Superleggera V4: Ducati’s flagship superbike

By Bike Review • 5 years ago

Feb
2020

With 234hp and weighing in at 159kg, the Superleggera V4 is the fastest and most technically advanced production bike Ducati have ever built...

Ducati’s Panigale V4 superbike is a monster of a machine; elegant in design with next-level performance from it’s iconic V4 motor. Now Ducati has taken it one step further, unveiling the Superleggera V4. But if you haven’t put a deposit down, you’re probably too late…

The Superleggera V4 is the most powerful and technologically advanced production superbike Ducati have ever built, and the specifications certainly don’t disappoint. It has a dry weight of just 159kg – 16kg less than the Panigale – with an extensive use of carbon-fibre, titanium and magnesium components, including the Superleggera’s carbon-fibre frame, which is a work of art.

Not only did the frame go on a diet, but so did the motor, weighing 2.8kg less than the Panigale’s V4 motor! The 998cc 90° V4 motor that powers the Superleggera, the Desmosedici Stradale R, produces 10hp more than that of the Panigale’s superbike’s 1,103cc V4, with the Superleggera bringing in a staggering 224hp without any modifications or the supplied race pipe.

Much of the reason the new Superleggera is so light is the extensive use of carbon fibre and other lightweight materials.

When fitted, the weight of the bike drops to 152.2kg and boosts the power figure to 234hp, increasing the bike’s power-to-weight from 1.41hp/kg to 1.54hp/kg!

The Superleggera also boasts some other impressive features, such as the ‘biplane’ aerofoils that were inspired from the 2016 Ducati MotoGP bikes. Ducati says that these wings can guarantee a downforce of 50kg at 270km/h, a whopping 20kg more than the downforce created by the aerofoils on the latest Panigale V4 models. The downforce helps the bike to accelerate, countering the bike’s natural tendency to pop up the front wheel, and increases stability when braking.

Other important performance parts on this machine include a lighter Öhlins suspension system, with a pressurised fork and lighter machined aluminium fork bottoms, a titanium shock spring and GP-derived valving that improves damping of bumps during the initial compression stage.

To be certain that this machine has enough stopping power to keep up with the sheer performance it is capable of, Ducati uses Brembo brakes, with an MCS caliper featuring a remotely adjusted lever gap and Stylema R callipers, exclusive to the Superleggera V4, to provide greater front-brake stroke consistency in long track runs.

Underneath the carbon fibre bodywork reveals more of the Superleggera’s carbon fibre frame and new V4 motor.

The bike also comes with an extensive electronics package that includes three different riding modes, ABS with cornering functionality, traction control, slide control, wheelie control, power launch, quick-shift and engine brake control. The electronics package also includes a whole host of other functions such as a pit timer, lap timer, data analyser, multimedia system and 5in HD colour instrumentation.

The Superleggera superbike is strictly limited to 500 models and the lucky customers will pay a pretty penny for this machine. Deliveries are due to start In June at a rate of five bikes per day. By the looks of it we will by lucky enough to have the opportunity to test the Superleggera, so stay tuned!

2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 Superbike Specifications

www.ducati.com

Price: TBA
Claimed Power: 165kw (224hp)@15,250rpm
Claimed Torque: 116Nm (85.6lb-ft)@11,750rpm
Dry Weight: 159kg
Fuel Capacity: 16L

Engine: Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4, 81 x 48.4mm, 998cc, 14.0:1, 4-2-1-2 exhaust system w/ two catalytic converters and two lambda probes.
Gearbox: Six speed with quick-shift.
Clutch: Hydraulic slipper dry clutch.

Chassis: Carbon-fibre Front Frame, carbon-fibre single-sided swingarm
Rake: 24,5°
Trail: 100mm

Suspension: 43mm lightened fully adjustable Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurised fork, fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 with GP valving and titanium spring.

Brakes: 2x330mm rotors (f), radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Stylema R 4-piston callipers, 245mm rotor (r), 2-piston calliper.

Wheels/Tyres: 5-split spoke carbon fibre, 3.50 x 17in (f) – 6 x 17in (r), Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP, 120/70 x 17in (f) – 200/60 x 17in (r)

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1,480mm
Seat height: 835mm

Instruments: TFT 5″ HD Colour Digital Instrumentation