DUCATI: NEW Panigale V4S

Ducati’s just whipped the covers off its new range of Panigale V4s…

The Panigale’s been a big success for the Bologna-based firm over the past decade or so, winning over speed-loving lads and lasses who appreciate its race-winning heritage, sharp Italian styling, seriously sophisticated electronics, and top-level performance.

First released in 2011, Ducati’s Panigale has changed an awful lot over the intervening years – including a surprising switch from V-twin to V4 powerplant a few years ago – but the seventh-generation version takes things even further. 

The big news is that the much-loved single-sided swingarm has been dropped in place of a shell-cast aluminium double-sided number (with some large cutouts). Ducati claims it helps to reduce lateral stiffness by a mammoth 37 per cent and works to improve both traction and rider feel when you’re getting back on it as you exit a corner. Sounds good to us. 

That’s just the start. There’s plenty more going on, including sharper, narrower front styling and neatly tucked away mirrors. The front end’s been raised slightly, while the back’s been dropped – and the tail’s been made a bit longer, too. There’s a new aerodynamic front mudguard which has benefitted from the research being doing on Ducati’s MotoE prototype racer.

The engine’s been tweaked, too. A big part of that will have been to help it meet impeding Euro5+ emissions regulations, but somehow Ducati’s also made the 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine 1kg lighter in the process. The 216bhp of peak power’s now achieved slightly further up the rev range (at 13,500rpm), and the only compromise is that peak torque’s slightly down to 89.2lb-ft (and achieved higher up the revs at 11,250rpm) compared to the previous model. It’ll be no slouch – but if you want even more, then there’s also the option of adding the lighter-weight, aftermarket, track-only, Akrapovic exhaust system to take the power figure up to a heady 224.9bhp. 

There’re forged aluminium rims, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4 tyres, and the V4 gets some fully adjustable Showa springs up front and a Sachs monoshock at the rear. The V4S gets some top-notch electronically assisted Öhlins NPX-30 forks and a TTX 36 shock. Stopping for both is looked after by a pair of Brembo’s new four-piston Hypure calipers (which are 30g lighter than its much-loved Stylemas), grabbing 330mm semi-floating discs. There’s a single 245mm disc at the rear with a two-piston caliper. 

And then there’s also the Race eCBS keeping an eye on things. It’s an interesting addition; developed in partnership with Bosch which works to ‘encourage’ a touch of rear brake to help the bike corner even better than before. 

There’s a load more electronic goodies, too, all navigated using the new 6.9-inch full colour TFT dash. A new six-axis IMU will be busy managing the rider modes, traction control, wheelie control, slide control, and launch control – and there’s an all-important up/down quickshifter, too.

We’re barely scratching the surface of all the changes to the latest generation £24,395 Panigale V4 and £29,995 Panigale V4S, but based on figures alone, we’re confident it’s going to go very well indeed. We’ll be bringing you our thoughts as soon as we’ve had a chance to go for a blast. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait too long.