Ducati Panigale V4 R, a motorcycle with a Superbike engine and MotoGP-level figures

It is undeniable that in recent years, in the world of two wheels, the safe bet has been red, the colour of Ducati, and the Borgo Panigale brand takes practically every step of the podiums, the top places in the rider and manufacturer standings, and therefore all the headlines. This small Italian factory with a long and storied history behind it has managed to beat the Japanese giants with an iron fist at practically any circuit, also raising the level of engineering in competition.

Ducati is the brand to copy in the main competitions such as MotoGP and Superbikes, but also in road motorcycles. If they were always exclusive motorcycles with an impressive design, with the recent successes they have gone a step further, also becoming the most technological and advanced when it comes to engineering and aerodynamics. Ducati has taken all the knowledge acquired in competition and applied it to its road bikes; an example of this is the new Panigale V4 R, which takes Ducati’s sports motorcycles to the very top.

Ducati Corse itself, the brand’s competition department, has worked closely on the development of this Panigale V4 R, something we can see reflected in its engine, creating an evolution of the 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R, which serves as the best possible technical base for the World Superbike Championship and which, in addition, represents a homologated production version of the MotoGP Desmosedici. To reach this level of perfection, this evolution features lighter pistons and a crankshaft with greater inertia, all while adapting to the strict Euro5+ standard, with changes such as a complete redesign of the intake side with new exhaust cams that optimise combustion, and the new position of the injectors to increase efficiency at low revs.

With these changes, the Desmosedici Stradale R engine in the new Panigale V4 R now delivers 218 CV at 15,750 rpm, a figure achieved with the standard exhaust line, which slightly limits its power due to Euro5+ regulations. If the racing exhaust line is fitted, power rises to 235 CV and, if we use Ducati Corse Performance oil, we can go a little further still and reach 239 CV. With these power figures the Panigale V4 R undoubtedly stays at the top to remain the reference in the sector, and in fact, at its maximum power it reaches a top speed that until now was reserved only for MotoGP bikes: 330.6 km/h. Impressive.

Even the gearbox now fitted to the Ducati Panigale V4 R is based on competition, featuring a more racing character. Thanks to the Ducati Racing Gearbox, neutral sits below first gear, as in MotoGP and Superbikes, instead of between first and second gear as on any road motorcycle. It also incorporates the Ducati Neutral Look system, which eliminates the possibility of accidentally selecting neutral and thus avoids being left without engine braking at the final phase of a first-gear braking; although this system can be disengaged from the handlebar with the specific lever for this system, riders will still have to perform the same manoeuvres as in MotoGP and Superbikes to select neutral.

On the chassis side, the Panigale V4 R adopts the solutions already presented on the latest Panigale V4, such as the redesigned front frame with 40% less lateral stiffness and the hollow symmetrical swingarm. As for the suspension, the front axle is equipped with Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurised forks with 43 mm diameter stanchions, as well as a rear Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber, not forgetting the new Öhlins SD20 steering damper; all of them adjustable so that we feel at ease on any circuit and in any riding situation. We also cannot forget the Brembo Hypure brakes with 330 mm discs on the front axle, or the 17-inch wheels with 120/70 ZR front and 200/60 ZR rear tyres, these being the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP v4.

As on any Ducati, the Panigale V4 R is also very well equipped electronically. It incorporates a new Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) algorithm developed directly by Ducati Corse. This translates into new performance-focused combined braking strategies called Race Brake Control, together with the DVO application, allowing a rider, like a professional, to delay braking right up to rear-wheel lock in a predictable and progressive way, so that it is safe for the rider. All of this can be managed through the 6.9-inch display already presented on the Panigale V4, with Track and Road display modes along with a View graphic interface showing performance and bike status information. It is worth noting that the Panigale V4 R has a specific track view called Grip Meter, which helps the rider reach maximum performance by graphically showing the estimated grip available at that moment.

Aesthetically, if you don’t see the model name and don’t know much about the subject, you might think you are looking at a standard Panigale V4, but there is one great detail that sets it apart. In this respect, the Ducati Panigale V4 R is the first production motorcycle to feature Corner Sidepods, which were developed in 2021 for the MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici. They generate aerodynamic forces that allow a faster passage through corners and therefore better lap times, which for the rider translates especially at high speeds into a clear feeling of the bike moving naturally inward once it reaches the centre of the corner, closing the line and making the acceleration phase begin on a tighter radius.

The Ducati Panigale V4 R will arrive at European dealerships first, specifically from next November, while in the United States and other countries it will follow one month later.