Ducati Teases New Model Unveiling at Laguna Seca WSBK Round
Ducati released a video teasing a new model to be unveiled at the July 7 World Superbike round at Laguna Seca. The video, titled “When the End Tells the Whole Story,” offers a few tantalizing glimpses of the new model which we suspect to be a final edition version of the Ducati Panigale R.
The R model is the only Panigale still using the 1,198cc Superquadro engine, supplanted by the 1299 Panigale and Panigale S in using the 1,285cc engine. Ducati claims the same 202 hp peak power output, but the 1299 engine reaches that peak a little earlier while claiming an extra 6.2 lb-ft. of torque.
However, racing homologation would limit Twins to 1200cc, so as long as Ducati wants the Panigale R to remain its WSBK competitor, it would have to stay below that displacement limit. But with Ducati rumored to be working on a new V4 model, this new model is likely to be some kind of “final edition” version of the 1199 Panigale R, which could explain the title of the video.
The headlights, taillights and bodywork all look similar to the current 1299 Panigale models. The exhaust, however, resembles the Akrapovič exhaust found on the 1299 Superleggera. The SL’s twin exhausts are mounted high, under the tail, unlike the underslung single exhaust found on the 1299 Panigale or the current 1199 Panigale R. This is significant as the Superleggera is Euro 4 compliant whereas the current 1299 and 1199 Panigales are not, and we expect this exhaust to be used across Ducati’s superbike range going forward.
While the teaser video only shows red and white bodywork, a teaser image reveals the new model will sport green for an Italian tricolore color scheme.
We’ll have more information as it becomes available, leading up to the July 7 reveal at Laguna Seca.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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The bigger news story is that Harley is lining up to buy DUCATI.