New Ducati Panigale V4 Spy Shots Leaked
Is Ducati prepping an even higher-spec Panigale V4?
Despite the fact Ducati has hit it big with the Panigale V4R this year, racking up numerous World Superbike victories with Alvaro Bautista (and, let’s be honest, likely the 2019 WSBK title), it appears as though Ducati isn’t done with the Panigale V4, as these spy photos Motorcycle.com has received would indicate.
From these lo-res photos it looks like the Panigale in question here is the V4S – or some variation of it. The major indicator being the fairing shape and its lack of cutouts or heat extractors, as seen on the top-shelf V4R. This would mean we’re dealing with the 1103cc version of the V4. The setting is clearly a track test, and judging by the large number 1 on the front and side number plates, either Ducati is already getting cocky about the 2019 WSBK title or is honoring its past WSBK triumphs. We’re going to guess it’s the latter.
While it would be easy to dismiss these photos as one of the many Ducatisti simply changing the graphics on their Panigale V4 and hitting the track, something seems… different here. The obvious one being the rider fully decked out in Ducati gear – a strong indication this is an official Ducati test of some sort. Apart from the special livery, other notable tidbits we can see include magnesium wheels, Öhlins suspension (hard to tell whether they’re electronic or not from these photos), and possibly a taller windscreen.
Digging into the MO conspiracy machine, a little math tells us it’s been 25 years since Ducati’s favorite Brit, Carl Fogarty, won his first WSBK title. A quarter century is a notable milestone, and what manufacturer doesn’t like celebrating milestones? Peeking at the photo of the rider on track, and maybe it’s just me, but it seems as though those are Foggy’s distinctive piercing eyes glaring through the clear faceshield. Could this be an anniversary model? If so, expect something special – and rare – to come soon. Of course, we’ll have more information as it becomes available.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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At first glance the #1 reminded me of the 888 SPO (althoigh on the fairing and not the tail obviously). If it was testing or a shakedown I would doubt they would have full Ducati leathers and the final graphics. Perhaps this is actually part of a promo shoot. If it is Foggy that would be cool but he already is working with CCM these days so I am dubious and he would probably have a helmet similar to when he raced.
But for the bike, my guess is this could be a new Corsa model. A mixture of V4S & V4R, but mostly S. I would be very surprised if it did not have electronic suspension. Carbon V4R-esque bodywork would probably help justify the $33k price tag ($1000 per year Ducati has competed in WSBK as of 2020 :) )
Lot of assumptions being made in this article with little more then speculation. I am no where near as well read on Ducati as I am with Ferrari (Lamborghini being Ducati's true owner, aside). While a new superleggera v4 is undoubtedly in the works, I cannot help but wonder if Ducati might be planning a lower tier superbike v4, to replace the 959. Perhaps an 899 or even a 750 v4?