VOL. 52 ISSUE 18 MAY 5, 2015 P59
So when can we expect a
desmo Audi sportscar?
That's something that is
probably pretty appealing for
them. I know Mr. Piech [the VAG
chairman] is very interested in
the desmo system, so we are
exchanging information about it
with Audi. I think it's too early to
say if and when they'll use it, but
let's just say it's a nice topic for
discussion!
For any mechanical engineer
the Desmo system is quite inter-
esting, because it overcomes
certain restrictions on valve train
design. It's complex and expen-
sive to manufacture, and costs
more to produce than a normal
valve spring system, but due to
continuous improvement I think
we are now able to produce a
desmo system at quite reason-
able cost. But for sure perfor-
mance-wise it's the only alterna-
tive to pneumatic valves, which
you cannot use on a production
vehicle. So using it on a cus-
tomer product gives the same
potential as a Formula 1 valve
train system, while also offering
advantages at low speed where
it gives much reduced friction.
Must all Ducatis be desmo
in future? Since by definition
a desmo motorcycle engine
must be more expensive to
manufacture than a conven-
tional valve spring one, is
there a lower capacity limit
for future Ducati products. Or
maybe a lower price limit?
I think generally speaking
Ducati and desmo are synony-
mous with each other. In terms
of engine capacity or price levels
below which we won't go…
there is not a very precise point.
But the future for the company is
one in which we are not fighting
for volume, so we will not look
into model sectors which would
allow the company to grow to
double or four times its present
size simply in terms of units.
We do indeed want Ducati to
grow, but we can obtain organic
growth based on serving the cus-
tomer better with more exciting
products, expanding our range,
and better serving new markets
such as India, for example, where
we are in the process of opening
our own subsidiary.
Will you follow the lead of
Harley-Davidson and others in
establishing your own factory
in India, at least to assemble
CKD kit motorcycles made in
Bologna?
