Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/872564
DUCATI UNVEILS NEW V4 SUPERBIKE ENGINE I n a special ceremony at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Ducati took the wraps off its brand new V4 superbike engine for the Panigale V4, dubbed the Desmosedici Stradale. The hugely anticipated new engine will see an end to the twin-cylinder superbike motor that has long been the DNA of Ducati, and comes from the company's involvement in Mo- toGP, where they have campaigned a V4 engine format since their arrival in the series in 2003. "It's with undiluted pride that we unveil this technological gem. It represents the start of a new chapter for our company, underlining our vitality and an unshakeable commitment to investment in new products," said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, during the presentation of the Desmosedici Stradale. "This engine also highlights the close collaboration between Ducati Corse and the factory bike development team, proving just how instrumental racing can be in developing the tech- nology that is later applied on production bikes. In November, at EICMA, we'll be showcasing the new Panigale V4, an all-new motorcycle powered by this extraordinary engine." The numbers make for heavy reading: 210 horsepower at 13,000 rpm, 88 lb-ft of torque at 12,250 rpm, all in an engine that weighs only a claimed 4.8 pounds more than the current twin- cylinder 1285cc Superquadro motor that powers the 1299 Panigale at 143 pounds. There will be two iterations of the motor, one an 1103cc version with more torque aimed at the road rider and a 999cc version whose sole require- ment is to win the WorldSBK title (four-cylinder engines must remain below 1000cc in WorldSBK competition). That motor will not be available for competition until the 2019 season, so Chaz Da- vies and Marco Melandri will once again campaign the twin-cylinder motor next season. The Desmosedici Stradale will become one of a select number of road machines with a counter- rotating crank, just as in MotoGP (the MV Agusta F3 800 is the only other production machine to use this method). The crank pins are offset at 70° which give the new V4 a Big Bang firing order (two pistons firing together), mimicking the behavior of a V-twin. Ducati has kept is signature 90° layout but rocked the engine in the chassis back 42° from horizontal to optimize weight distribution and allow the designers to use larger radiators and move the swingarm pivot forwards. Inside the engine itself sits the same 81mm bore as the MotoGP machine (coupled with a 53.5mm stroke), with the same valves, variable intake ducts and 52mm throttle body dimensions, and of course, the use of Ducati's trademark Desmo- dromic valve actuation system. The power gets transmitted to the road via a six- speed gearbox equipped with the Ducati Quick Shift system that allows for up and down clutch- less shifting. Despite the racetrack pedigree, Ducati claims the new Desmosedici Stradale inside the Panigale V4 has a 15,000 mile service life. CN IN THE WIND P50 Ducati's new engine will signal a different direction for the company's sportbikes, one more closely linked to the MotoGP program.