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2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R

  • The Aru Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike launched their WorldSBK 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R.

  • Returning rider Chaz Davies is joined by newcomer and ex-MotoGP rider Alvaro Bautista.

  • WorldSBK 2019 marks the first time Ducati races with a V-Four bike.

It’s not only the season for wishing prosperity, it’s also when international race teams launch their teams for the 2019 season. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike team launched their 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R for WorldSBK 2019.

The team’s riders Chaz Davies and newcomer Alvaro Bautista will ride the new bikes in an effort to recapture the WorldSBK crown for Ducati. The Italian manufacturer had a stranglehold of the WorldSBK throughout the Nineties and it was through that championship that Ducati became a household name, before they ventured into MotoGP. However, they have not won a superbike title for the last seven years.

 

“We’ll be working with only one aim in mind: to win,” said Gigi Dall’Igna about Ducati Corse’s WorldSBK program.

The Ducati Panigale V4 R is also an important milestone for Ducati as it is their first V-Four-powered road bike. Indeed, the manufacturer created the Panigale V4 as their basis to win the WorldSBK title, and thereby breaking their long tradition of producing V-Twin superbikes. WorldSBK and World Supersport championships are production-based.

Make no mistake, the Ducati Panigale V4 R is a potent missile right out of the crate. On the other hand, the team and manufacturer are pragmatic in their approach.  “The project is still at an early stage and development has started auspiciously well, but we still have to perfect several details and we have a clearly defined development program,” added Dall’Igna.

Team rider Chaz Davies will spend his fifth year with the red bikes and is a regular hard charger. He’s not afraid to swap paint, rubber and leather with four-time and current WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea of Kawasaki.

Alvaro Bautista could prove to be the dark horse of the factory with his extensive experience and knowledge garnered in MotoGP. He may well score a few wins this season.

All pictures: Ducati and Asphalt & Rubber

  • Ducati introduced the 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R at the World Ducati Première 2019.

  • The 998cc engine produces 217 bhp, but the race exhaust brings it up to 231 bhp.

  • The new bodywork has winglets.

  • It weighs only 193 kg, fully fueled and ready to ride.

We expected the unveiling of the 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R during the Ducati World Première 2019 and it didn’t disappoint.

The Panigale V4 R is the homologation model for World Superbike and other production-based superbike racing series. Production racing calls for the race bikes to have certain similarities to the road bike. Therefore, manufacturers build a specific number of “homologation” models, based on their production figures. The Panigale V4 R fills these requirements.

Its engine capacity is limited to 1000cc as per the rules for V-Four and inline-Four powered bikes, as a result. However, the Panigale V4 R’s 998cc engine punches out 217 bhp and 112 Nm of torque. In the interest of superior power-to-weight ratio, it weighs only 193 kg, fully fueled and ready to ride.

Wait, hang on. 217 bhp not enough for you, sir? Well, you can always add on the Ducati Performance exhaust made by Akrapovic to pump it up to a vicious 231 bhp. That’s the same power output as the Kawasaki Ninja H2 – without the benefit of a supercharger.

The 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine in the Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S produces 212 bhp and 120 Nm of torque, by comparison.

2018 Ducati Panigale V4S Test & Review

The Panigale V4 R’s weight reduction is also the result of using lighter engine internals components. Ducati used forged pistons, titanium valves, titanium conrods, new camshaft and larger throttle body. The lighter components allow the Desmosedici Stradale R engine to rev higher to a maximum of 16,500 RPM. Peak power output is at 15,520 RPM, 2,250 RPM higher than the 1103cc engine.

A “manual” suspension system also reduces weight compared to the electronic system found on the Panigale V4 S.

DU 2018-09-19 1714 REV01

The updated electronics system includes a pitlane speed limiter, GPS-lap timer, besides the present IMU (Inertial Measurement System) based Cornering ABS and lean angle sensitive traction control, wheelie control, launch control, engine brake control and rear-wheel slide control.

The biggest news however, should be the winglets and new bodywork on the V4 R. The winglets represent Ducati’s intensive research and development in that area. The new bodywork also features large “gills” on both sides to aid airflow through the radiator.

DU 2018-09-19 1714 REV01

Its price should be released at the EICMA show later this week.

DU 2018-09-19 1714 REV01
  • The 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R finally broke its covers last weekend during the British Superbikes (BSB) round at Brands Hatch Circuit.

  • Demo laps were carried out by Ducati’s MotoGP test rider, Michelle Pirro.

  • The 1000cc Ducati Panigale V4 R will be making its racing debut next year in WorldSBK and BSB.

Image source: MCN

The recent British Superbike (BSB) round at Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent, England saw quite a few surprises thrown into the mix from championship winners being decided to a brand new race machine parade lap. The latter caught our attention as Ducati decided to debut the 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R and its 1,000cc V4 configuration for racing purposes. (more…)

The 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R has been caught testing in Jerez together with the Ducati WorldSBK factory team.

Built for racing and comply with the new WorldSBK rules, the R version will run a 1,000cc V4 engine.

Expect the Panigale V4 R to be launched in July during the World Ducati Week 2018.

While most of the international motorcycle media just got back from a very exciting 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 test ride session organised in Valencia, we’ve been getting a lot of questions on when and where the one-litre Panigale R race version will break its cover. (more…)

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