The Ducati Panigale V4 R is aimed to meet the norms
of the road-legal WSBK category. WSBK
requires the motorcycle to have a displacement below 1,000cc. The current
Panigale V4 is equipped with a 1,103cc.
Similar to the current Panigale V4, the R version
uses technology taken directly from MotoGP. Apart from a new engine and
suspension set-up, the Panigale V4 R also gets a new fairing that is designed
and developed by Ducati Corse, in collaboration with Ducati Style Centre, to
improve aerodynamic efficiency. The new fairing also incorporates the aerofoil
appendages (or winglets) that are aimed to increase stability throughout the
ride and to reduce reliance on electronic controls.
The Desmosedici Stradale 1,103cc engine has been
replaced with the 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R to comply with displacement
limits set by WSBK rules. Unlike the larger V4, the 998cc Desmosedici Stradale
R is tuned to offer extreme performance as power delivery has been designed
with the track in mind. It’s lighter than the V4S, tipping the weighing scale
at 193 kg (kerb)/173 kg (dry). The lower displacement did not compromise on the
power output. In fact, the engine on the Panigale V4 R delivers a 221 hp of
power at 15,250 rpm.
The performance figures can go further higher with
the full-racing Ducati Performance exhaust by Akrapovič, boosting the maximum
power to 234 hp at 15,500 rpm, making the Panigale V4 R the most potent Ducati
factory motorcycle ever.
