Say hello to the Ducati Superleggera V4, a
limited-run superbike capped at just 500 units worldwide and perhaps one of the
most striking motorcycles ever conceived. Powering the Superleggera V4 is a 998
cc V-four engine that delivers 231 hp when outfitted with the available
Akrapovic exhaust system for track use or 220 hp in road-going spec. It’s not
just the engine that makes the new Ducati special.
The Italian manufacturer designed the Superleggera
V4 to be the world’s first production motorcycle with its entire load-bearing
structure crafted from carbon fiber, including the frame, subframe, wheels, and
the single-sided swingarm. Also making the bike stand out are the sharp
aerodynamic carbon fiber wings on the fairings that deliver 50 kg of
downforce at 270 km/h to improve stability in high-speed corners
while also reducing the likelihood of the front wheel lifting off the ground
under heavy acceleration. The wings also improve braking stability.
All up, the Ducati Superleggera V4 weighs
just 159 kg dry in standard form and just 152.2 kg with the
optional Racing Kit, providing it with the best power-to-weight ratio of any
street-legal motorcycle.
Elsewhere, the superbike includes a light
Ohlins suspension system with a titanium shock absorber and GP-derived valves
that improve the damping during the initial compression stage. There are also
Brembo brakes featured and a special radiator cap machined from solid aluminum
and a new ignition key that denotes the chassis number of each bike.
Ducati will only build 500 examples with
deliveries set to start in June 2020.
