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Surprise, Surprise, AMG Ends Partnership with Ducati
  The ink on the $1 billion deal that sent Ducati motoring over to Audi’s ownership is still not quite dry yet, and AMG, Mercedes-Benz’s performance group, has officially ended its “marketing relationship” with Ducati. Ducati and Benz officially announced the shared marketing deal back at the 2010 LA Auto Show, but AMG just couldn’t keep the deal moving now that Audi, a direct competitor, owns the brand. First off is the awkward timing of the announcement, as the Diavel AMG – a Ducati and AMG collaboration bike – just hit showrooms. Audi hasn’t made an announcement regarding the AMG collaboration bike, but it’s likely to remain until all of the units are sold. Honestly though, this looks almost like AMG is dropping the shared marketing plan out of spite by saying “The company takeover by a rival car manufacturer has understandably resulted in the end of any further collaboration.” Maybe we’re reading too much into it, but this is reminiscent of a teenage argument over whom is whose best friend and you can be friends with her because I don’t like her. Honestly, with all of the mergers and collaborations that go on in the automotive and motorcycle realm, why would AMG really car if its rival car manufacturer bought a bike manufacturer that it shares advertising with. There has to be a little more to the story that will surely come out at some point. Audi officially buys Ducati
 After months of rumors and speculation, Audi has officially confirmed the acquisition of the Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. The acquisition was approved today in Hamburg and will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities. While it hasn’t been confirmed just yet, rumors say that Audi paid approximately €860 million, or $1.13 billion at the current rates, in order to buy Ducati. This is a fabulous deal considering Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some €480 million (about $631 million at the current rates), employing around 1,100 people. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: "Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi."
Diesel Ducati Monster Launched
Believe it or not, Ducati has launched a Diesel Monster 1100 EVO. Trust us though, it’s not what you think. When we say Diesel, we’re speaking of the Italian clothing brand that sponsors the Ducati Team in MotoGP and has also launched a Ducati apparel collection so that riders can look fashionable on their new bike. The 2012 Ducati Monster 1100 Evo was launched alongside the apparel collection on March 15, 2012 at the Diesel store in Soho, New York City. Ducati calls the bike "urban military chic." The exclusive ’Diesel Brave Green matte’ paint on the tank and rear fairing delivers a rugged military vehicle feel, especially while set against the black that covers almost every other part. To pay homage to the bike’s racing heritage, the shock and the Brembo calipers are painted yellow. Expect this bike to set you back a cool $13,795. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think of the 2012 Ducati Monster Diesel 1100 EVO. 2012 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO
When it comes to the Hypermotard 1100 EVO, Ducati has adhered to a tried-and-tested formula grounded on minimalism and functionality. The Hypermotard’s unique and innovative design stands out head and shoulders above the competition, highlighted by a distinctive beak that blends into the stylish headlamp fairing, making it an instantly recognizable bike. Couple that with a carefully shaped tank that tapers into a skinny waistline and you have a bike that looks and feels like a proven winner. When the bike was first shown in concept guise at the 2005 Milan Bike Show, it represented the creation of a new segment that bridged the gap between refined sportbikes and minimalist supermotards. Despite initial reservations on the look of the bike, Ducati signed off on the production of the Hypermotard, driven by the belief in the upright and in-control riding position of a dirtbike, but not the harsh characteristics of its single cylinder engine. In the end, the Hypermotard has proven to be a popular choice among Ducati aficionados. From the sturdy look of the Marzocchi front forks to the Ducati signature single-sided swingarm and underseat exhausts, the Hypermotard’s design remains unique and pure Ducati. The result is a bike that’s not only easy to handle, but also offers unbelievable agility, incredibly sure-footed handing, and a flexible engine that can tackle any road. Find out more about the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO after the jump. Full story
2012 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP
From a concept bike that wasn’t initially well received, the Ducati Hypermotard has evolved into a really special machine, spawning the 1100 EVOSP Corse Edition that injects some real racing fervor into the Hypermotard concept. With a higher ground clearance than the standard model, a top-spec suspension, higher bars, and the aggressive Corse colour scheme, the Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP is ready to rip up the racetrack in an instant. The Hypermotard concept created an innovative segment that bridged the gap between hyper-sports bikes and supermotards. In essence, it took the high speed handling and smooth engine from a hyper-sport bike and combined it with the aggressive styling, lightweight minimalism, and slow corner precision of a supermotard. Whereas the Hypermotard created a new market unto itself, the 1100 EVO SP has taken that concept and given birth to a true favorite among extreme riders. With those people looking for a bike that provided extra beef and more functionality, especially in extreme conditions, the Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP offers plenty of riding characteristics that extreme riders enjoy. The combination of a 1100 L-Twin engine with an improved chassis are only two of the most important traits of this bike. It’s no wonder that Ducati has made this bike one of the most important in its roster. Not only has it morphed into a true prized ride, it has also turned the attention of those that had initial skepticism about it. In the end, the Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP has become a true extreme wonder bike, and in so doing, has given Ducati enthusiasts even more reason to love the brand. Find out more about the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP after the jump./i> Full story
2012 Ducati Monster 696
The name pretty much says it all as far as this Ducati super bike is concerned. The Monster 696 is a true beast of the open road, complete with a ’less-is-more’ philosophy that underlines Ducati’s never-ending pursuit of a genuinely compact, high performance motorcycle. Every single component of the Monster 696 has been redesigned and redeveloped to adhere to the tried-and-tested adage of form following function. The Monster’s radical styling has also provided the inspiration for an entire after-market sector specializing in hot-rod parts for this legendary machine. For this reason, rarely do you see two Monsters the same. In terms of performance, the Monster 696 is no slouch. It comes packed with a 696cc L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled engine that produces inane levels of power and torque numbers. To complement the unbridled rage of the Monster 696, Ducati put in an APTC ‘wet’ clutch that gives a ‘slipper’ type action, preventing destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic or during longer journeys. Meanwhile, the 21-plate oil-bath clutch (11 friction and 10 steel) represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the ‘dry’ system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance. The new crankcases hug the gearbox internals much closer to create a smaller and more compact outer profile and achieve considerable weight savings over previous cases. Find out more about the Ducati Monster 696 after the jump. Full story
2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale
Ducati has finally unveiled at this week’s EICMA Show in Milan the much-anticipated 1199 Panigale superbike. The new model finds its roots in the Borgo Panigale (pronounced "Pan-ee-gah-lee") area of Bologna - an Italian territory known as "Motor Valley". The new model will go on sale in early in 2012 in three different versions: Panigale $17,995, Panigale S - $22,995, Panigale S equipped with ABS $23,995(USD) and Panigale S Tricolore $27,995. The new 1199 Panigale weights only 418 lbs and is powered by a re-designed V-twin engine with an output of 195 HP and 361.5lb of torque. This output will transform the Panigale into the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet. The bike will be offered with the latest-generation sports ABS system, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), Ducati Quick-Shift (DQS), Ducati’s new race-derived Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW). "Throughout our long and successful twin-cylinder history of racing, Ducati has never built a sportbike as advanced as the 1199 Panigale," said Claudio Domenicali during the official presentation. "We are moving into a new generation with a ’revolution’ of the species that establishes new limits for the category. Its Desmodromic heart, the new Superquadro engine, is the most powerful twin-cylinder ever produced and represents the base of a new concept of frame and engine integration." 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848
Italian bike manufacturer, Ducati, is expanding its street bike line-up by introducing the latest member of their family, the 2012 Streetfighter 848. With the likes of the BMW F800R and the Yamaha FZ8 in the market, Ducati is looking at the Streetfighter 848 to enter the fold and provide some stiff competition for its rivals. The bike is built using the company’s own steel trellis frame to go with components that include an adjustable inverted fork, a pair of Diablo Rosso Corsa tires, and radial-mount Brembo brakes. Ducati also announced that the Streetfighter 848 will carry the Ducati Traction Control, a system that we’re all familiar with in both the company’s Multistrada and Diavel lines. The Streetfighter 848 will be powered by the company’s very own 848 Testastretta 11 engine that produces an output of 119 horsepower and 63 lb/ft of torque. The bike is expected to hit the market by the start of next year and will be offered in a number of options, including three different color schemes: Ducati red, yellow, and matte black. 2012 Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition
Those of you who follow the automotive industry already know that AMG and Ducati are not at their first partnership. And when things go in the right direction you should always expect to see more than just one thing coming from a collaboration. The Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition is the latest, but of course not the last, development from Ducati and Mercedes AMG. This special edition is based on the Diavel Carbon and features AMG’s signature 5-spoke wheel styling, carbon fibre lateral radiator grills with aluminium trim, AMG-style sport exhaust system with engraved end-caps and AMG-style horizontally ribbed seat upholstered in Alcantara. The model comes painted in matte black carbon fiber bodywork with AMG’s very own “Diamond White Bright” stripe and frame color contrasted with black wheels. Also, every engine has its Desmodromic cam-timing set by hand and authenticated with the name of the engine technician engraved on the left-side engine casing. The model will make its world debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and will be available in early 2012.
Peg Perego Ducati Mini Motorcycle
Kids are probably winding down from their summer vacation, but there’s still time to get in on a little bit of fun before returning to school. So, what can you do? Round out the summer with a little Ducati motorcycle produced by Peg Perego. The Ducati mini motorcycle is designed for children from the age of 6 years and up, and can hit a top speed of about 10 mph. Remember, it’s your children’s safety we are talking about here, so a helmet is mandatory! There are five different bikes to choose from, each carrying the same color scheme as their bigger brothers. All of them are powered by a 24 volt battery. And if your child has just turned two or still under the age of six, there is also a three-wheeled Ducati Desmosedici Rider and Desmosedici to take up a little of their time as well. | featured reviews:Ducati motorcycles reviews2012
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Ducati motorcycles
