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."
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.
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.
Over the years, Ducati has built a pristine reputation as one of the best motorcycle manufacturers in the world. They’re expensive as heck, too, but that’s besides the point. The point here is that it doesn’t take a lot to make a Ducati bike an eye-catcher, but if you’re really trying to hit for the fences and going a tad overboard is an open option, then maybe you’ll find these special edition 1098 and 1198 Ducati bikes suitable for your palette.
Designed by Danish artist, Kristian van Hornsleth, these special edition bikes have been dressed up in 10 unique – and that’s saying it lightly –paint schemes, all of which fall under Hornsleth’s “Kill Me Fast” series.
We don’t know how appropriate the name is given that these machines are about as close to a death ride for the reckless as it can get– a 0-60 mph time of under three seconds and a top speed of 198.8 mph does that to you – but considering the meticulous detail and flashiness of the designs, there’s something mysteriously alluring about these bikes.
Not that we can afford one, but hey, we can settle for everything short of actually buying one, including needlessly looking at the photos far longer than we should. Check them out and you might end up doing the same.
The guys from Radical Ducati have developed one of the most impressive bikes ever. It’s called the RAD 02 Corsa Evo and is a higher performance, track going version of the RAD 02 Corsa. The "02" moniker refers to the fact that the bike can be used both as a race or trackday bike.
The RAD 02 Corsa Evo eliminates the seat and the rear body found in the original motorcycle, and gets a unique composite part in their place. Radical has also changed the "old" rear subframe for one that is lighter and smaller. The bike also gets a custom 4.2 kg aluminum frame, subframe, and swingarm, as well as a lighter rear subframe and a redesigned front fairing.
The only thing the model has in common with the previous Corsa is the fuel tank which Radical Ducati says was too perfect to change. The RAD 02 is powered by an ST3 engine - the same three-valve desmo found in the sport touring model, but specifications have yet to be revealed.
