Launched back in 2016 as a replacement model of the 899 Panigale, the 959 Panigale became the most affordable superbike in the international lineup of Ducati until the brand launched the 939 Supersport earlier this year.

Still, the 959 is the most accessible track-focused bike from Ducati, and for 2018, this Italian is getting checked on by the folks who run the team’s MotoGP stunts. Better equipped and a fresh new paint job saw similarly with the 848 EVO Corse edition in 2023.

Ducati has been making a huge roar ever since they announced the launch of their 2018 models that include the mighty new Panigale V4, the Scrambler 1100 and the Multistrada 1260. And joining that party is this special 959 Panigale that gets the Corse treatment.

Unlike the V4 that is all about that four-cylinder engine, this 959 Corse still runs on the 955cc Superquadro-engine that develops 150 hp at 10,500 rpm and 79 lb-ft of max torque at 9,000 rpm. But that is not why we are here for.

The 959 Corse is unique because of its MotoGP inspired paintjob that signify the bike is always ready to race. The motorcycle gets kitted with the state-of-the-art suspension units from Ohlins that are multi-adjustable and are titanium-nitride treated which replaces the Showa and Sachs combo. 43mm Ohlins NIX30 fork at the front and Ohlins TTX36 shock-absorber at the rear.

Ohlins also provide its adjustable steering dampers that complete the front end variations from the standard 959. The bike also makes use of the MotoGP spec lithium-ion batteries and lightweight titanium Akrapovič exhaust units, all of which makes the Corse weigh 435 lbs, 5.5 lbs lesser than the standard 959.

The 959 Panigale Corse is fitted with an electronics package which includes three riding modes ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW).

No official pricing and availability to America have been dispatched, but the European version will retail at £15,895 ($20,000) from February 2018. That’s £1,900 more than the standard model.