Ducati expands its Panigale lineup and replaces its “1299” with a new model that's meant to take over as the new apex-predator – the Panigale V4 – and the new Panigale V4 S Corse builds on that platform with a race-worthy package. Not only does it closely resemble the MotoGP version with much the same look and equipment, it doubles down with the factory race team's unmistakable colors in its unique livery. Lest there be any confusion on this point, let me be clear; this is not a wannabe/poser machine. It doesn't waste any weight on the road-legal gear that's rather superfluous on a racebike, and it's intended for the closed-circuit and proper road-courses only. However, no expense was spared in the ride-control electronics department, and the robust suite makes this a veritable marvel on two wheels.

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 S Corse Design

The Panigale family has long been full-on superbikes, and the V4 S “Corse” is no exception with windtunnel-tested body panels and fairings that are meant to maximize penetration and minimize drag along its length. A blunt nose fairing houses a pair of recessed headlights complete with DRLs, but the standoff mirrors and turn signals on the street-legal V4s were some of the first bits to hit the cutting room floor.

Ram-air ports at the inboard edge of the light recesses feed pressurized air to the intake tract. The volumetric efficiency curve is fairly flat below 100 mph, but once you get there you will enjoy an effect not unlike that of a turbocharger, just a little weaker.

On top, a clear bubble-screen punches a hole in the wind to form the rider's pocket, but only for those who tuck in all the way. Clip-on bars and a fuel tank that slopes downward at the front helps toward that end by giving you plenty of room to lean forward.

The 4.23-gallon fuel tank bears the typical upper shoulders and knee pockets that narrow the trailing end where it meets the waist to enable the side-to-side body English for you fiery-eyed knee draggers out there. An upswept subframe lofts the tail with a deep swale for the saddle that pulls you down into the bike to aid with the man-to-machine integration.

The rear end is enclosed by a tail fairing, and it looks like there's a pillion pad hidden beneath, though I can't imagine why; I certainly wouldn't want to be on the back of such a machine. A pair of thin LED lights take care of all the rearward lighting in style while keeping weight and bulk to a minimum. The Ducati Red paint is broken up by blue, white and silver graphics to make that crucial connection to the official race bike.

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 S Corse Chassis

Ducati takes the stressed-engine design to the Nth degree with an aluminum-alloy front frame that bolts directly to the engine and doesn't directly touch the rear of the frame that mounts the swingarm pivot. The steering head establishes a rake angle of 24.5 degrees with four inches of trail to establish some agile geometry. In back, another chunk of framing bolts up to the integral transmission case to mount the rear suspension and the single-side aluminum swingarm. Not only does this framing method keep weight down, but it also delivers a rigidity you just don't get from a “proper” frame.

Öhlins provides all of the suspension components with a set of inverted, 43 mm, NIX30 forks up front and a TTX36 monoshock in back, plus a steering damper on the front frame that absorbs kickback and contributes to stability. The suspension at both ends is fully adjustable and comes stock with the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 automatic suspension control that dynamically tunes itself based on conditions.

Forged-aluminum Marchesini rims round out the rolling chassis with a light, triple-spoke design. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP hoops make the connection to the pavement with a 120/70-17 up front opposite an extra wide, 200/60-17, and the rubber comes with a ZR rating that'll tolerate top speeds and hard cornering.

Dual, 330 mm discs and four-piston, Brembo Stylema M4.30 calipers haul down the front wheel with a 245 mm disc and twin-piston caliper out back. The monobloc construction provides a stable anchor for the pads with no flex or give in the system. A corner-sensitive Bosch ABS EVO feature measures the inertial forces working on the chassis and calculates the available traction so it can modulate the level of intervention so as to not break the rear wheel loose.

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 S Corse Drivetrain

Power comes from a liquid-cooled, Desmosedici Stradale plant that runs with four cylinders set in a 90-degree “V” configuration to the tune of 214 horsepower at 13 grand and 91.5 pound-feet at an even 10 grand. An 81 mm stroke and 53.5 mm stroke gives the mill its 1,103 cc displacement, and the compression ratio is almost beyond belief at 14-to-1. That said, I doubt you can run anything but proper racegas in this thing. It rocks a quartet of poppets per cylinder with Ducati's signature Desmodromic valvetrain that replaces the traditional valve springs with a pull-closed cam. It's a more complicated system, but it also prevents the harmonic valve-float inherent with the spring closure method.

A rearward-rotating crankshaft keeps the front wheel planted, and this is probably why there are no spoilers on the front end; it doesn't need them. Elliptical throttle bodies manage the induction with variable-length funnels that deepen the torque well so the torque starts to develop lower in the rpm range.

Each cylinder has dual injectors that help maximize fuel atomization for complete, efficient combustion. Emission control gets a boost from a pair of catalytic converters and lambda sensors in the exhaust system. A slipper-style clutch couples engine power to the six-speed transmission for an extra layer of protection at the rear contact patch. Ducati's Quick Shift feature lets you shift both up and down the range without touching the clutch or even easing off on the throttle for blistering fast acceleration and controlled engine braking.

The ride-by-wire throttle sends the signal from the right grip, but that's just the beginning of the engine management. The electronics suite bundles the Ducati Power Launch system, Traction Control, Wheelie Control, Slide Control and Engine Brake Control together with variable delivery Power Modes for complete control of the bike and its impressive performance profile.

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 S Corse Pricing

The 2019 Panigale V4 S Corse rolls for $29,995 to make it the second most-expensive entry in the top-displacement range. It comes in the racing livery as the only color option.

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 S Corse Competitor

Bikes like the Panigale V4 s Corse can be hard to shop for, but I think Norton has the answer in its race-tastic V4 RR that the builders claim is “THE TT racer reborn,” so let's get to it.

Norton skips the flashy livery and keeps it both bespoke and basic with a black carbon-fiber finish that nevertheless speaks to a machine that's focused on performance. The front fairing shares the ram-air feature with the Corse, and it looks like it spent just as much time in the windtunnel.

A bubble screen and clip-on bars form the same sort of rider's triangle, too, and when you factor in the race-style solo seat, it's clear that the Norton is built for the same kind of customer. Norton takes the adjustability of the frame geometry to the next level with an adjustable steering head and an adjustable swingarm pivot, so point for the “RR.” Öhlins' adjustable suspension is a clear winner all around since that's what the Norton uses as well.

Power comes from a 1,200 cc, 72-degree V4 plant with a claimed, if vague, 200-plus horsepower on tap against a very specific, 214 horsepower from the Duc. If you actually plan on hitting a track, the Norton has as an available option a full-titanium race exhaust that drops almost 20 pounds from the tally, but delivers another 10 ponies.

If Ducati has a clear advantage at any given point of comparison, it's in the ride-control electronics department that is far more robust than that of the Norton. Technically, Ducati gets a win at the checkout as well against the $35,000 Norton, but I mean, at this price point, what's another five grand?

He Said

“No doubt, this is a hell of a machine, and is probably beyond most of us as far as skill requirements go, but the fact that it's a track-only bike will act as something of a firewall to keep the posers and wannabes away. That said, Ducati doesn't disappoint with this, the new standard for its superbike line, and this ride is second only to the limited-edition “Speciale” model.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “This is a tippy-toe bike for a lot of folks, but it's surprisingly comfortable. Yeah, you're leaned over a bit, but your legs aren't as tight as you might expect. The exhaust sound is nice and the quick-shifter is awesome. I dunno what to say. This whole V4 line is really impressive and the V4 S Corse is probably as close as some folks will come to a real MotoGP bike.”

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 S Corse Specifications

Further Reading

Norton V4 RR

See our review of the Norton V4 RR.

Ducati 1299 Panigale R FE

See our review of the Ducati 1299 Panigale R FE.

Ducati Panigale V4 / V4 S / V4 Speciale

See our review of the Ducati Panigale V4 / V4 S / V4 Speciale.

Ducati

Read more Ducati news.