The Ducati Panigale V4 R has been launched at a starting price of Rs 69.90 lakh, it is offered in two variants: Standard and Racing.

It is the most powerful Panigale in the line-up and borrows components from the WSBK and MotoGP bikes. At the heart, is the powerful 998 cc, Desmosedici Stradale R engine mated to a six-speed gearbox that churns out a whopping 215 bhp of power at 15,500 rpm and a peak torque of 111.3 Nm at 12,000 rpm.

The company has considered the potential demand for more power and is offering two upgrades to bump it further. The company offers an Akrapovic exhaust unit that hikes the power output to 234 bhp. It also offers a performance-oriented engine oil developed with Shell that claims 10 per cent less mechanical friction, it can make the engine rev up to 16,500 rpm.

The bike gets new components derived from WSBK and MotoGP bikes, which includes a new clutch with smaller axial length and diameter, new pistons with DLC coating, new intake camshafts, new piston geometry, and new ‘gun drilled’ connecting rods, to name a few. These new components help in reduced friction, shedding weight and improve lubrication.

The suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable Ohlins NPX 25/30 USD forks for the front section and Ohlins TTX 36 for the rear. Brembo Monobloc Stylema M4.30 callipers do braking duties at the front with a dual 330mm disc setup and a 245mm single disc at the rear. The height of the tail section has been increased by 20 mm by moving the swing arm pivot point to achieve a higher centre of gravity to increase nimbleness in corner entry and quick changes in direction.

The Ducati Panigale V4 R comes with a suite of electric nannies and ride modes. Four ride modes are on offer: Full, High, Low, and Medium. Each mode has a different calibration of throttle input, the low mode limits the power to 157 bhp. The rider aid list includes traction control, launch control, wheelie control, slide control, cornering ABS, quick shifter, and auto tyre calibration, to name a few. All this information is relayed on a crisp 5.0-inch TFT display.

The bike tips the scales at 172 kg, has a wheelbase of 1,471 mm and a seat height of 830 mm. It comes with 17-inch Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres and a fuel tank of 17 litres.

For more updates, download the Park+ app!

By: Sumesh Soman