AS IF the Ducati 1199 Panigale R wasn't enough, the firm will introduce a 'Superleggera' version before the end of 2013.
The Superleggera (meaning superlight in Italian), is an invite-only lightweight version of the already extreme Panigale R.
However the Superleggera will come with a £60,000 price-tag, making the £26,550 Panigale R look like a budget option.
The Superleggera will be limited to 500 units in total and features the state-of-the-art electronics package derived from the Ducati Corse WSBK setup. It's thought the Superleggera has been developed with the new WSB EVO and Superstock 1000 racing category in mind, giving teams a 'base' bike that comes with a class-leading electronics package and ultra-lightweight components. BMW's HP4 is another example of a heavily-tweaked standard model, produced in limited numbers to give an advantage in 'stock' racing.
The Superleggera shares some similarities with the £80,000 Panigale RS, the bike only available to top racing teams and features an all-carbon-fibre fairing and the monocoque frame is made from ultra-expensive, lightweight magnesium. The Superleggera is thought to produce 200bhp at the crank and weigh 15kg less than the R, tipping the scales at 180kg wet.
The different between the Superleggera and the full-factory RS is that you might see a Superleggera on the road, making it by far the most expensive Ducati road bike ever made.
