DUCATI has begun drip-feeding out a series of videos showing the next chapter in the Superleggera story.
The DNA of a Superleggera version of one of Ducati’s sportsbikes is simple, remove the weight, cover it in carbon fibre, increase the power output and sell it high – really high! To get that last point out of the way, if you want a Panigale Superleggera – also called the Project 1708 – in your garage, you’ll need to shell out an eye-watering £70,000. That’s about the same as it would cost to buy a small flat in Birmingham, a lifetime supply of high-grade engine oil or 100 Euro trackdays, including fuel and flights. Now that’s out the way, let us take a look at the stats.
The key point of a Superleggera is weight; the literal translation of Superleggera is ‘superlight’ after all. And the new uber-bike from Ducati is not what you’d call fat, weighing in at a MotoGP chasing 152kg. Take that with a pinch of salt though as the quoted figure is dry, expect it to be nearer 170kg ready to ride. But still, that’s a featherweight number for a 1000+ sportsbike.
The gains made in this area are down to the extensive use of carbon fibre in the bodywork, winglets, mudguards and, of course, that tiny front frame. It’s not just the carbon goodies that help the Panigale shift the Christmas kilos though, the Öhlins NTX forks and TTX shock save 0.6kg. Even the top yolk is designed to help save weight, losing 112g over the stock item!
With the low-fat diet sorting the bike’s poise, it’s on to the next key element that helps plant the zeroes on the Ducati end of year sales report: Power! The new bike pushes out a face-distorting 224hp in standard trim and 234hp at a stratospheric 15,500rpm if the race kit exhaust is bolted on. The internals of the bike have been lightened, thanks to lightweight camshafts, screws and a new clutch.
For those that like a little more MotoGP with their exhaust note, the lucky (aka rich) recipients of the new bike will also get a full race kit exhaust courtesy of Akrapovic, all shipped in its crate. Further goodies in Panigale’s box include carbon clutch cover, bike cover, carbon swingarm cover, mirror block off plates and light covers.
You do have to ask the question though, with all this super-trick kit and parts made of unobtanium, who is actually going to ride one on the road?
