SparkChronicles Trusted California News Portal
As we wrote to you a few days ago, in the ninth and final episode of the Ducati World Première 2022 web series, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer unveiled the new Panigale V4 SP2: a special motorcycle in a numbered series, designed to fully experience the passion for driving on the track, further elevating the performance of the Panigale V4.
Exclusive ready-to-run
There Panigale V4 SP2 it stands out for its standard equipment with the typical technical specifications of the abbreviation “SP” (Sport Production) which combine with all the improvements made by Ducati engineers on the Panigale V4 2022 to create the most performing Panigale ever.
The “SP2” version, specifically, has an even more high-performance braking system, light carbon rims, final drive and dry clutch inherited from WorldSBK bikes, racing footpegs and a series of carbon components. The bike is also delivered with a kit for track use, which includes machined from solid aluminum caps for removing rear-view mirrors, a kit for removing the license plate holder and open carbon clutch cover. The end result is “The Ultimate Racetrack Machine”: a special model, ideal for the non-professional rider who wants to experience the track days by challenging his own records.
Winter Dark
The Panigale V4 SP2 is aesthetically characterized by dedicated “Winter Test” livery, in which the matte black of the fairings is combined with the matte carbon finish of the rims and wings, contrasting with the bright red accents and the brilliance of the exposed brushed aluminum tank. The wings with double profile design are embellished with the Italian flag which also appears on the official Panigale V4 R SBK. The lower part of the fairing is distinguished by the insertion of the Ducati Corse logo in the area of the new hot air extractors and by a red detail bearing the name of the bike, also present on the black saddle in double material. The steering head is machined from solid and shows the progressive number of the bike, making each model unique.
Desmosedici Stradale
The heart of the Panigale V4 SP2 is the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale from MotoGP: a V4 with counter-rotating crankshaft endowed with a lot of torque right from low revs and capable of expressing the racing soul of the bike on the track. For 2022, the Desmosedici Stradale has improved with the introduction of some dedicated technical elements, which have made it possible to increase its power and improve its response to gas.
Thanks to these interventions and a new dedicated mapping, the engine now delivers 215.5 HP at 13,000 rpm, with a power increase of 1.5 HP compared to the Panigale V4 2021, which rises to 2.5 HP above the peak. of maximum power at 14,500 rpm. To exploit the full potential of this engine, dedicated torque curves have been developed gear by gear and four different Power Modes (Full, High, Medium, Low). The Full and Low configurations are newly developed, while the High and Medium configurations use a new strategy.
When used on the track, the performance of the Desmosedici Stradale can be further improved with the new racing exhaust completely in Ducati Performance titaniumdeveloped in collaboration with Akrapovič and available as an accessory.
This exhaust is equipped with high silencers alongside the tail and has been redesigned to increase performance and limit noise, offering everyone the opportunity to run with the full racing exhaust even on circuits with the most stringent sound limits. With this exhaust the Panigale V4 SP2 is lightened by 5 kg thus bringing the dry weight of the bike to only 168 kg. The Akrapovič exhaust also ensures a power increase of 12.5 hp, bringing the maximum value at 228 hp, while the maximum torque value rises to 131 Nm. The link with the bikes that race in the Superbike World Championship is even more evident in the “SP2” version of the Panigale V4. To the more “track oriented” gearbox already presented on the Panigale V4 2022, in fact, this bike adds the lightened final drive with 520 chain and the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch. This clutch guarantees a more effective anti-hopping function when using the bike on the track and greater fluidity in all “off throttle” phases compared to the oil bath clutch of the Panigale V4 S. The STM-EVO SBK clutch offers in addition, the ability to customize the “mechanical” engine brake level by choosing a different secondary spring from those available in the Ducati Performance accessories catalog.
Electronics
The Panigale V4 SP2 has an electronic package that includes controls that manage all the driving phases, whose operating parameters are connected by default to the 4 Riding Modes (Race A, Race B, Sport, Street). All the electronic parameters of the bike can be clearly displayed thanks to the dashboard and in particular to the “Track Evo” display mode, derived from the one used in MotoGP. In this screen, the rev counter moves on a horizontal scale positioned in the highest part of the instrument, that is the most visible, and the indication of the gear engaged is in the center of the screen. In the right area of the display there are four different colored sectors, each dedicated to an electronic control (DTC, DWC, DSC, EBC). These sectors light up individually when the electronics are working on a certain parameter, remaining on for the time necessary for the pilot to identify which indicator has been activated. This signaling mode facilitates the pilot’s task in understanding the control that has actually worked to allow him to intervene more precisely and punctually on the choice of the optimal level and to obtain better performance more quickly. The left sector completes the information with the stopwatch, the number of laps completed and the speed.
On the “SP2” version it is the GPS module is standard which allows the activation of the automatic Lap Time function, which instantly provides the indication of two split times of the track on which you are lapping. Furthermore, by loading the Slick Ducati Performance Software (available as an accessory), Ducati Traction Control curves expressly developed for slick and rain tires are available and the possibility of memorizing the coordinates of five different tracks is activated, as well as five additional Riding Modes. fully customizable. Finally, thanks to the Ducati Data Analyzer, standard on the SP2, it is possible to carry out an in-depth analysis of all performance data.
The chassis
The chassis of the Panigale V4 SP2 includes an aluminum front frame that uses the Desmosedici Stradale as a stressed element. The aluminum swingarm and the seat post in shell cast aluminum are directly connected to the engine. The pivot of the swingarm is positioned in such a way as to increase the anti-squat effect, that is the reduction of the sinking of the rear when exiting the corners and when reopening the throttle, stabilizing the bike in acceleration. The suspension system features an electronically controlled 125 mm Öhlins NPX25 / 30 pressurized fork at the front that uses a pressurized cartridge damping system derived from that of racing forks. This fork, in combination with the Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber and with the electronic steering damper, also Öhlins, forms the second generation of the Smart EC 2.0 system characterized by OBTI (Objective Based Tuning Interface) logic which, working “for objectives” and not by click, it allows the pilot a much more intuitive management than traditional systems. To further enhance the performance on the track and the dynamic qualities of the Panigale V4, the “SP2” version is equipped with the prestigious 5 split-spoke carbon wheels1.4 kg lighter than the aluminum forged ones of the Panigale V4 S. The carbon rims guarantee a significant reduction in the moment of inertia (-26% at the front, -46% at the rear) to the advantage of agility, lightness in changes of direction and greater ease in closing curves.
The details
The Panigale V4 SP2 is also equipped with the exclusive front brake calipers Brembo Stylema R, which guarantee high braking power combined with exceptional consistency of performance even during a long timed session without changing the stroke of the brake lever. The pliers are operated by one Brembo MCS radial master cylinder (Multiple Click System) that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the wheelbase on three configurations to customize the braking feeling. The front brake lever is equipped with the “remote adjuster” device, which allows you to adjust its position by acting on a knob on the left grip, as is the case on racing bikes. Finally, on the “SP2” version the brake and clutch levers are milled at the ends to reduce air resistance. Another important element that characterizes the Panigale V4 SP2 is the equipment with Rizoma footpegs in anodized aluminum with carbon fiber heel guards. The footpegs are fully adjustable and maximize ground clearance for more effective use on the track. These footpegs offer great grip to the boots, indispensable in driving at the limit on the circuit, further contributing to a completely redesigned ergonomics in 2022 with the new shapes of tank and saddle, designed to improve control and make the most of the performance of the Panigale V4 and on a single lap and during a prolonged session.
Availability and price
The bike is available in single-seater configuration in the “Winter Test” livery from March 2022 in Ducati network dealerships at the price of 39,500 euros.
