Ducati Panigale V4

The 2020 version of the Panigale V4 and V4 S boosts performance even further and takes track riding to the next level for amateurs and pros alike. A series of refinements make for an easier, more user-friendly, less fatiguing ride while simultaneously making the bike faster not just on individual laps but over entire timed sessions.

Several significant upgrades were implemented, to bring them closer to the the World Superbike ready V4 R.

The Aero Pack provides enhanced airflow protection and improves overall vehicle stability, enhancing confidence. The Front Frame, instead, modifies stiffness to give better front-end 'feel' at extreme lean angles. Ducati and Ducati Corse engineers have crunched the feedback/data numbers from customers all over the world and Superbike World Championship events. Their analysis has led to a series of aerodynamic, chassis, electronic control and Ride by Wire mapping changes: designed to increase stability and turn-in speed, these changes make it easier to close corners and ensure riders enjoy more confident throttle control.
 

The Panigale V4 aerodynamics package includes:
- Plexiglas screen, nose fairing and larger lateral fairings
- More efficient lateral vents for radiator through-air
- Aerofoils

New changes for top performances

The Panigale V4 MY2020 features new, specially developed Ride by Wire system mappings with several torque delivery control settings. Track-dedicated RbW mapping aligns rider demand with delivered torque more closely, resulting in smoother, more predictable throttle response. The new torque delivery control strategy lets the rider stabilise more easily on the desired throttle aperture through and out of the corners. Additionally, linearization of torque curves in gears I, II and III varies according to the selected Power Mode to minimise stability loss during acceleration.

MotoGP performance

The Desmosedici Stradale was developed to combine racing performance with all the necessities for road use. To maximise mid-range torque - so important for the enjoyability of motorcycles on roads open to traffic - and to achieve torque and power at slower speeds, the engine has a larger displacement than the MotoGP version, specifically 1,103 cm³. It delivers a power output of more than 155 kW (210 hp) at 13,000 rpm and a maximum torque of over 120 Nm (12.2 Kgm) from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm in the Euro 4 version.

V engine

For Ducati, the V4 layout at 90° is the utmost expression of sportiness for a motorcycle engine. It is no coincidence that it is the same solution used in the MotoGP Desmosedici engines. The 90° V layout of the cylinders creates a natural balancing of first-order forces without the need to resort to a balance shaft to eliminate the vibrations that notoriously entail increases in weight and power absorption.

In addition to this primary benefit, which is extremely important for the reliability and mechanical efficiency of an engine that reaches rotation speeds greater than 14,000 rpm, there are others that make the configuration chosen by Ducati the most technically refined.

Compared to a classic in-line four-cylinder, the lateral compactness of the V-engine allows greater centralisation of the masses and makes it possible to limit the weight on the front end of the bike. Furthermore, the shorter crankshaft generates a smaller gyroscopic effect.

All these aspects have a positive impact on the bike's dynamics, helping to make it light and fast when changing directions. The large space available between the V of the cylinders made it possible to position the water pump and have a large volume airbox (12.8 litres) to allow the Desmosedici Stradale to breathe better.

Chassis

The Panigale V4 is equipped with a 43 mm Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) that provides fully adjustable spring pre-load and compression and rebound damping. The fork bodies house chrome sliders with Brembo radial caliper mountings. A Sachs steering damper completes the front-end package. At the rear there is a fully adjustable Sachs shock absorber, one side of which is attached to the Desmosedici Stradale engine via a forged aluminium bracket.

The Panigale V4 S, instead, mounts an Öhlins NIX-30 fork, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock absorber and an Öhlins event-based steering damper. On this version suspension and steering damper are controlled by the second-generation Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 system which, among other things, features the new OBTi (Objective Based Tuning Interface).

On both versions, fork and single-sided swingarm have softer, less pre-loaded springs, resulting in more efficient use of suspension travel to even out pits and ripples on the asphalt. The combination of reduced fork stiffness and higher pre-loading gives better dive control during braking, resulting in easier, more intuitive turn-ins, especially for the less expert rider.

Wheels and tyres
While the Panigale V4 mounts cast aluminium 5-spoke wheels, the Panigale V4 S is equipped with 3-spoke forged aluminium alloy wheels.

Braking system

The Panigale V4 range features Brembo Stylema® monobloc calipers, developed out of the already high performance M50 calipers.

Stylema® calipers, machined from a solid aluminium alloy block, have lightening zones on the body and attachment bushings; compared to the M50, these zones make them visibly more compact and lighten each caliper by 70 g without affecting stiffness. Other improvements on the internal ventilation front have made for more consistent efficiency.

Because of their extreme stiffness, Stylema® calipers offer outstanding hydraulic efficiency; this means riders can count on excellent braking responsiveness, limited brake lever travel and first-rate 'feel'.

The dual Brembo calipers, each mounting four 30 mm pistons, bite down on 330 mm discs to give exceptional braking power. At the rear, instead, the system mounts a single 245 mm disc with a 2-piston caliper. Braking is aided by the ABS Cornering EVO system, which uses the ultra-light 9.1MP control unit.

Latest-generation electronic controls
The Panigale V4 features a latest-generation electronics package based on a 6-axis inertial platform which instantly detects the bike's roll, yaw and pitch angles.

The electronics package oversees every aspect of the ride: some controls supervise start, acceleration and braking, others govern traction and others again lend a helping hand on corners and out-of-the-corner stretches.

- ABS Cornering EVO
- Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
- Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
- Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO
- Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
- Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2
- Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
- Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) EVO

The operational parameters for each of these controls are associated by default with the three Panigale V4 Riding Modes. Riders can personalise parameters to suit their riding style or restore Ducati factory settings. DTC, DWC, DSC or EBC control levels can be adjusted quickly via the left switchgear.

Ducati Riding Mode strategy
Riding Modes provide users with three different pre-set riding styles (Race Riding Mode, Sport Riding Mode, Street Riding Mode) so that Panigale V4 performance can be adapted to the rider, the nature of the track/route and weather conditions. Changing the Riding Modes instantaneously changes the character of the engine, the electronic control parameters and, on the S version, the suspension set-up too. Riders can, of course, personalise parameters to suit their riding style and subsequently restore Ducati factory settings.