Ducati V4 R: all the details of the Borgo Panigale "monster".

After the official presentation during EICMA 2018 Ducati is ready to officially launch the new V4 R on the market, the arrival at dealers is expected within days, but first let's delve into some interesting technical features of the new motorcycle made in Bologna.

The Ducati V4 R, essentially, is a track bike approved for road use, it will in fact be the weapon with which the Borgo Panigale company will try to defeat Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki in the World Superbike championship. Everything on the V4 R is extreme, from the internal components of the engine, to the 'winged' fairing, up to the power distribution, but let's proceed in order.

The Ducati V4 R engine

Compared to the first version presented last year, equipped with a 1.103 cm3 engine, the new bike is powered by the 998 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale R engine with an extreme character and a sharp delivery designed for track performance. It is essentially an engine closely linked to the one used in MotoGP. It is capable of delivering 221 HP (162 kW) at 15.250 rpm and a torque of 112 Nm at 11.500 rpm, numbers that become even more incredible if the full-racing Performance by Akrapovič exhaust is fitted which brings the power maximum at 234 hp (172 kW) at 15.500 rpm. The 4° V90 is rotated backwards by 42° and the firing order is “Twin Pulse” type (essentially it replicates the firing sequence of a twin-cylinder). As on the Desmosedici MotoGP, the shaft is counter-rotating, therefore equipped with an idle wheel which returns the correct rotation for the direction of travel. The crankshaft, forged in steel, is moved by 4 titanium connecting rods, which each weigh 100 grams less than those mounted on the Panigale V4. The pistons are molded in aluminum with a single oil scraper profile and exploit the "box in box" technology which allows the height of the skirt and the thickness under the crown to be limited. The 4 camshafts have dedicated profiles and move the sixteen valves characterized by higher lifts compared to the Desmosedici Stradale. The valves are equipped with titanium half-cones, while the oval throttle bodies have an equivalent diameter of 56 mm and are connected to variable height intake ducts.

Dry clutch Ducati V4 R

Given the power of the engine, the clutch is also designed to guarantee maximum performance and, as for MotoGP, it is a dry clutch. In detail, it is an STM EVO-SBK, made of aluminum from
full with bell and 48 tooth disc pack. The discs are 9 ducted and 9 lined with a diameter of 138
mm. This guarantees a more effective anti-hopping function and allows the possibility of customizing the level of "mechanical" engine braking by choosing a different secondary spring from those available in the Ducati Performance accessories catalogue. Thanks to the Ducati Quick Shift up/down system the clutch will only be used for starting and stopping.

Ducati V4 R fairing

Probably the aspect that stands out most at first glance is the presence of the fins on the hull, but analyzing various aspects in detail, in reality, the hull is full of interesting features. It starts with the Plexiglas fairing, higher and with greater incidence which improves the protection of the rider in the fairing from the air. The side fairings have also been widened to improve aerodynamic efficiency. The efficiency of the lateral vents has also been improved, thanks to which it has been possible to accelerate the speed of the air flows passing through the radiators. The last 'gem' are precisely the fins, very similar to those that Ducati used in MotoGP on the GP16, which guarantee, together with the screen, a vertical load of 30 kg at 270 km/h.

Ducati V4 R suspension

On a motorbike created for 'extreme' use, the suspension department could not be entrusted to just any products, in fact, in collaboration with Öhlins, specific exclusive suspensions were designed. At the front it is equipped with the new Öhlins NPX 25/30 Ø 43 mm pressurized fork, with TiN treatment of the legs, which uses a damping system derived from racing forks. This allows the problem of oil cavitation to be reduced to a minimum. At the rear there is the mechanically adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber.

Ducati V4 R electronics

On a powerful 'monster' like the Ducati V4 R, the electronics represent a fundamental tool for the management and safety of the motorbike. Based on the use of the 6-axis Bosch inertial platform (6D IMU – Inertial
Measurement Unit) includes: ABS Cornering Bosch EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO , Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO. The motorbike is equipped with TFT instrumentation (a high resolution screen), pit limiter, a lap timer integrated into the dashboard, the Ducati Data Analyzer + GPS (DDA + GPS), which allows you to evaluate the performance of the motorbike and rider , graphically presenting specific data channels and the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), through which it is possible to accept incoming calls, select and listen to a song and receive SMS notifications.

The Ducati V4 R will be available in dealerships between December and January in the "R" livery with exposed aluminum tank. The price will be 39.990 euros.