Ducati has announced the launch of its hardcore performance-based Panigale V2 which will be succeeding the 959 Panigale. This would be the first BS6 offering from Ducati. Bipul Chandra, the managing director at Ducati India emphasized the excitement among Indian enthusiasts for the “ultimate superbike”. The company has also begun pre-bookings with a token amount of Rs 1 lakh with deliveries underway just after its launch. The bike is scheduled to be launched in India on 26 August.
Ducati Panigale V2: About the Bike
Let’s have a look at what this motorcycle has on offer for its, much expectedly, premium price tag.
Design
Talking about the front of the motorcycle, it looks pretty similar to its predecessor 959 Panigale with projector headlamps sitting deep in the fairing lined by V-shaped daytime running lights. The company looks to emphasize on its beefy yet compact design language thus focusing on both aesthetics, ergonomics, and convenience.
The Panigale V2 does strike lie on the newer side in the design spectrum. The back which is taken from the higher end V4 seems like a major upgrade over the 959. It also comes with a longer and thicker seat for comfort. The exhaust comes from V4 as well.
Features
It comes across as a siphoned down V4 on the feature front. It has a 6 axis IMU from Bosch which adds in wheelie control and cornering ABS. An IMU (inertial measurement unit) is a specific type of sensor that measures angular rate, force and sometimes magnetic field.
In order to provide the customers with the option of choosing the desired ride type, it is offered with three ride modes- Race, Sport and Street.
It also comes with Ducati’s latest traction control, bi-directional quick-shift and Ducati’s Engine Brake Control. What really grabs attention is the 4.3 inch TFT information display which comes from the V4.
Also Read: Ducati Planning To Launch Three Bikes In India By The End of 2020
Engine
The motorcycle is powered by 955cc, Superquadro 90 degree V twin engine which has higher displacement figures with slight improvements in maximum power and torque figures as well. All with a Euro V/ BS6 compliance. The engine produces 155 PS of maximum power at 10,750rpm (an increase of 5 PS over 959) and a torque output of 104Nm at 9000 rpm (an increase of 2 Nm). With a more efficient air intake in place Ducati claims that V2 claims 60% of torque consistently over 5500 rpm.
This 955c beast comes paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The V2 is offered with important additions like a slipper clutch and bi-directional quick shifter are provided as standard.
Underpinnings
Although the frame is largely identical to that of outgoing 959 (monocoque frame), one major noticeable change is redesigned rear sub-frame (done to accommodate raised tail section). The suspension, except for a few minor changes essentially is the same unit that was offered with the 959, which means that this bike gets adjustable 43mm Showa big-piston forks at the front and a Sachs monoshock at the rear (as compared to 959, it features softer shock setting on pre-load at the rear.)
As far as the braking system is concerned, the bike features a Brembo braking system with M4.32 Monobloc calipers activated by a radial brake master cylinder. The bike gets a 320 mm disc at the front and 245 mm disc at the rear.
Pricing
Considering the price of 959 Panigale and also taking into consideration all the additions on the V2 with the BS6 compliance, a price hike of around a lakh above the predecessor is quite natural, with which we expect the V2 to be offered at somewhere around the Rs 17 lakh price bracket.
