Ducati has revealed its 2020 model year lineup, which includes, among others, three all-new motorcycles, namely, the Streetfighter V4, the Panigale V2 and the Panigale V4.
The latter gets a series of revisions for 2020 that the Italian brand claims make for “a more user-friendly, less fatiguing ride”. The updated bike is also reportedly faster “not just on individual laps but over entire timed sessions.”
Having analysed feedback received from both customers and Superbike World Championship events, Ducati and Ducati Corse engineers have made a number of aerodynamic, chassis, electronic control and Ride by Wire mapping changes – all designed to increase stability and turn-in speed.
Externally, the refreshed bike is now equipped with elements taken from the V4 R race bike, starting with the aero pack that includes winglets, a higher and more angled Plexiglas screen, a higher and wider (+15 mm per side) nose fairing and wider lateral fairings (+38 mm per side), and more efficient side vents that increase air through-speeds on water and oil radiators by 6% and 16% respectively.
Interestingly, the winglets, working in unison with the fairing design, are claimed to increase overall downforce by over 30 kg at 168 mph.
In terms of key chassis changes, the new V4 shares the same “front frame” as the V4 R, albeit with modified stiffness “to give better front-end ‘feel’ at extreme lean angles.”
Additionally, suspension geometry has been modified to improve handling. For example, the fork mounting has been lowered by 4 mm and the rear shock shortened by 2 mm. The changes have resulted in a 5 mm higher bike centre of gravity, which, according to Ducati, means the bike “is swifter at the drop-in and arrives at the apex faster.” A higher rear end is also claimed to increase the chain force angle, which leads to “an anti-squat effect and, therefore, greater bike stability during acceleration.”
Powering the 2020 Panigale V4 is a 1,103 cc V4 Desmosedici Stradale motor that is claimed to deliver 211 bhp at 13,000 rpm and a torque of 91 lb-ft at 10,000 rpm.
The same engine powers the Streetfighter V4 variant, which is essentially a Panigale V4 stripped of its fairings and equipped with high, wide handlebars – the line of its V-shaped daytime running light is claimed to have been inspired by the menacing grin of Joker – yes he of Batman fame!
Both the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 get ‘S’ versions too, which are differentiated from the regular models by way of all-black Marchesini forged wheels and electronic Öhlins suspension (they’re also the versions shown in our gallery above).
