DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R MY 2019 is here!

December 4, 2018 0 By The Editor

DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R MY 2019

The DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R is the ultimate road-legal Ducati race bike. Compared to the previous R
version, the Panigale V4 R is even more specialised. The modifications extend far beyond the
engine and suspension set-up: for the first time they also include an Aero Pack designed directly
by Ducati Corse in close collaboration with the Ducati Style Centre to improve on-track
aerodynamic efficiency.

The Panigale V4 R is a road-legal WSBK category racing bike and constitutes the technical
platform for the official Ducati Superbikes that will compete in the 2019 season. The new
Panigale V4 R merges the essence of the Panigale V4 S with the specific changes requested by
Ducati Corse to make it race-competitive. The 1,103 cm3 90° V4 engine has been replaced with
the 998 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale R which brings it within the displacement limits established
by WSBK championship rules. The bike features a new fairing incorporating wings elements of
MotoGP origin. It also has race-grade Öhlins suspension with mechanical adjustment and an
aluminium swingarm with an adjustable four-position axle. Moreover, the Front Frame has been
modified to achieve the stiffness targets set by Ducati Corse. Sophisticated electronic controls
borrowed from the Panigale V4 S now have revised threshold levels to make them more
compatible with pro rider requirements.

Unlike the 1,103 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale, designed to provide fluid power delivery and excellent
low-rev pulling power for optimal road use, the 998 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale R version offers
more extreme performance as power delivery has been designed with the track in mind. The
Desmosedici Stradale R features lighter internal components and greater air intake efficiency:
this allows faster engine rev-up and shifts the rpm red zone higher to improve acceleration. The
result is 221 hp (162 kW) of power – which responds instantaneously to throttle movements – at
15,250 rpm (EU homologation values), 2,250 rpm higher than on the 1,103 cm3 V4.
As in MotoGP, where all that matters is maximum performance, the Panigale V4 R features a dry
clutch. This gives greatly improved ‘feel’ during braking and through the corners, allows
personalisation of the degree of ‘mechanical’ engine braking and is characterised by that iconic
mechanical rumble which Ducati fans find irresistible.

It’s not just the racing-inspired livery that makes the Ducati Panigale V4 R unmistakeable. An eye catching
aerodynamics package requested by Ducati Corse includes screen, nose fairing and side
fairings to reduce drag. It also features specially shaped air vents to reduce working
temperatures during intense racing use. GP16-derived carbon fibre wings augment stability at all
times, reducing electronic control intervention and boosting rider confidence, helping him keep
the throttle open longer and brake later going into the corner.

The suspension system has been optimised for track use. Both the steering damper and the
Öhlins suspension mount mechanically adjustable top-drawer components. More specifically, the
brand new pressurized NPX 25/30 front forks take as-standard Öhlins components to new
heights. The rear TTX36 shock absorber completes the package.

Ducati Panigale V4 R MY 2019 – Full technical specifications

Colour – o “R” livery with aluminium tank

Main as-standard features:

o 90° Desmosedici Stradale V4, R version, 998 cm3, 221 hp (162 kW) at 15,250 rpm
o Forged steel crankshaft with reduced stroke
o Moulded aluminium pistons with single compression ring plus oil ring
o Titanium con rods
o Titanium intake valves
o Oval throttle bodies (Ø 56 mm equivalent) with aerodynamic valve
o Dedicated variable-height air intake horns
o Exhaust manifolds of optimised length
o Cylinder heads with larger intake ducts
o High-permeability Sprintfilter P08 air filter
o STM EVO-SBK dry clutch
o Lightened, optimised-stiffness aluminium alloy Front Frame
o Pressurized Öhlins NPX 25-30 forks with manual adjustment
o Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber with manual adjustment
o Öhlins steering damper with manual adjustment
o Single-sided aluminium swingarm with adjustable pivot height (4 positions)
o Total Black Marchesini forged aluminium wheels
o Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres (rear 200/60)
o Braking system with Brembo Stylema® monobloc calipers
o Aero Pack with carbon fibre wings
o 16-litre aluminium fuel tank with racing lay-out
o Carbon fibre front mudguard
o Carbon fibre rear manifold heat shield
o Dedicated seat
o 15/42 final transmission with 520 chain
o Full-TFT 5” screen
o Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Street)
o Electronics package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU) including:
ABS Cornering Bosch EVO; Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC EVO); Ducati Slide
Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO); Ducati Power Launch
(DPL); Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO (DQS EVO); Engine Brake Control EVO
(EBC EVO).
o Pit Limiter
o Lap Timer EVO
o Keys for fast selection of controls
o Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
o Full-LED headlight with DRL
o Single-seater configuration
o Ducati Data Analyser (DDA+) with GPS module
o Lithium-ion battery
o Supplied: aluminium mirror hole covers, plate holder removal kit

Ducati Panigale V4 R – Desmosedici Stradale R engine

The Desmosedici Stradale R – the link between the 1,103 cm3 V4 on the Panigale V4 and the
MotoGP engine – takes the performance limits for a road-legal engine to unprecedented
heights. Originally designed to compete in the Superbike championships, this engine has now
undergone numerous changes that make it even more like the one used in MotoGP.
The Panigale V4 R engine can deliver 221 hp (162 kW) at 15,250 rpm and 112 Nm of torque at
11,500 rpm (EU homologation values). It has a 14:1 compression ratio and the rev limiter is set at
16,000 rpm (16,500 rpm in sixth gear). These figures – impressive for a 998 cm3 engine – can be
taken even higher by fitting the full-racing Ducati Performance exhaust by Akrapovič, which
boosts maximum power to 234 hp (172 kW) at 15,500 rpm.

Like the Desmosedici Stradale, the R version is a 90° V4 with cylinders banked 42° back from the
horizontal, a Twin Pulse firing order and a counter-rotating crankshaft*. Designed to be a fully
stressed member of the vehicle, the engine retains a bore of 81 mm while stroke has been
changed to 48.4 mm thanks to the new forged steel crankshaft which moves four titanium con
rods with a centre-to-centre of 104.3 mm: each one is 100 g lighter than the steel ones used on
the Panigale V4.

Pistons are made of moulded aluminium, have a single compression ring plus an oil ring and take
advantage of “box in box” technology: this contains both skirt height and below-chamber
thickness, helping to reduce attrition and inertial loads while maintaining the necessary strength
and stiffness.

Featuring dedicated profiles, the four Desmosedici Stradale R camshafts provide increased lift
with respect to the Desmosedici Stradale and move the sixteen valves (Ø 34 mm titanium intake
valves, Ø 27.5 mm steel exhaust valves). The valves feature titanium half-cones, a solution
usually adopted only on racing bikes. Dedicated fluid dynamic design of the R engine cylinder
heads has led to the development of new, larger intake ducts.

The new crankshaft – 1,100 grams lighter than the one on the Panigale V4 – is mounted on brass
bushings and retains the 70° crank pin offset together with the 90-degree V engine layout. This
solution generates what Ducati calls a Twin Pulse firing order, because it’s as if the engine were
reproducing the firing sequence of a twin-cylinder. The distinctiveness lies in the fact that the
two left-hand cylinders fire closely together, as do the two right-hand ones. On the timing chart,
the ignition points are, then, at 0°, 90°, 290° and 380°. This particular firing order makes the V4
sound just like the MotoGP Desmosedici.

The Desmosedici Stradale R engine gulps in air through oval throttle bodies and aerodynamic
throttle openings (Ø 56 mm equivalent, an increase of 4 mm) connected to variable-height air
intake horns of dedicated length. This solution optimises cylinder intake across the rev range,
giving major advantages in terms of power delivery and handling. The R engine breathes
through a high-permeability Sprintfilter P08 air filter.

Thanks to development in close collaboration with Ducati Corse, the R version of the
Desmosedici Stradale engine has undergone numerous performance-enhancing improvements.
To limit power absorption the oil delivery pump has been redesigned and the alternator rotor
lightened, shaving another 100 grams off total bike weight.

* This layout demands the addition of the so-called ‘jackshaft’ to transfer crankshaft drive
through the gearbox to the rear wheel so it turns the right way. The jackshaft adds an extra
transmission element to the crankshaft-wheel connection system. This needs to be taken into
consideration when establishing crankshaft power if the latter is obtained from measurements
made at the wheel. During both homologation and measurement on acceleration test benches it
is, therefore, necessary to consider an efficiency or, in any case, an additional coefficient that is,
by law, fixed at 0.98.

Dry clutch

As in MotoGP, where all that matters is maximum performance, the Panigale V4 R features a dry
clutch. The V4 R mounts an STM EVO-SBK clutch, made of machined-from-solid aluminium
with a 48-tooth clutch basket and plate set; there are 9 take-up plates and 9 drive plates with a
diameter of 138 mm.

During extreme on-track use, this gives greatly improved ride ‘feel’. More specifically, the dry
clutch ensures a more efficient anti-patter function, even during aggressive downshifting, and
greater fluidity during ‘off-throttle’ phases; moreover, it’s also possible to personalise the
degree of ‘mechanical’ engine braking by selecting a different secondary spring from those
available in the Ducati Performance accessories catalogue.

Further benefits include the absence of the resistance opposed by the engine oil and reduced oil
contamination as dust from disc wear is not carried into the lubrication circuit.
Last but not least, there’s the iconic mechanical clutch rumble which Ducati fans find irresistible.

Aero Pack by Ducati Corse

The aerodynamic Panigale V4 R ‘shell’ was developed by Ducati Corse in close collaboration with
the Ducati Style Centre; the outcome is a fairing in true Panigale style that meets official Ducati
Superbike needs in full.
As in MotoGP, aerodynamic development involved a series of preliminary CFD (Computational
Fluid Dynamics) studies, followed by optimised shaping of a full-scale wind tunnel model.
The Panigale V4 R aerodynamics package includes:
• Screen, nose fairing and larger lateral fairings
• More efficient lateral vents for radiator through-air
• Wings

Compared to the Panigale V4, the new screen – higher and more angled – provides better airflow
protection for riders, especially in the helmet and upper shoulder areas. The screen is attached to
a new nose fairing that is higher and wider (+15 mm per side) in the arm-shield zone in order to
reduce arm and shoulder-induced drag on the straights.

The lateral fairings have been widened considerably (+38 mm per side) with the dual aim of
reducing on-rider airflow impact and maximising aerofoil efficiency.

At the sides, the stylish air vents of the Panigale V4 have been replaced by more efficient ones
designed to handle the racing-type temperatures reached by the more powerful engine on the
Ducati Panigale V4 R. These new vents increase air through-speeds on water and oil radiators by
6% and 16% respectively.

The biggest change on the Panigale V4 R – which defines the aesthetics of the bike – comes
from the wings. Conceptually derived from those used on the GP16 (before aerofoil shapes were
subject to regulatory limits), the ‘wings’ on the Panigale V4 R are actually more efficient than
those employed in MotoGP.

These monoplane single-element wings have a trapezoidal layout with a tapered profile from
root to tip. Wing performance has been improved thanks to the insertion of the longitudinally
arranged strake and the winglet which ‘insulates’ the airflow over its surfaces.

Working in concert with the fairing design, the wings increase overall downforce (+30 kg at 270
kph). Greater downforce reduces front wheel ‘floating’ at high speed and the tendency to wheelup;
it also boosts stability during braking at the turn-in point and through the corner.
This dynamic behaviour lets riders – against a small increase in steering torque caused by the
heightened stability – lower their lap times as it reduces electronic control intervention, helping
riders keep the throttle open for longer and brake later

Race-optimised chassis set-up

Frame

The Ducati Panigale V4 R Front Frame differs from the V4 S one not just because it is black. Above all,
the machined sides ensure attainment of the stiffness goals set by Ducati Corse and reduce
weight even further. To complete the modifications to the chassis set-up, the rear swingarm
pivot height can now be adjusted (it has 4 positions, 2 mm apart from each other). This feature
broadens the adjustment scope so the bike can be adapted more precisely to individual riding
styles and road/track conditions.

Suspension

Since the Panigale V4 R has been designed for near-exclusive use on race tracks, it does not
mount the event-based semi-active Öhlins suspension seen on the V4 S but, rather, the Swedish
firm’s professional mechanical units.

Up front, the Panigale V4 R mounts an exclusive new pressurised Öhlins 43 mm NPX 25/30 fork
with TiN treatment and, at the rear, an Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber. Both feature mechanical
adjustment. The Öhlins steering damper also abandons electronic adjustment in favour of a
mechanical alternative.

Compared to the NIX 30 model on the Panigale V4 S, the new NPX 25/30 uses a pressurised
damping system that is an offshoot of the one used on Öhlins WSB racing forks. Compared to a
traditional system, a pressurised one minimises the risk of oil cavitation, offering improved bump
absorption while ensuring excellent braking stability and support to give the rider better frontend
‘feel’.

Just like the Öhlins forks used in MotoGP, compression damping occurs in the left fork tube and
makes use of a Ø 25 mm piston. Rebound damping instead, in the right fork tube, uses a Ø 30
mm one. Specifically designed and machined outer tubes save a further 600 g with respect to
the forks on the Panigale V4 S.

To complete the suspension set-up the bike features the same ‘total black’ aluminium
Marchesini wheels used on official Ducati bikes.

Electronics

Latest-generation electronic controls
The Panigale V4 R is equipped with a latest-generation electronics package that controls every
stage of the ride via a 6-axis Bosch inertial platform (6D IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit). The
latter features revised intervention logic to adapt to the needs of pro riders.
The Panigale V4 R electronic control package includes:
• Bosch Cornering ABS 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 EVO (EBC) EVO
The operational parameters for each of these controls are associated by default with the three
Panigale V4 R Riding Modes. DTC, DWC, DSC or EBC control levels can be adjusted quickly via
the left switchgear.

Bosch Cornering ABS EVO

The Bosch ABS system with Cornering function allows ABS operation even with the bike leaned
over. Bosch Cornering ABS EVO can be set at three different levels to fully satisfy the needs of
all riders.

While level 3 is recommended for low-grip conditions, levels 2 and 1 emphasise braking power
and are intended for use on high-grip surfaces.
Selecting level 2 activates the Slide by Brake function, which lets riders drift the bike into the
corners safely.

Recommended for pro riders, ABS level 1 restricts ABS intervention to the front brake only, yet
retains the Cornering function to allow super-hard braking up to and past the turn-in and
recovery from any riding errors.

Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO

The DTC EVO has evolved a step further by implementing a ‘derivative’ control branch, so called
because it acts on the derivative of wheelspin (spontaneous grip loss), making control predictive
and even smoother and damping oscillation, especially where grip conditions are sub-optimal.
This same approach is applied on the GP18.

The DTC EVO interfaces with the 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), constantly measuring
the lean angle and using it to accurately calculate the degree of intervention needed to ensure
suitable rear wheelspin (according to the DTC EVO level setting).

When set to level 1 or 2, DTC EVO activates the Spin on Demand function. This lets the rider use
the throttle, with the bike leaned over, to request more wheelspin than would be given by the
normal intervention level so the bike can pivot around its front wheel and complete the taken
cornering line.

DTC EVO acts not just on ignition and injection advance but also on throttle body valve aperture
to ensure more fluid intervention when fast-action control is not required.

Ducati Slide Control (DSC)

Co-developed with Ducati Corse, this new system provides the rider with further support by
controlling the torque delivered by the engine as a function of the slide angle; its goal is to
improve out-of-the-corner performance by preventing slide angles that might otherwise be
difficult to handle.

DSC has two different settings: switching from level 1 to level 2 results in easier control of slide
angles that would otherwise be hard to manage.

Like DTC EVO, DSC controls torque reduction by acting on the throttle body valves, decreasing
spark advance and reducing injection.

Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO

The Panigale V4 R is also equipped with the latest version of Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC
EVO). Thanks to the information provided by the IMU 6D, The DWC EVO detects the occurrence
and extent of wheelies to control them with a higher level of precision, ensuring a more accurate
response to rider input.

Ducati Power Launch (DPL)

This 3-level system ensures lightning-fast yet safe starts, letting the rider focus on releasing the
clutch. The DPL makes use of the DWC functions and always keeps DTC active to ensure
compete safety at all times

The DPL has three different settings and is activated by pressing the specific key on the righthand
switchgear. Level 1 favours high-performance starts, level 3 is safer and more stable.
Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO

In addition to minimising shift times, the DQS EVO with up/down function allows clutchless
down-changes. The EVO version mounted on the V4 R uses lean angle info to maximise bike
stability during through-the-corner gearshifts. During downshifting this system works
seamlessly with the slipper clutch and Engine Brake Control (EBC) to ensure optimal gear
meshing during on-the-edge riding.

Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO

EBC (Engine Brake Control) helps riders optimise bike stability under extreme turn-in conditions.
EBC EVO, optimised according to lean angle, monitors the throttle body valve position, the
selected gear and crankshaft deceleration during aggressive braking and adjusts throttle
aperture to balance out the torque applied to the tyre.

New Ducati Riding Mode (RM) strategy

Riding Modes provide users with three different pre-set riding styles so that Panigale V4 R
performance can be adapted to the rider, the nature of the track/route and weather conditions.
Race Riding Mode – Race RM is designed to let the rider tap into the full potential of the
Panigale V4 R on high-grip asphalts. Selecting Race gives the rider 221 hp, with direct Ride-byWire
throttle response. Race mode sets the electronics at a low intervention level with the ABS
only intervening on the front wheel to provide maximum braking performance, but with the
Cornering feature always active
Sport Riding Mode – Sport RM allows less experienced riders to enjoy effective, spectacular
bike performance. Again, the engine delivers 221 hp but with a sports-style Ride-by-Wire
throttle response. The Slide by Brake function is activated, as is Cornering ABS, to maximise
cornering performance.
Street Riding Mode – Street RM is recommended when riding the Panigale V4 R on low-grip
surfaces or on public road. This RM still delivers 221 hp but, like Sport RM, has a more
progressive throttle response. Electronic control settings ensure grip and stability to maximise
safety.

TFT Instrumentation

The Panigale V4 R uses the same cutting-edge, high resolution 5″ full-TFT colour display (186.59
PPI – 800xRGBx480) as the Panigale V4. Graphics have been revised to reflect the introduction
of new functions and the higher engine rev ‘red zone’.
The dashboard is dominated by the round virtual rev counter on the right. Desmosedici Stradale
R revs are displayed within a 1,000-16,500 rpm interval by a needle gauge. Movement of the
latter is accompanied by a white trail that acts as a ‘shift light’, changing colour from white to
orange and then red as the rev limit approaches.
The rider can call up two different lay-outs: ‘Track’ highlights the lap times and the rev counter
scale makes the revs used on the track more clearly visible; ‘Road’, instead, replaces lap times
with info on the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), where present, and the rev scale is more
appropriate for road use.

Pit Limiter (PIT)

The Panigale V4 R sees the Pit Limiter make its debut. Once switched on (by pressing the
relative key on the right-hand switchgear) it auto-limits bike speed in the pit lane. The speed
limit can be set within the range shown on the menu (min. 40 kph, max. 80 kph).

Ducati Lap Timer GPS (DLT GPS)

The Panigale V4 R dashboard incorporates a lap timer that has more advanced functions than
the one on the Panigale V4. The DLT GPS on the V4 R automatically detects not just lap times: it
can also take two intermediate times and display them directly on the dashboard at every ridepast.
If a lap time is the best of the current track session, the Best Lap function causes it to flash
for 5 seconds. On every lap the system records not just the time but also maximum RPM,
maximum speed (real, GPS-detected), intermediate times plus lean and yaw angles.

Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA+ GPS)

The Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA + GPS), allows assessment of bike and rider performance
by showing traces for specific data items. DDA + GPS is a vital performance monitoring tool. Not
only does it automatically display and record lap times, it also saves other data traces such as
throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, selected gear, engine temperature, distance
travelled and the DTC trace.

Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)

The Panigale V4 R can be fitted with the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS). This lets riders take
incoming calls, select and listen to music tracks or receive text messages via a Bluetooth link.

CategoryNews

TagsDucati Panigale V4 R

RED BULL KTM SET FOR DAKAR 2019

Triumph Motorcycles Unveiled 2019 Speed Twin