Who else but the great Carl "The King" Fogarty could help lead the début of the limited edition Ducati Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916? Carl was the rider who wrote some of the most important chapters in the history of the SBK World Championship astride his 916.
At the promotional event, held in Borgo Panigale, Carl excitedly remembered the moments spent riding the most popular Ducati, which this year is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of its launch. Only 500 numbered units of the new Panigale V4 will be made, for all those fans who want to bring back to life the legend that dictated the canons of modern motorcycle racing.
AGGRESSIVE WITH THE DUCATI PERFORMANCE TOUCH
It will be a tribute to the 916, the parent of the current generation of Superbikes, but the elements that make up the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 were taken from the best of Ducati's Superbike production.
Based on the mechanics of the Panigale V4 S, it has been supplemented with technical contents derived from racing models, such as the "Front Frame" that has been left exposed, the dry clutch and even more specific electronic controls for use on the track.
Visually, however, it resembles the Ducati 996 SBK which won the world championship in 1999, with the number 1 printed onto the fairings in Ducati red. The engine is the Desmosedici Stradale MotoGP derived model, capable of delivering a 214 HP at 13,000 rpm and a torque of 12.6 kgm at 10,000 rpm.
A generous set of components in carbon and aluminium obtained from a solid block contributes to reducing the weight by one kilogram compared to the V4 S version, making it possible to obtain a better overall stiffness-to-weight ratio.
The latest-generation electronic package best manages the power output on cornering, intercepts loss of adhesion more rapidly and reduces slippage peaks, which make for greater stability and control by the rider.
All these enhancements were studied for use on the track: at the expense of comfort, whoever gets on the saddle of the muscular body of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 can count on maximum aerodynamic efficiency and ideal support even in the most extreme circumstances. In these cases, to ensure optimisation of the contact area, improved agility and responsiveness to changes in direction, greater grip and steering precision, the demands are accommodated fully by the Diablo Supercorsa SP, tyres that were developed by Pirelli thanks to its experience in the WSBK.
