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Ducati has unveiled the new Panigale V4 R for 2023. It will be the new homologation base for the World Superbike race bike. Of course, they go one better in terms of performance.
Revised engine with special lubrication
If you have to describe the top performance of the new Ducati Panigale V4 R, it gets a little complicated. In the street-legal version, the engine peaks at 218 horsepower. However, if you use the special Ducati Corse Oil, the power increases to 221 hp. If you use the racing kit for the race tracks, which includes a racing exhaust, then the power increases to 237 hp. If the special oil is then in the engine, it is even 240.5 hp at 15,500 rpm at the peak.
Since the normal Desmosedici-Stradale V4 engine of the Panigale with 1,103cc has too large a displacement for the World Superbike Championship, the stroke of the V4 R engine was reduced from 53.5 to 48.4mm. Together with the 81mm bore, the result is a displacement of 998cc.
In terms of torque, 112 Nm at 11,500 rpm is specified. The maximum engine speed has been increased to 16,500 rpm. To optimize the engine for these speeds, a forged crankshaft was installed along with new custom titanium connecting rods. Gun-drilling channels were cut into the connecting rods to control and thus ensure the supply of oil to the pistons.
The pistons themselves are made of cast aluminum, are DLC-coated and have only one piston ring.
The camshafts have also been reworked, opening and closing 8 titanium intake valves and 8 steel exhaust valves.
Chassis
The chassis is based on that of the new V4 and V4 S. Damping at the front is handled by an Öhlins NPX 25/30 fork. A 25mm piston works in the left fork for compression, and a 30mm piston works in the right fork for rebound. This saves 600g, compared to the fork of the V4 S. A TTX-36 shock absorber with hydraulic preload is also installed. A semi-active chassis was deliberately omitted. The forged aluminum wheels come from Marchesini and are covered with tires in the sizes 120/70 ZR 17 front and 200/60 ZR 17 rear.
Other changes
The two-piece winglets at the front are new. Although they are a good half the size of the old V4 R, they are said to be more effective. The fuel tank has been increased in capacity to 17 liters. The seat, on the other hand, has been made narrower.
Ducati has not yet given any details on weight or price.
