Ducati presented the prototype of the motorcycle that will be used in the 2023 MotoE world championship. It is called V21L, it has a 110 kW (150 HP) engine, a weight of 225 kg and a top speed of 275 km /h. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali rode it on the track: “The result we obtained is surprising. As I returned to the pits, I felt a great sense of pride for what we were able to create once again. »
In Modena, the managers of the Borgo Panigale factory yesterday presented the technical details of the MotoE project, which has strategic relevance, allowing the development of skills for the future while maintaining the approach that has always fueled the spirit Ducati: experimenting with technological solutions in the world of racing so that everything that is developed can then land on motorcycles intended for enthusiasts.
The initials V21L identify the first Ducati electric motorcycle, the prototype that will participate in the FIM MotoE World Cup from 2023: the Bologna manufacturer will be the sole supplier with 18 motorcycles on track during each race weekend.
Already now, however, the V21L looks like a sporty Ducati: the MotoE with Bolognese sauce weighs 225 kg (12 less than the minimum requirements imposed by DORNA and the FIM), has an output of 110 kW (150 hp) and a torque of 140 Nm. During tests on the straight of the Mugello circuit, it reached a speed of 275 km/h.
One of the critical elements of a MotoE are the batteries, which are restrictive in terms of mass and dimensions. Here the pack consists of 1152 cylindrical cells of type “21.700”, has a shape that follows the normal course of the central area of the motorcycle, weighs 110 kg and has a capacity of 18 kWh. The external battery case is made of carbon fiber and serves as a frame, similar to what happens on the Panigale V4. The pivot is supported by an aluminum monocoque front frame which weighs 3,7 kg, at the rear there is an aluminum swingarm which weighs 4,8 kg and has a geometry very similar to that of the MotoGP prototype. The rear loop, which integrates the rider's saddle and the fairing, into which the charging socket is inserted, is also made of carbon fiber.
The inverter, with a low weight of 5 kg, is a unit derived from a high performance model used in motor racing for electric vehicles, while the motor (weight of 21 kg and a maximum rotation speed of 18 rpm) was developed by a partner following the technical specifications provided by Ducati. The whole system is based on a voltage of 000V with a fully charged battery.
One of the most interesting points concerns the cooling, obtained with a particularly sophisticated liquid system: it has a double circuit to meet the different thermal needs of the battery pack and the motor/inverter group, and has the great advantage of allowing immediate recharging, that is to say without waiting for the battery to cool down: it takes approximately 45 minutes to reach 80% autonomy.
On the suspension side, we find an Öhlins NPX 25/30 pressurized fork with 43 mm diameter inverted rods derived from the Superleggera V4 at the front, while at the rear there is a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber. The Brembo braking system has been sized to Ducati MotoE specifications. It is made up of a double 338,5 mm steel disc with increased thickness: it has fins on the internal diameter to improve cooling and is coupled to two GP4RR M4 calipers with radial pump. At the rear, the P34 caliper acts on a single 220 mm diameter disc block. A control on the left handlebar also allows you to activate the rear brake.
Also involved in the development were the Ducati Corse test teams, led by Marco Palmerini, who applied the same methodologies used in MotoGP and worked with riders Michele Pirro, Alex De Angelis and Chaz Davies. The goal was to achieve throttle response similar to that of gasoline engines, and electronic control behavior equal to that of conventional racing motorcycles.
“I remember well the birth of the MotoE project and each phase of the composition of the work team,” said Roberto Canè, director of Ducati eMobility, “with the involvement of colleagues from Ducati Corse and the search for contacts within the Volkswagen group who could give us suggestions on how to develop this project. To build this motorcycle, we followed the same procedure that we usually follow on a production motorcycle. We started by defining the design and at the same time the technical office began to design the different components of the vehicle. The initial brief was to create a racing motorcycle that met the minimum performance requirements required by Dorna. In reality, this project made the entire team involved fall in love and pushes us to create a machine with better characteristics than those initially requested by the organizer.”
Contacts within the VW Group have made it possible to exploit numerous skills and Ducati is in contact in particular with the Center of Excellence (COE) in Salzgitter in Germany, but also with other Group brands such as Porsche and Lamborghini.
In short, things are progressing very well and Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali confirms it: “A few weeks ago I had the extraordinary opportunity to ride the Ducati MotoE on the track and I immediately realized that I was experiencing a historic moment. The world is going through complex times and environmental sustainability is something that all individuals and businesses must consider as a priority if we want to preserve the fragile balance of the planet. As Ducati, we grasped this need and went in search of a challenge that would allow us to contribute to the common goal of reducing CO2 emissions and at the same time stay true to our racing-related DNA . We have resolutely agreed to develop the most efficient electric racing motorcycle that current technology allows and to use this project as a laboratory to build our future. The result we achieved is surprising. As soon as I sat on the machine I realized the quality of work the team was doing and when I returned to the box I felt a great sense of pride for what we were able to create once again. more ".
