From official Superbikes to the approved version but born for the track: the Ducati Panigale V4 R 2023 smells of racing and doesn't hide it, the livery is inspired by the Bolognese firm's MotoGP motorcycles and the white number plates adorned with the number 1 send a very clear message. The power on the track is such that the new edition of the Ducati Panigale is the most extreme ever built. The 4 cc V998R engine pushes to 16 rpm and the price is in keeping with so much racing heritage, as it is priced at €500.
A few days behind schedule, the fourth part of the Ducati World Première – the web series dedicated to the presentation of the new 2023 products from the Borgo Panigale factory – arrived this Friday. As expected by a statement that did not leave many doubts, the Panigale V4R, the most radical production hyper sports car produced by Ducati, was presented to the general public.
The protagonist of the 2023 model is again the 4 cc 90° Desmosedici Stradale R V998 engine: it reaches the maximum speed of 16 rpm in sixth gear (500 rpm less in the other gears) and develops the maximum power of 500 hp at 218 rpm in Euro15 configuration. A value that, despite all the improvements, offers slightly reduced performance compared to the Euro500 predecessor due to the greater limitation due to the Euro5 exhaust system. But just by fitting the racing exhaust, this allows you to reach 4 hp, or 5 more than before.
In parallel with the development of the engine for the new V4 R, a special Shell oil was developed which allows a reduction in mechanical friction by 10% and leads to an increase in maximum power by a further 3,5 hp, which thus increases to 240,5, 800 ch. The formulation of this oil is based on the use of racing type additives, specific to high speed engines equipped with a dry clutch, which on this version is of smaller diameter and shorter axial length, but above all lighter by around XNUMX grams.
Numerous technical solutions from the world of competition equip this beastly machine: “gun drilled” titanium connecting rods, drilled longitudinally allowing the passage of oil from the head to the small end of the connecting rod, improving the lubrication of the axis and therefore the reliability in extreme conditions.
On the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, the pistons have a coating with a DLC surface treatment, as in MotoGP and Formula 1, and which is applied for the first time on a road engine. The pistons are then lightened by 5 grams, which allows a weight saving of 2% on these elements.
The profile of the intake cams is more aggressive and has greater lift, plus it is set on new variable length horns, also modified according to the maximum power in the configuration with racing exhaust.
The gear ratios have been modified, taking up what was done on motorcycles racing in Superbike, as had already happened on the Panigale V4 S 2022, with the lengthening of the first (+11,6%), second (+5,6%) and sixth gear (+1,8%). The smaller jump between first and second gear allows the Quick Shift to work more efficiently.
There are also all the electronic innovations introduced on the 4 and 2022 Panigale V2023, with the expansion and evolution of Power Modes, the new Track Evo display on the dashboard, engine maps with calibration dedicated to each speed, the refinements of the DTC and the Ride By Wire system, but also the adoption of the Engine Brake Control EVO 2 strategy, the new strategy for rapid gear changes and updated cooling fan control.
For those who use the Panigale V4 R only on the track, the specific Performance DTC EVO 3 software for slick-wet tires has been developed (it is sold as an accessory and makes the motorcycle not approved for road traffic). Allows the flashing operation of the rear position light to be activated, as required by the racing regulations in the event of rain, and replaces the Street Riding mode with a Rain mode specially designed for use on wet surfaces.
Finally, as on racing motorcycles, the Pit Limiter is present to limit the speed when exiting and entering the pit lane, while the more compact accelerator cancels the free run.
The chassis of the V4 R is based on the famous aluminum alloy front frame and single swingarm of the Panigale family. The height of the rear swingarm pivot can be adjusted to four positions in 2mm increments. The greater travel of the fork allows the wheel to maintain contact with the asphalt with more accentuated load transfers to the rear axle during acceleration, while the position of the swingarm pivot increases the anti-squat effect , improving stability, precision and the ability to maintain the trajectory when exiting corners.
At the front, the Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurized fork increases its travel by 5 mm compared to the previous “R” version. This technical choice, associated with an Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber (with hydraulic preload adjustment) whose wheelbase increases from 312 to 316 mm and a standard adjustment of the swingarm pivot in position +1, increases the rear height by 20 mm. In this way, a higher center of gravity is achieved and therefore greater agility when entering and changing direction.
The brushed aluminum fuel tank has an increased capacity to 17 liters and a profile that provides more favorable support to the arms and legs when braking and driving. The saddle is flatter, reduced in foam and with a different covering to provide greater freedom of longitudinal movement. The new two-part fins give the same downforce as before but are more compact and thinner (respectively 40% for the main and 50% for the secondary). New air extractors appear at the bottom of the fairing to improve cooling of the engine and shifter on the other side.
Finally, among the accessories it is worth mentioning the complete Akrapovič titanium exhaust system with double silencer under the saddle, (-5 kg compared to the standard) and equipped with dedicated mapping with which all parameters of control are adapted to the new performances, magnesium wheels (-0,7 kg compared to the original forged parts) as well as adjustable aluminum footrests developed in collaboration with Rizoma.
The 4 Panigale V2023R is on sale at a price of €43 for the standard version, or €990 with the racing kit. If each model from the 51 vintage is still numbered, production is no longer limited to a specific number of examples.
