Ducati organized its annual meeting, World Ducati Week, on the Misano circuit in Italy from July 22 to 24, 2022. The opportunity allowed us to see Ducati MotoGP and WSBK riders compete on track in the Race of the Champions. Aside from the on-track action, Ducati fans were able to marvel at the brand's latest Panigale, Streetfighter, Multistrada and DesertX models, but a secret viewing of the upcoming Scrambler stole the show.
Ducati has banned attendees and journalists from taking photos of the renewed retro, but written reports point to a slimmer, lighter construction and updated technology. According to several European outlets, the 2023 Scrambler will weigh five kilograms less than its predecessor. This weight loss means the beginner-friendly Scrambler goes from 189 kilograms to 184 kilograms.
The Scrambler is not only physically lighter, it is also visually lighter. Revisions to the frame, swingarm and wheels contribute to the neo-retro Ducati's slim silhouette, and the wider passenger seat suits more two-up adventures. The chassis may change in 2023, but the 803 cc oil/air-cooled Desmodromic L-twin already meets Euro 5 standards, so we don't expect any major power upgrades.
A quickshift and slipper clutch should improve performance, while full LED lighting will lead the way. It appears the Scrambler will also ditch its round LCD screen, replacing the unit with a rectangular, full-color TFT instrument cluster.
The preview also revealed that Ducati could adopt interchangeable gas tank covers in 2023. We've seen similar custom features on competing neo-retros, but all accounts suggest the Scrambler will retain its signature yellow hue alongside of various classic color schemes.
While Ducati gave brand loyalists a small taste of the 2023 Scrambler, the firm will officially unveil the new model at EICMA 2022. The presentation will mark Ducati's return to the show after a three-year hiatus.
