Ducati is stealing the headlines ahead of this year's 2019 EICMA, to be held at the Milano-Rho Trade Fair Centre (Fiera) from November 7 to 10, with the unveiling of its lineup of models for 2020. The presentation, called the Ducati World Premiere 2020, was streamed worldwide on the internet from Palacongressi di Rimini on October 23. On stage was none other than Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, who personally unveiled the new 2020 range.
"For the Ducati World Première 2020 we have chosen to remain in the Motor Valley, a territory that unites a series of extraordinary brands - unparalleled in the world - of which we are proud to be a part", said Domenicali as he opened the Ducati World Première 2020. "Today we are unveiling a number of dream bikes."
"There are new colors for the Diavel and Ducati Scrambler, the special Grand Tour version for the Multistrada 1260 S and three absolute novelties. First among these is the Panigale V2, our super-sporty twin powered by the 955 cc Superquadro engine, the middle-weight superbike new both in its aesthetics and its performance.
"We also present the new version of the Panigale V4, which for the second year in a row was the most sold sports bike in the world. We have collected and analyzed the feedback and data from our passionate customers and the specialized press, and for 2020 we have made the Panigale V4 easier, less tiring to ride and more repeatable in performance even on uneven surfaces. It is faster on the stopwatch, and this improvement is greater the smaller the potential of the rider, therefore higher for an amateur than for a professional rider. The Panigale V4 is a bike that, when ridden by Michele Pirro in fully standard configuration, including the homologated exhaust and apart from the slick tires, is capable of obtaining a chronometric response of just 3 seconds higher than its own record made on the Vallelunga circuit with the Superbike version of the bike.
New colorways
After Domenicali's speech, the first motorcycle to take center-stage was the new Icon Dark, the 800 cc “Land of Joy” entry-level model from the Ducati Scrambler range, together with two concept bike sketches created by the Centro Stile Ducati for EICMA 2019.
Next up was the new Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour, a special version of the 1260 S designed for those who want to eat up the miles without giving up on comfort.
Following the Multistrada were two Diavel 1260 bikes, sporting new 2020 color
schemes, namely Dark Stealth (available for the standard version) and an all-new Ducati Red with white trim (for the S version), both of which enhance the sportiness and the power-cruiser spirit of this unique bike even further.
All-new bikes
The first of the all-new Ducati bikes for 2020 was the Panigale V2. The twin-cylinder Panigale has a completely new look, as well as sophisticated Inertial Platform-based electronics and, thanks also to a comfortable seat and its suspension set-up, it offers better yet safer sports performance while making road riding more enjoyable and user-friendly than ever. It is powered by a 995 cc Superquadro engine with a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm (Euro 5 compliant).
Built around the monocoque frame, the chassis set-up is embraced by a new, sports-style design. The extensive fairing hugs the mechanics, highlighting the compactness of the Superquadro twin-cylinder engine to create a bike that is visually compact.
Other key Panigale V2 features include the single-sided swingarm and an exhaust with extremely compact under-engine silencer and single-side tailpipe. The clean lines typical of Ducati superbikes are enhanced by the traditional Ducati Red livery and black wheels.
Another major EICMA 2019 preview took the form of the Panigale V4. A series of refinements for 2020 make for a more user-friendly, less fatiguing ride while simultaneously making the bike faster not just on individual laps but over entire timed sessions.
Ducati and Ducati Corse engineers have crunched the feedback/data numbers from customers all over the world and Superbike World Championship events. Their analysis has led to a series of aerodynamic, chassis, electronic control and Ride by Wire mapping changes: designed to increase stability and turn-in speed, these changes make it easier to close corners and ensure riders enjoy more confident throttle control.
The Panigale V4 is now equipped with content taken from the V4 R, starting with the aero pack (aerofoils, Plexiglas screen, nose fairing, and larger lateral fairings, more efficient side vents for radiator through-air). This provides better airflow protection and improves overall vehicle stability, enhancing confidence. Completing the update is the Front Frame, with modified stiffness to give better front-end 'feel' at extreme lean angles. Thanks to a new 'predictive' control strategy, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2 significantly improves out-of-the-corner power control; Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2, instead, shortens up-shift times, allowing sportier high-rev gear shifts (over 10,000 rpm) and boosting shift stability during aggressive acceleration and cornering. The bike also features specially-developed Ride by Wire system mappings with several different torque delivery control logics.
Powering the Panigale V4 is the 1,103 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale: a MotoGP-derived 90° V4 with Desmodromic timing, a one-of-a-kind engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft and Twin Pulse firing order. The engine can deliver 214 hp at 13,000 rpm and a torque of 12.6 Kgm at 10,000 rpm, making for extremely satisfying road riding.
With dream bikes set to thrill thousands of visitors and accessories and apparel oozing style and originality, Ducati is all set to welcome the public to the 77th edition of EICMA (Fiera Milano-Rho, 7/10 November 2019 - Hall 15 Stand N06), confirming the unique role this iconic brand plays on the international motorcycling scene.
