Ducati Panigale V4 launched at Rs. 20.53 lakh

Ducati has launched the Panigale V4 in India. The superbike is available in two variants - V4 and V4 S priced at Rs. 20.53 lakh and Rs. 25.29 lakh (ex-showroom, India) respectively. These are introductory prices and for 2018, only 20 units have been allotted for India. Pre-bookings are now open, and the first bikes will be delivered in July 2018.

The Ducati Panigale V4 was unveiled at 2017 EICMA motor show. It is the first Ducati to be powered by a 4-cylinder engine. The standard bike has a wheelbase of 1,469 mm while the V4 S is slightly shorter at 1,464 mm. Both versions have the same seat height which is set at 830 mm. The Panigale V4 is based around an aluminium alloy frame with 43 mm, adjustable, upside down Showa front shocks and an adjustable Sachs monoshock at the rear. The V4 S features Ohlins suspension at both ends with electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment for the rear shock absorber. The V4 weighs 198 kg - 3 kg more than the V4 S. It comes with a 16-litre fuel tank.

The Panigale V4 has a distinct front cowl with triangular vents which house twin LED headlights with LED DRLs. The instrument cluster comprises of a 5-inch TFT colour display. The twin-exhausts have been tucked on the underside. Standard equipment includes quick shift, launch control, quick adjustment buttons and auto-off indicators. The base bike gets a Sachs steering damper while the V4 S gets an Ohlins unit, Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) and a lithium-ion battery.

Powering the bike is a new 1,103 cc, 90-degree V4 engine that produces 211 BHP @ 13,000 rpm and 124 Nm of peak torque @ 10,000 rpm. The engine is mated with a 6-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch and comes equipped with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up and down. It has three riding modes - Race, Sport and Street.

Brakes come in the form of twin 330 mm discs in the front with 4-piston calipers by Brembo and a single 245 mm disc with a 2-piston caliper in the rear. Bosch Cornering ABS EVO is standard. The base Panigale V4 rides on 17-inch, 5-spoke light alloy wheels while the V4 S rides on 17-inch, 3-spoke Marchesini forged aluminium wheels. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres measuring 120/70 ZR17 front and 200/60 ZR17 rear are standard. Safety features include traction control, wheelie control, Ducati Slide Control EVO (DSC), Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC) and auto tyre calibration.

Ducati will offer numbered memorabilia on delivery to those who confirm their bookings before May 31, 2018. Besides this, the first two customers will win a sponsored trip to the Sepang MotoGP circuit in Malaysia for the Ducati Riding Experience racetrack course to be held in June 2018.