Ducati Desmosedici Stradale V4 unveiled

HERE'S the just-unveiled engine that will power Ducati's replacement for the V-twin Panigale, which will be the Italian marque's first four-cylinder production bike. 

Called the Desmosedici Stradale V4, it's an 1103cc 90° V4 with peak power that Ducati says 'exceeds' 210hp and torque of 88.5lbft. 

It's Euro4 compliant (as we'd hope) and has 15,000-mile service intervals. 

It's set to power Ducati's future range-topping sports bikes and is derived from the engine of the Desmosedici GP machine raced in MotoGP, the firm says. 

The first bike to use it, called the 'Panigale V4', is due to be unveiled in Milan on November 5 and go on sale next year.

The engine looks to be the same as one visible in a spy shot that emerged earlier this week, indicating we may already have seen the complete bike. 

Ducati says it's suited to the track but also designed for the needs of the road, with good low-down and mid-range torque, achieved with the help of its slightly larger displacement than its MotoGP ‘counterpart’.

A higher-revving R version of less than 1000cc, intended more for track use, is in the 'advanced development stage' according to Ducati. This will be the homologated version for the World Superbike championship, in which the machine is due to compete from 2019. 

It’s got the same configuration as the Desmosedici GP, with the 90° V4 rotated rearward by 42° to make it more compact and allow ‘centralisation of mass’.  

The crankshaft is the counter-rotating type, which is said to make the bike quicker-turning by countering the gyroscopic effect of the wheels, as well as reducing wheelie and dive effect under acceleration and braking.

Ducati says the crank pins have a 70° offset, making for a 'twin Pulse' firing sequence that produces a ‘unique signature sound’ and provides ‘easy-to-handle power and excellent out-of-the-corner traction’.

It’s got Ducati’s Desmodromic system, controlling the four-valves in each cylinder, a feature which the firm says helps keep the MotoGP bike competitive.

Ducati said in its release: ‘On this high-revving engine the “Desmo” system achieves a degree of sophistication, lightness and compactness never before seen on a Ducati.’

It’s got the same 81mm cylinder bore as the Desmosedici GP engine and the throttle bodies have variable-height air intake horns to optimise intake across the range.

It’s also got oval throttle bodies, each equipped with two injectors: one above the butterfly and one below.

Ducati said: ‘This technical solutions package - born in MotoGP and developed to maximise everyday reliability - once again demonstrates the uniqueness of Ducati, capable of creating a V4 engine that offers a configuration and a solutions set like no other in the motorcycle world.’

Here are specs, straight from the press release:

• '1,103 cm³ 4-cylinder 90-degree V engine
• Bore x stroke 81 x 53.5 mm
• Compression ratio 14:1
• Maximum power exceeds 155 kW (210 hp) at 13,000 rpm
• Maximum torque exceeds 120 Nm (12.2 kgm) from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm
• Euro 4 emissions
• Desmodromic part chain, part gear [timing with dual overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
• Counter-rotating crankshaft with crank pins offset at 70°
• Wet multiplate anti-patter servo clutch
• Semi-dry sump lubrication with four oil pumps: 1 delivery and 3 return
• Fuelling with four oval throttle bodies (52 mm diameter equivalent) and variable-height intake
• horns
• 6-speed gearbox with DQS up/down system
• 24,000 km “Desmo Service” maintenance interval (15,000 miles)'

The engine was unveiled this morning at the Marco Simoncelli Misano World Circuit in Rimini, Italy, ahead of this weekend's MotoGP round there. 

Claudio Domenicali, Ducati's CEO, said: “It's with undiluted pride that we unveil this technological gem. It represents the start of a new chapter for our company, underlining our vitality and an unshakeable commitment to investment in new products.

"This engine also highlights the close collaboration between Ducati Corse and the factory bike development team, proving just how instrumental racing can be in developing the technology that is later applied on production bikes. In November, at EICMA, we'll be showcasing the new Panigale V4, an all-new motorcycle powered by this extraordinary engine.”

The Panigale V4 is set to be unveiled at 9pm on November 5.