Ducati Superleggera V4 leaks to show off its wings upon wings

Having made headlines earlier this week when its wild specifications leaked out, the 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 itself has now seemingly emerged from the corners of the internet showcasing the very latest in winged technology… and they aren’t subtle.

The latest in a long line of Superleggera (which means super light) editions based on Ducati’s flagship sportsbike, this is nonetheless the first to utilise the company’s new V4 engine.

Earlier this week the specification sheet for ‘Project 1708’ emerged demonstrating some impressive stats that see the power go up and weigh come right down…

Ducati Superleggera V4 key specs

- 234bhp @ 15,250rpm

- 85.3Ib.ft torque @11,750rpm

- 152kg dry weight

- Bi-plane wings delivering 50kg of downforce @ 167.7mph

At first glance, it’s hard to ignore the myriad of wings that have been added to the Superleggera, no doubt to keep the featherlight but powerful machine pinned to the ground.

Indeed, while we initially had to get used to seeing wings on the Ducati V4 R, they are positively subtle compared with the Superleggera which has them sprouting out from the front-end right down the fairing and also under the headlight cowls.

Driving it closer towards a MotoGP silhouette than its base Superbike one, the wings have been developed using technology showcased in the premier motorcycle racing series, namely the 2016-spec GP16. It’s no coincidence that the spec sheets says the Superleggera will be offered in MotoGP livery rather than a WorldSBK one.

Weight-saving innovations are thought to include a carbonfibre swingarm – another MotoGP influence – plus Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

Impressive stuff, but such innovation comes at a rather eye-watering price with the Superleggera listed as $100,000 in the US (around £75,000 in the UK). Only 500 will be made, however, and they’ll likely sell out instantly…