Ducati has pulled the covers off the Superleggera V4 Centenario, a limited-edition homologated superbike created to mark the corporate’s one hundredth anniversary and, on the numbers at the least, probably the most excessive road-legal machine ever to put on a Borgo Panigale badge.
Manufacturing will likely be capped at 500 individually numbered examples, with Ducati additionally planning an additional 100 Tricolore variants. The brand new mannequin sits on the prime of Ducati’s superbike tree and continues the Superleggera lineage that started with the 1199 Superleggera in 2013, moved to the 1299 Superleggera in 2016, after which to the Panigale V4 Superleggera in 2020. In every case, Ducati used the venture to push unique supplies, mass discount and race-derived know-how additional than its mainstream manufacturing bikes.
For the Centenario, Ducati’s focus is once more on reducing mass whereas rising outright efficiency. The bike makes use of carbon-fibre for the body, swingarm, subframes, wheels and bodywork, serving to convey the claimed moist weight with out gas right down to 173 kg. Match the provided racing package and Ducati says that it falls to 167 kg.
Energy comes from a brand new Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 engine that produces a claimed 228 hp in street trim, rising to 247 hp in observe configuration with the Akrapovič racing exhaust and Ducati Corse Efficiency oil. Ducati quotes a unprecedented 1.48 hp/kg power-to-weight ratio in that kind.
What makes the Centenario particularly notable is not only the headline output, however the quantity of first-of-its-kind {hardware} Ducati says it has delivered to a road-legal bike. The Superleggera V4 Centenario is claimed to be the primary homologated street bike to make use of carbon-ceramic brake discs and the primary with carbon-fibre fork sleeves. These two areas alone underscore the intent right here: this isn’t merely a numbered collector particular with a brand new paint scheme, however a technical showcase constructed round real weight-saving and track-performance beneficial properties.
Carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon-sleeved forks
The braking package deal centres on new Brembo carbon-ceramic discs constructed round a carbon fibre-reinforced ceramic compound. Ducati says every disc saves 450 grams in comparison with an equal metal disc and reduces rotational inertia by 40 per cent, aimed toward bettering agility and making the bike extra responsive on nook entry.
The discs are paired with Brembo GP4-HY billet monobloc calipers, which function built-in cooling fins and an anti-drag system supposed to remove residual torque when the rider releases the lever.
Up entrance, the bike runs a pressurised Öhlins NPX 25/30 Carbon fork utilizing carbon-fibre sleeves produced with unidirectional layers. Ducati says the setup saves eight per cent towards the Panigale V4 R fork and 10 per cent in comparison with the usual Panigale V4 association.
The fork is mechanical quite than digital within the pursuits of mass discount, whereas the rear finish makes use of an Öhlins TTX36 GP LW shock with MotoGP-derived valving and a light-weight metal spring.
Titanium suspension linkages proceed the mass-reduction theme.
Full carbon chassis
Ducati has gone all-in on composite building. The entrance body is claimed to be 17 per cent lighter than the aluminium merchandise used on the Panigale V4, whereas the double-sided carbon swingarm is alleged to save lots of 21 per cent over its aluminium equal whereas sustaining comparable stiffness values.
Ducati additionally claims lighter carbon wheels, a lighter entrance subframe and a 1.4 kg saving from the rear monocoque alone.
The corporate says each carbon-fibre half used on the Centenario is checked utilizing three totally different non-destructive testing strategies: Transient Energetic Thermography, Phased Array Ultrasonics and Computed Axial Tomography. That’s the type of language extra typically related to aerospace than with bikes, however it reinforces the purpose Ducati desires to make with each Superleggera: these bikes are successfully low-volume engineering workout routines made road-registrable.
New 1103 cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine
The Centenario introduces a brand new model of Ducati’s Desmosedici Stradale R engine, enlarged from 998 cc to 1103 cc by rising stroke from 48.41 mm to 53.5 mm. Ducati says the purpose was to spice up torque and mid-range thrust with out dulling acceleration. Claimed output is 228 hp at 14,500 rpm and 117.6 Nm at 10,500 rpm in street configuration, climbing to 247 hp and 126.3 Nm with the observe exhaust fitted.
Ducati says the engine is 3.6 kg lighter than the 1103 cc Panigale V4 unit with dry clutch, due to in depth use of titanium, lighter fasteners and redesigned inside parts. The spec sheet contains titanium consumption valves, titanium con-rods, titanium engine bolts and light-weight two-ring pistons with outsized pins. The crankshaft makes use of tungsten inserts rather than typical metal counterweights to cut back mass whereas sustaining the required balancing impact, a change Ducati says improves rev response and reduces stress on bearings and different inside parts.
crankshaft.
Air reaches the engine by means of 56 mm oval throttle our bodies, whereas the exhaust facet makes use of titanium headers with a bigger 41.7 mm diameter and an accredited Akrapovič silencer for street trim.
Transmission is through Ducati’s Racing Gearbox, with impartial positioned beneath first gear quite than between first and second. The Ducati Impartial Lock system is designed to forestall unintended choice of impartial on nook entry and make the shift between first and second faster and extra constant.
Aerodynamics and electronics
The bodywork is completely carbon fibre, with Ducati leaving sections uncovered quite than totally painted. Aerodynamic appendages embody Ducati’s wings and Nook Sidepods, taken from the Panigale V4 R Superbike package deal. Ducati says the sidepods generate a ground-effect-style enhance in tyre grip at lean, serving to nook pace and stability.
Electronically, the Centenario builds on the Panigale V4 R platform and provides the newest DVO methods for traction management, wheelie management, slide management, and launch management. Cornering ABS additionally beneficial properties Engine Brake Management DVO with a Dynamic Engine Brake perform, which Ducati says can routinely handle rear-brake contribution to enhance deceleration and line-tightening on nook entry.
Rosso Centenario and the collector angle
The Superleggera V4 Centenario debuts Ducati’s new Rosso Centenario color scheme, paired with white striping. Ducati says the color references historic fashions such because the 1949 Ducati 60 and the 1955 Gran Sport “Marianna”, whereas additionally serving because the inspiration for the 2026 MotoGP and WorldSBK manufacturing facility liveries. The Tricolore by-product takes the heritage angle additional, drawing visible affect from the 750 F1 Endurance Racing machines of the Nineteen Eighties.
Every bike will likely be delivered in a devoted wood crate with a certificates of authenticity, bike cowl, paddock stands and mat. The usual package deal additionally contains the racing package, comprising the Akrapovič race exhaust, devoted decrease fairing, open carbon clutch cowl, protectors, a brake lever guard, a machined alloy race gas cap, a neoprene race seat and the parts wanted to take away the lights, facet stand, numberplate holder and indicators for circuit use. Ducati can even supply matching limited-edition using gear to homeowners.
An extra owners-only incentive is Ducati’s MotoGP Expertise, with 26 homeowners to obtain entry to a observe occasion with Ducati instructors, adopted by laps aboard the Desmosedici GP26. Ducati notes that this expertise will not be included within the buy value. It’s a reminder that the Superleggera, whereas road-registrable, continues to be aimed squarely at patrons who see possession as half assortment, half entry cross to Ducati’s racing world.
The larger image
As with earlier Superleggera fashions, the Centenario is much less about quantity gross sales than it’s about displaying what Ducati can do when value, manufacturing complexity, and sensible restraint are pushed effectively into the background. Carbon-ceramic street brakes, carbon-sleeved forks, a full-carbon chassis, and a 247 hp, track-ready specification place it in territory far past even the Panigale V4 R.
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