DUCATI

Panigale V4 R 2023: 240 hp and 16,500 rpm

Ducati has advanced what is going to be its new Panigale V4 Rl, which can be summed up in offering lovers of the most ultra-sport motorcycles the most sophisticated and refined technological solutions available on a production motorcycle, if that is how it can be considered a motorcycle with its price and that will be produced in a numbered series and identified with its number and the name of the model in a piece of machined aluminum on the steering.

In its first version with Euro4 homologation, the Panigale V4 R was already defined as a motorcycle that basically served as a base for the most demanding competitions, with exclusive technological details that made it a model for very select minorities, and with a performance that With its 998 cc, which marks the limit of the sporting regulations, it allowed it to offer more power than its street sisters with 1,103 cc engines.

MORE AND LESS POWERFUL... In this new 2023 Panigale V4 R, changes have been made to its engine, which is still a 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R, and which is now capable of reaching a maximum speed of 16,500 rpm in sixth gear, while in the rest of the gear ratios it cuts at 16,000 rpm. The integration in the Euro5 homologation and its new more restrictive exhaust system has reduced a little power in its street configuration and it offers 218 CV at 15,500 rpm

However, to check the full potential of this engine, its racing exhaust must be installed, which allows it to reach 237 hp, 3 hp more than before, and which can be further increased with the use of a special oil developed by Shell in collaboration with Ducati Corse. The combination of racing exhaust and this specific oil increases the figure to 240.5 hp.

LESS FRICTION...The increase in power beyond 240 hp is due to the performance of the new oil, which guarantees a 10% reduction in mechanical friction. It is capable of increasing the maximum power by 3.5 hp, which rises to +4.5 hp with the limiter. The formulation of this oil is based on the use of competition additives for high-revving engines equipped with a dry clutch.

The use of this type of clutch on the Ducati Panigale V4 R makes it possible to obviate the needs of this mechanism and use anti-friction additives that would make it difficult to transmit torque in oil-bath clutches. These chemicals are added to the base oil in specific amounts and percentages to ensure the proper balance between engine performance and protection.

EXCLUSIVE PARTS...For the first time in a road bike, "gun drilled" titanium connecting rods are used, which are drilled longitudinally from the head to the foot with a 1.6 mm section hole, which allows the passage of pressure lubricant from the first to the second, which improves lubrication and reliability in extreme conditions.

The pistons have skirts surface-treated with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon), a solution used in MotoGP and Formula 1 racing, which reduces friction between the piston and the cylinder. They also have a new geometry that makes them lose 5 g, which is 2% of their weight.

MORE CHANGES...Other modifications include the use of 1mm higher intake cams, combined with new variable length intake trumpets that are 5mm shorter in their short position, which increases the resonance rate of the engine. waves and provides more power in the configuration with racing exhaust.

Gear ratios have been shortened with a first 11.6% longer, which is combined with the second, 5.6% and the sixth 1.8%. In this way, the first becomes more useful in circuit. In addition, the smaller jump between first and second gear allows the Quick Shift to work more effectively. It is also equipped with a new clutch in which both the diameter and the width have been reduced, making it 24 mm narrower. The weight has been reduced by 800 g.

MORE ELECTRONIC STRATEGY...The new Panigale V4 R adopts the electronic evolutions introduced in the '22 and '23 Panigale V4, with the expansion and evolution of the Power Modes, new “Track Evo ” display on the dashboard, engine maps with calibration dedicated to each gear. Traction control and electronic accelerator are also improved and new retention control strategies, use of the shift assistant and electric fan control are integrated.

There are four engine strategies: Full, High, Medium and Low. Full and Low have a new design, while the High and Medium settings have been revised. They all have independent calibrations for each gear ratio. In Low mode, power is limited to 160 hp with especially manageable throttle response.

NEW INTERFACE...The operating parameters are displayed on the dashboard with warning lights off the screen. The interface includes a new Info Mode, developed by MotoGP riders and called "Track Evo", which is added to the already known "Road" and "Track". It also adopts an evolution of the hold-up control system with a different calibration from gear to gear at each of three selectable levels. The strategy was developed to optimize the intensity of engine braking as a function of the load on the rear axle.

Shift Assist improves shifting fluidity at all degrees of throttle opening, both partially open and fully open, making the action smoother in road use thanks to the absence of engine cut-offs and restarts . With the throttle fully open, the torque restoration phase has been changed to give the bike greater stability.

ON THE CIRCUIT...For use on the track, the Ducati Performance DTC EVO 3 specific for slick and rain tires is offered as an accessory, which also allows the intermittent operation of the rear light to be activated and changes the Street mode to a Rain mode specially designed for use on wet surfaces. It integrates a new throttle control that is 50% more compact and is characterized by minimizing radial and axial clearances, in addition to having practically no initial travel. Finally, as in racing motorcycles, there is a Pit Limiter to limit the speed at the exit and entrance of the pit lane.

Ducati Performance offers a range of track accessories with full titanium Akrapovič exhaust system with double silencer under the seat, which improves the already low power/weight ratio of the V4 R thanks to a weight saving of 5 kg compared to the system standard and increased power to 237 hp. The exhaust is supplied with a specific map with which all the DTC, DWC, DPL and DSC parameters are adjusted to the new performance of the bike.

ADJUSTABLE FRAME...On the Panigale V4 R it is still possible to adjust the height of the swingarm axis in 4 positions with steps of 2 mm and a fully mechanical adjustment of the suspensions. At the front end, the Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurized fork increases its travel by 5 mm. In the Öhlins TTX36 shock its length increases from 312 to 316 mm. It also has position adjustment and with the swingarm axis in position +1, the rear height is increased by 20 mm.

A softer spring has been adopted in the shock absorber, which goes from 105 N/mm to 80 N/mm. The weight on the front axle has decreased with the increased fork travel, which improves the ability to "copy" the asphalt and increases load transfer, as well as allowing greater contact with the ground during acceleration. The position of the swingarm axis accentuates the anti-dive effect by improving stability, precision and ability to maintain the trajectory when exiting corners.

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