DUCATI have announced the addition of a new range topping Panigale V4 SP2 overnight. With a host of additional equipment, the track focused offering is expected to be available in Australia in the third quarter of this year.
The SP2 brings peak the sportiness for the Panigale V4, with the 2022 version taking the most significant evolutionary step since its inception, improving every aspect, including aerodynamics, ergonomics, engine, chassis and electronics.
It sports an even more powerful braking system, lightweight carbon rims, with the final drive and dry clutch inherited from the World SBK bikes, as well as racing foot pegs and a series of carbon components.
The bike is also delivered with a kit for track use, which includes billet aluminium caps for the removal of rear-view mirrors, and kits for taking off the license plate holder and open carbon clutch cover.
The result is the ultimate racetrack machine; a special model, ideal for the non-professional rider who wishes to experience track days, challenging his own records. The limited edition model is characterised by the Winter Test livery.
It features matte black fairings, combined with matte carbon finish on the rims and wings. That contrasts with the bright red accents and the brilliance of the exposed brushed aluminium tank.
The wings, with double profile design, are embellished with the Italian flag which also appears on the official Panigale V4 R SBK. The lower part of the fairing bears the Ducati Corse logo over the new hot air extractors.
The name of the bike is also present on the black saddle in double material. A build number is machined into the steering head.
The heart of the Panigale V4 SP2 is the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale, derived from MotoGP. It’s a V4 with counter-rotating crankshaft, equipped with a lot of torque from low revs and capable of expressing the racing soul of the bike on the track.
A raft of technical changes for 2022 ensure an increase in power and improved throttle response, with new dedicated mapping delivering 160.7kW of power (in standard guise).
Dedicated gear-by-gear torque curves have been paired with four power modes (Full, High, Medium, Low) too. The Full and Low configurations are newly developed, while the High and Medium configurations use a new strategy.
At the track, performance can be further improved with the optional new full titanium Ducati Performance racing exhaust.
Developed in collaboration with Akrapovič, this exhaust is equipped with high silencers alongside the tail and has been redesigned to increase performance and limit noise, which ensures compliance, even at circuits with the most stringent noise limits.
The Akrapovič exhaust also guarantees an increase in power to 170kW, and a boost in maximum torque to 131Nm. Other enhancements on the Panigale V4 SP2 include a lightened final drive with 520 chain and the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch.
The chassis includes an aluminium front frame that uses the Desmosedici Stradale as a stressed element. The swingarm and seat post in shell-cast aluminium are directly connected to the engine too.
The pivot of the swingarm is positioned to increase the anti-squat effect, which is the reduction of the sinking of the rear when exiting corners and when reopening the throttle, stabilising the bike under acceleration.
The suspension system features an electronically controlled 125mm travel Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurised fork at the front, with a cartridge damping system derived from racing forks. The SP2 is also equipped with 5-split spoke carbon wheels.
The 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 is also equipped with exclusive Brembo Stylema R front brake callipers, and an electronics package that includes controls that manage all riding phases, linked to the bike’s four riding modes (Race A, Race B, Sport, Street).
The dashboard includes a Track Evo display mode, derived from the one used in MotoGP, with a horizontal scale tacho and focus on the selected gear. Four different coloured sectors, each dedicated to an electronic control (DTC, DWC, DSC,EBC) also feature.
These sectors light up individually when each control is in use. On the SP2 version, the GPS module is standard, adding an automatic lap time function, which instantly provides live split timing for track use.
By loading the optional Slick Ducati Performance Software, traction control curves expressly developed for slick and rain tyres are available. The ability to memorise the coordinates of five different tracks is also activated.
Five additional fully customisable riding modes are included in this add-on package, and the SP2 also comes with Ducati’s data analyser, for in-depth analysis of all performance data.
The 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 is available in single-seater configuration in Winter Test livery. Australian pricing will start at $56,900 ride away. For further information, please contact your local Ducati dealer.
