Bologna firm updates its WSBK homologation weapon with dual-sided arm, more power, refreshed aero
Absolutely no surprise that we’re getting this new bike for 2026 – it’s the new Ducati Panigale V4 R superbike, which uses an updated chassis setup similar to the 2025 V4S, together with a refreshed 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine, making 218bhp in road trim, and a heady 239bhp with the optional Ducati race exhaust fitted and race oil in the sump.
The main bottom end engine mods are new lighter pistons, down by 5.1% in mass, and a new forged steel crankshaft with extra inertia. The motor now revs to a wild 16,500rpm in top gear – we remember when this was insane for a 400cc four-cylinder engine – and there’s a redesigned intake side, with new injector positioning, and revised exhaust cams to optimise combustion at high revs.
There’s big news in the gearbox as well, which now has the neutral at the bottom – a first on a road-going manual box (though some of the latest semi-auto gearboxes use this layout as well) – which makes for faster shifts between first and second gear.
Ducati’s also fitted a new neutral lockout system, as used on race bikes. You can only get the V4 R into neutral when you pull a lever on the right hand bar, preventing you dropping out of gear when downshifting on track. Neat.
Chassis-wise, it looks like a retake of the 2025 V4 S Panigale, with the ‘Hollow Symmetrical’ dual-sided swingarm, and minimalist aluminium front frame chassis design.
The V4 R gets extra adjustment on the chassis geometry though, to suit the different circuits and the rider’s riding style. The swingarm pivot height is adjustable to four positions in 2mm steps, and, as on the Superbike version, the rear ride height is adjustable via the suspension tie rod over a wider range (32.4mm compared to 13mm of wheel travel) than on the previous V4 R.
Finally, the rear shock absorber is designed for the installation of a linear suspension travel sensor for datalogging.
Running gear is predictably top-end (though ironically, a lot of race teams will be swapping out a lot of it) – Öhlins front and rear suspension, albeit manual kit instead of the semi-active electronic gear on the road-biased V4S model.
You get a lush pressurised Öhlins NPX25/30 USD fork with 43mm stanchions and an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock absorber. The V4 R also comes with the new Öhlins SD20 steering damper, a first on a production motorcycle, which provides better damping and a wider range of adjustments.
Brakes are Brembo Hypure calipers, with monster 330mm front discs, and there are neat forged aluminium wheels. The bodywork has also been revised, with even bigger front aerodynamic winglets, aimed at generating 25 per cent more downforce, now up to 4.8kg at 270kph and 6kg at 300kph, giving significant benefits in terms of stability during acceleration and precision at high speeds.
Ducati’s also fitted its ‘Corner Sidepods’ first seen on the 2021 Ducati MotoGP racebike. They’re designed to work at high lean angles, to generate a ‘ground effect’, ensuring a higher level of grip for the tyres and thus allowing higher speeds and therefore lower lap times.
When riding, especially at high speeds, the rider clearly feels that the bike, as soon as it reaches the apex of the corner, has already naturally moved to the inside, keeping tighter lines. This means that the acceleration phase when exiting the corner takes place along a tighter radius. Apparently.
Finally on the bodywork, a new dynamic front ram-air intake, developed with Ducati Corse, increases the amount of air drawn into the engine. That increases intake air pressure, giving a claimed extra 1.3 hp at maximum speed (essential when you only have 239bhp of course!)
Add in the latest ‘Ducati Vehicle Observer’ assisted electronic rider aids, a new 6.9” colour LCD, uprated cornering ABS, smarter traction and a new ‘Grip Meter’ display on the dash, and you have a pretty special package.
As it should be for £38,995 – though since that price is set by the WSBK homologation rules, it actually probably represents really good value… Get to your dealer now if you fancy some of the latest Ducati ‘R’-bike sauce for next year!
TECH HIGHLIGHTS
o Desmosedici Stradale R engine, 998 cc
o Maximum power of 218 hp at 15,750 rpm (US VERSION: 208.4 @ 13,250 rpm)
(235 hp at 15,750 rpm with racing exhaust accessory, 238.5 hp with racing exhaust and Ducati Corse oil)
o Forged steel crankshaft with increased inertia
o New, more efficient front dynamic air intake
o Lighter (-5.1%) cast aluminium pistons with DLC coating on one segment of the
skirt plus oil scraper ring
o Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) with Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL)
o Gun-drilled titanium connecting rods with controlled shot peening
o Titanium intake valves
o Oval throttle bodies with an equivalent diameter of 56mm, sub-throttle injector and reversed-opening throttle valves
o Dedicated variable-length intake trumpets shortened by 10mm vs.MY2024 o Cylinder heads with optimized intake ducts
o Sprintfilter P08 high-permeability air filter
o Kerb weight without fuel: 186.5kg
o Front Frame
o 17-litre aluminium fuel tank
o Manually adjustable Öhlins NPX 25-30 pressurized fork with 125 mm travel
o Manually adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber with 316 mm wheelbase
o Manually adjustable Öhlins steering damper
o Forged aluminium wheels
o Lithium battery
o Braking system with Brembo Hypure monobloc calipers
o Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 tyres with 200/60 rear
o MotoGP-derived corner side pods
o Larger biplane wings (+20 mm vs. Panigale V4 S, +25% downforce at 270 km/h)
o Ducati Vehicle Observer Strategy
o Latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D
IMU): ABS Cornering with combined braking and Race Brake Control; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO; Ducati Slide Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO; Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Engine Brake Control (EBC)
o Buttons for quick level changes
o New 6.9″ full-TFT dashboard with 8:3 aspect ratio
o Riding Modes (RaceA, RaceB, Sport, Road, Wet)
o Full-LED headlights with DRLs and turn indicators integrated into the headlight
o Single-seaterconfiguration
2026 Ducati Panigale V4R specs
Engine: Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4, counter-rotating crank, desmodromic valve operation, 16v DOHC, liquid-cooled, 998cc
Bore x stroke 81 mm x 48,4 mm
Compression ratio: 14:1
Peak power: 218bhp (160,3 kW)@15,750 rpm
Peak torque: 114,5 Nm (11,7 kgm)@12,000 rpm
Clutch: Hydraulically controlled slipper dry clutch. Self bleeding master cylinder.
Frame: Aluminium alloy “Front Frame” with optimised stiffnesses
Front suspension: Fully adjustable 43 mm Öhlins NPX pressurized fork with TiN treatment.
Rear suspension: Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit with adjustable rebound, compression and hydraulic spring preload.
Swingarm: Aluminium Hollow Symmetrical Swingarm.
Chassis adjustment: Adjustable pivot position +/- 3 mm. Adjustable rear suspension tie-rod length +/- 5mm
Wheels: 5-spoke forged aluminium, 3.50″x17″ 6.00″x17″
Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP-V4 120/70 17 200/60 17
Brakes: Dual 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Hypure® 4-piston calipers. Self-bleeding master cylinder (front), single 240mm disc, 2-piston caliper (rear). Cornering ABS with eCBS.
Dash: Digital unit with 6,9″ TFT display and Optical Bonding – 480×1280 resolution
Kerb weight: 186.5 kg (411 lb) (no fuel)
Seat height: 55mm (33.7 in)
Wheelbase: 1,477mm (58.1 in)
Rake/Trail: 2 4°/98mm
Fuel capacity: 17l
Rider aids: Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Brake Light (DBL), Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO, Auto tyre calibration, Engine Brake Control (EBC) DVO, Race Brake Control, Road eCBS
Equipment: Lithium-ion battery, Quick adjustment buttons, Forged aluminium wheels, Coming Home, Single seat configuration, Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) 3.0 with Öhlins Smart EC 3.0, Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO, TFT colour display, Full LED lighting system, Full LED headlight, Daytime Running Light (DRL), Self cancelling turn indicators, Lap Timer, Pit Limiter, Rear susopension rod with adjustable length, Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) with Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0, Billet aluminium steering stem with bike number, SD20 Öhlins steering damper
Supplied accessories: Machined mirror block-off plates, Open clutch cover in carbon fibre, License plate mount removal plug
Fitted for, not with: Anti-Theft, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Cruise control, Ducati Data Logger (DDL), Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Lap Timer Pro, Heated grips, Turn-by-Turn navigation system, USB port, Passenger seat and footpegs, Linear shock travel sensor
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited mileage
Service intervals: 12 months 12,000 km (7,500 mi), valve check 24 months 24,000 km (15,000 mi)
Emissions/consumption: Euro 5+ 167 g/km 7.2 l/100 km