This might just look like another fancy Ducati sportsbike. But it could actually spell the end of one of the most successful performance bike ranges in history. Because this Ducati Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition – as the name suggests – looks likely to be the last V-twin powered sportsbike from the Bologna firm.
And that’s a big deal. Because the firm made its name in the modern era with powerful V-twin engines, using desmodromic valve operation, in the early 1970s, with various two-valve air-cooled 90° layouts.
Then, in the early 1980s, the firm’s genius engineer, Massimo Bordi, developed a completely new engine architecture, with four valves per cylinder, fuel injection, and water cooling, as well as the desmodromic valve actuation.
The resulting engine, initially built as a 748cc, ended up growing to 851cc and 888cc, powering the Ducati 851 and 888 Superbike models from 1987-1992. The engine then grew again, to 916, and was used in arguably the most famous Italian sportsbike ever, the stunning 916 Superbike designed by Massimo Tamburini.
Ducati’s V-twin enjoyed incredible success from the start, especially in Superbike racing, where it swept the board (thanks in part to a bigger 1000cc limit against the Japanese 750cc four-cylinder engines).
That foundation of a four-valve head, desmo valves, fuel injection and water-cooling allowed more and more power, and the basic engine grew in size, to 955cc then 996 and 998, in the eponymous superbike models.
The 916 family was replaced by the 999, which was far less pretty, but enjoyed a new engine design, the Testastretta or narrow-head design.
The Testastretta was replaced by the bigger Superquadro lump, which ended up hitting 1,099 and 1,198cc before topping out in the 2015 Panigale 1299 at 1,285cc.
Ducati then dropped the V-twin for its unlimited-class sportsbike, swapping to the incredible Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine for 2018. But it’s kept a sporty four-valve desmo water-cooled fuel injected V-twin in its ‘middleweight’ class all along, from the 916-family’s 748 to the 999-family’s 749, then the 848 Panigale model with a ‘Testastretta Evoluzione’ engine design.
That grew in capacity to 955cc, which was the limit of the engine design, and was renamed the Superquadro engine, used in the 899, 959 and V2 Panigale models.
Which takes us back to the beginning, and this, the Final Edition V2 Panigale. The name is a big clue as to the future of the Superquadro engine, and the V2 sportsbike as a whole. And the Ducati press release says that this is ‘the final chapter in the history of the Superquadro twin-cylinder’.
The bike itself is gorgeous of course: based on the latest Panigale V2, with a load of trick add-ons, and a posh paint job that incorporates a technical drawing of the Superquadro engine.
The specs are impressive: 155bhp and 104Nm of torque, and 190kg wet. And this Final Edition FE model gets some sweet chassis parts: special numbered billet aluminium yokes, Öhlins 48mm USD front forks, Öhlins steering damper and Öhlins monoshock, Brembo M4.32 brake calipers, Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tyres and a 17 litre aluminium fuel tank.
There’s a load of collectors’ item stuff like the paint, numbered plaques and the like too.
The only question then is what will Ducati do next in the ‘middleweight’ class? A small-bore V-4 would be amazing, but it’s a massive investment for lower returns than with the big 1100cc motor. The new Hypermotard 698 engine would make a lovely single-cylinder lightweight sportster, but that’s even more niche than the current V-2.
A new V-twin seems like a sideways move – and would they then call this a Final Edition? Notions of a V-3, parallel twin, an electric powertrain or any other madness seems like just that – madness.
Perhaps, in the end, there just won’t be a V-twin middleweight sportsbike at all from Bologna. A sad state of affairs, but perhaps understandable in the current market…
Ducati’s Final Edition Panigale V2 Superquadro will be available from October, priced at £23,500. More info: www.ducati.com.
TECH HIGHLIGHTS
- Superquadro V-twin engine, 955cc
- Monocoque chassis
- 17-litre aluminium tank
- Öhlins 48mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable, with TiN treatment
- Fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock with single-sided aluminium swingarm
- Steering damper
- Braking system with Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers
- Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tyres
- Latest generation electronic package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): Riding Modes, Power Modes, ABS Bosch Cornering, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Engine Brake Control (EBC) ) EVO, final gear self-learning, buttons for rapid change of levels
- Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, full LED headlight with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Öhlins steering damper, automatic indicator switch-off, lithium battery
- Single-seat configuration
Exclusive Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition equipment
- Dedicated Superquadro Tribute livery
- Billet aluminium triple clamp with progressive number
- Dedicated rider seat
- Dedicated dashboard animation at key-on
- Dedicated contact key
- Silencer end, front and rear mudguard, swingarm protection, chain guard, clutch cover, shock absorber protection in carbon fibre
- Sports grips
- Adjustable footrests machined from solid
- GPS module
- License plate holder removal kit*
- Mirror removal kit in billet aluminium*
- Tank cap machined from solid aluminium*
- Dedicated motorcycle cover
- Certificate of authenticity