A monocoque chassis, 195bhp, 164kg, sports ABS, 200/55 rear tyre, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), Ducati Quick-Shift (DQS), Ducati’s new race-derived Engine Brake Control (EBC), a Ride-by-Wire (RbW) throttle and Thin Film Transistor (TFT) dash are just some of the headline features that pepper the new Ducati 1199 Panigale S.
Monocoque Technology
The chassis merges multiple parts into one compact and lightweight component; integrating the airbox to become one of the key elements reduces the overall dry weight by an incredible 10kg. Using the Superquadro engine as a stressed member of the chassis, the short and strong monocoque is made in die-cast aluminium and is responsible for 5kg of the overall weight saving. Attaching directly to the rear of the engine, the new fully die-cast aluminium, single-sided swingarm is 39mm longer than the 1198’s.
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Electronic Suspension
The Panigale S and Tricolore are fully equipped with the Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) system by Öhlins. The fork is a 43mm Öhlins NIX30 unit, with electronically adjustable compression and rebound damping, while spring preload is manual. The Öhlins TTX36 rear unit features twin tube technology, and is also electronically adjustable for compression and rebound damping, while spring preload is kept manual, too.
The electronic adjustment can be made either by using the pre-set ‘Riding Modes’, or in independent mode, which allows you to use your own personal and saveable suspension settings.
New Brembo Brakes
Brembo’s new Monobloc M50 calipers also find their way onto the 1199, reducing unsprung weight by a further 0.5kg. They feature four 30mm pistons each, which then grip 330mm discs. This is combined with the Sport ABS, which uses the latest 9ME Bosch processor, and can be set in Race, Sport and Wet riding modes.
The Engine
Called the Superquadro, the name refers to it being an over-square configuration. With plenty of input from the Corse division, the motor was drawn up from a blank sheet. It uses a massive 112mm bore, which allows engineers to up the rev limits thanks to the shorter distance it has to travel through the ultra-short 60.8mm stroke. The wider piston also allows for a bigger valve surface area, again a feature that plumps power. Peak figures are quoted as a whopping 195bhp of power and 133Nm of torque. Feeding the frenzy are larger oval throttle bodies fed by twin injectors that are engaged by a new ride-by-wire software system.
The Desmo valve system is retained, but gone are the belts, replaced by chain and gear driven system that should improve reliability and allow longer service intervals. At the end of the exhaust cam drive gear is a clever centrifugal flyweight that retracts to rotate a protrusion to create inlet valve lift, decompressing the motor to help it start more easily. This in turn means the Panigale uses a smaller battery, saving 3.3kg in the process. Other features include a wet clutch with slipper, titanium valves and magnesium alloy casings.
The Panigale will be available in March, with prices starting at £14,995 for the 1199 Panigale, £15,750 for the 1199 Panigale ABS, £19,750 for the 1199 Panigale S ABS and £23,495 for the 1199 Panigale S Tricolore.
See the full Ducati 1199 Panigale technical specifications.
