2020 Ducati Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 [Model Overview]

A tribute to the Ducati 996 SBK

The new Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is characterised by livery inspired by the Ducati 996 SBK, winner of the 1999 World Superbike Championship with Carl Fogarty. The graphics, based on Ducati Red, are distinguished by the number holders of the front and the fairings, where the World Champion’s number “1” is proudly placed.

The lower part of the tank is crossed by a black stripe that extends to the frame and to the side extractors; it accentuates the side view’s dynamism and evokes the side panels of the 996 SBK’s carbon air-box side body panels.

The black colour is also found on the lower fairings and headlight housing, making the two front air inlets visually wider and more threatening. The rider seat exhibits the same colour combination as the bike, with a clear separation between black and red that extends to the rear buffer.

Stickers that reproduce the “Shell” and “Foggy” logos are available to apply on the side fairings and at the base of the Plexiglas respectively; these two details were designed to further strengthen the visual connection with Carl Fogarty’s 996 SBK.

This version’s racing look is completed by the magnesium-forged Marchesini Racing wheels, the Akrapovič titanium silencer and the several carbon and billet aluminum components.

Single-seater configuration

The tail of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is in a single-seater version to highlight the bike’s “ready-to-race” character. Its wing design is inspired by an aerodynamic spoiler and incorporates a full-LED tail light functionally divided into two parts, according to the tradition of Ducati sportbikes. The double red arch of the parking light makes the Panigale V4 unmistakable, just like its aggressive look.

“Diamond” tank

The plasticity of the “diamond” tank, a Ducati trademark, assists the rider at all stages of track driving. Thanks to its muscular shape it is possible to lean completely into the most extreme corners, lower the helmet for maximum aerodynamic efficiency in the straights and offer a strong lateral grip on the knees when braking deep into corners. It extends under the seat to lower the centre of gravity, thus leaving a portion of the subtail visible.

Desmosedici Stradale Engine

The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is powered by the 1,103 cm³ Desmosedici Stradale engine. A 90° V4 engine with Desmodromic timing system derived from the MotoGP is the only one of its kind in terms of its counter-rotating crankshaft and the “Twin Pulse” firing sequence. The engine can deliver a power of 214 hp at 13,000 rpm, and a torque of 12.6 kgm at 10,000 rpm, which makes it absolutely enjoyable, even on the road.

Approved Akrapovič titanium silencer

The exhaust sound of the Desmosedici Stradale engine is reinforced by the approved Akrapovič titanium silencers, 1.1 l lighter compared to that of the Panigale V4 S, which add a racing touch to the bike’s look thanks to the carbon fiber endcaps and the honeycomb grilles on the exhaust outlets, which recall the MotoGP world.

Dry clutch

The 90° V4 of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 uses an STM EVO-SBK dry clutch that’s made from billet aluminum. Compared to the wet clutch, it guarantees a more effective slipper function during extreme use of the bike on the track, even during the most aggressive downshifts, and greater fluidity during all “off-throttle” stages. In addition, the “mechanical” engine brake level can be customised by choosing a different secondary spring from those available in the Ducati Performance catalogue. The assembly of the carbon fiber open clutch cover, included in the equipment supplied, gives off the classic metallic noise, loved by all Ducatistas, just as it did at the time of the Ducati 916.

Racing aerodynamics
The aerodynamic package of the new Panigale V4 R includes: protective windscreen, headlight fairing, and side fairings to reduce aerodynamic resistance, air extractors to reduce operating temperatures in heavy-duty racing use, and the GP16-derived carbon fiber aerodynamic appendices that increase stability in all riding phases, reduce the intervention of electronic controls and increase rider confidence, who tends to keep the throttle open for a longer time and brake late into the curve.

Ducati Corse “Front Frame”

The “Front Frame”, which uses the Desmosedici Stradale engine as a load-bearing element, is the same as the one used on the Panigale V4 R but differs for the lightweight side panels. These lightweight panels are machined; they allow the weight to be reduced further and the rigidity targets, required by Ducati Corse, to be met.

Compared to the Monocoque, the “Front Frame” makes it possible to decouple the torsional and lateral stiffness so as to achieve the proper amount of pliability with respect to the stresses on the frame, better absorbing uneven road conditions in the curves and ensuring the necessary stability.

All this translates into a superior agility and precision that provides the rider of the Panigale V4 with an easier and less tiring control. The main difference in the layout compared to traditional solutions is the use of the engine as a structural element for the entire frame. The “Front Frame” features a compact frontal structure weighing only 8.8 lbs, secured directly to the upper semi-casing of the front bank and to the cylinder head of the V4’s rear bank, the engine block also serving as a connection point for the rear suspension and pivot point for the single swinging arm.

The most important advantage of the “Front Frame” is the use of the Desmosedici Stradale engine to achieve the desired rigidity, making it possible to significantly reduce the extension of the main frame – and therefore its weight – achieving a superior rigidity/weight ratio. To this advantage is added the fact that the reduced length of the uprights running alongside the engine has made it possible to design a compact motorcycle, especially where the rider sits. The chassis is completed by the lightweight front subframe made of magnesium and the chill-cast aluminum seat support, secured on the top to the “Front Frame” and at the bottom screwed onto the cylinder head of the rear bank. The rear suspension exploits levers attached to the Desmosedici Stradale engine by forged aluminum. The levers react to the movements of an aluminum cast single-sided swinging arm.

Semi-active Öhlins suspensions

The frame is combined with the Öhlins NIX-30 fork, the Öhlins TTX36 rear shock absorber and the Öhlins steering damper, controlled by the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0. control system. For the rider, this means having access to a higher level of control over the bike’s dynamics for the benefit of road safety and for lap times on the track.

Marchesini Racing forged magnesium wheels

Compared to the Panigale V4 S, the incredibly light Marchesini Racing forged magnesium wheels allow for a 1 kg weight reduction of the unsprung masses: this makes the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 even more agile and quick to lean when tackling bends.

The unique lightness of forged magnesium meets the classic 3-spoke style with the characteristic ‘W’ shape that expresses elegance and high performance. The magnesium wheels of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 take advantage of the Marchesini racing experience; these are uncompromising wheels designed for the racing world as well as the enthusiast who wants the best in technology. The weight of the unsprung masses is reduced by one kg compared to the Panigale V4 S.

Top-of-the-range Brembo braking system

The first-class braking system consists of two Brembo discs, with a diameter of 330 mm, at the front coupled with Brembo Stylema® monoblock callipers. The rear system is composed of a single 245 mm disc with a 2-piston calliper.

The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic package, based on the use of the Bosch 6-axis inertial platform (6D IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit) that includes controls to manage all the riding phases. The electronic equipment includes:

• Bosch EVO ABS Cornering
• Ducati Traction Control EVO 2 (DTC EVO 2)
• Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
• Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO)
• Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
• Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO 2 (DQS EVO 2)
• Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC EVO)
• Ducati Electronic Suspension EVO (DES EVO)