Ducati launches Project 1708 which is code for the V4 Superleggera on Thursday (6 February 2020).
It is expected to be one of the world’s most powerful street-legal super bikes with 167kW (224hp) at 15,250 revs.
Throw on the optional Akrapovic full racing exhaust system and power is boosted to 174kW (234bhp), even beating the supercharged Kawasaki H2 at 171kW (230hp).
That compares with the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory at 162kW (217hp) and new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade with 160kW (212hp).
CEO Claudio Domenicali gushed about the project in this invitation:
All the bikes we produce are a declaration of our desire for perfection. But nothing is comparable with the Project 1708 is a true statement of intent, it is thew monument in which we draw a line between trying and doing. Iy is out most pioneering creature.
Super light
As we can see from the top image plus this leaked photo (above), it will feature a lot of lightweight carbon-fibre bike.
So the bike will weigh just 152kg which is 20kg less than the V4R, hence the term superleggera (super light).
The Superleggera’s Desmosedici Stradale R V4 engine is a big jump up from the “standard” V4 with (155kW/208hp, 124Nm) and V4S/R (top of page) with 159kW (214hp).
However, it is expected to have a super cost as well at $US100,000 (about $A145,000).
Superleggera will be produced in a limited edition of 500. We expect they will only be available here on order.
It will also feature MotoGP livery, exotic components (top-shelf Brembo brakes and Ohlins suspension) with all-LED lighting.
Ducati is expected to start production in April 2020 with deliveries the following month.
Like the V4R, it will have bi-place wings plus extra winglets to increase downforce at 270km/h from 30kg to 50kg.