Ducati is expected to unveil its most powerful twin production bike and lightest with a world-first carbonfibre swingarm in the next couple of weeks.
It will be unveiled at the Ducati World Premier on November 7, a day before the opening of the 2016 EICMA Show in Milan.
The current most powerful Ducati is the 1299 Panigale Superleggera at 155kg and 210bhp (156.6kW), which is the world’s most powerful twin.
It’s beaten only by the four-cylinder Kawasaki H2R (240kW), Honda RC213V-S and MV Agusta F4RC (158kW).
The new Ducati is tipped to have a host of carbon fibre components. They will include the whole chassis, BST wheels, monocoque frame/airbox and the first carbon fibre swingarm on a production bike.
That should make it fairly expensive. Much more than the current Panigale R at $46,990 (plus on-road costs).
It will probably also only be available as a limited edition model and maybe a track-only special.
Some details have been leaked to specific customers via secure, password-only websites. That seems to confirm they are being made available in very limited numbers.
There are no other details available, but we doubt it will be called Progetto 1408. That is probably a code name and will have nothing to do with engine capacity!
However, engine capacity may be bored out over the 1300cc mark.
Supersport unveiled
At the Intermot show in Cologne earlier this month, Ducati unveiled its SuperSport and SuperSport S powered by a 937c Testastretta engine. They will be released worldwide, including Australia, in March 2017 and are expected to start at less than $20,000, although pricing has not yet been confirmed.
However, there was no show at Cologne of the tipped 1200 Scrambler, entry level 939 Multistrada or updated 1299 Panigale. Those models may be unveiled at EICMA.
We also believe Ducati will unveil updated Multistradas and Monsters.
There will also be two new Scramblers – the “Desert Sled” dual-sport model and a Cafe Racer which could be an 1100cc 1200cc model.