Panigale V2 (MY20) – Ducati Ducati Red

The twin-cylinder Panigale has been given a thorough makeover. Renamed the Panigale V2, it takes a totally new design, it features sophisticated electronics based on a 6-axis inertial platform and, thanks to a more comfortable rider seat and the suspension set-up, offers better yet safer sports performance while making road riding more enjoyable and user-friendly than ever.  

The name informs Ducati twin-cylinder enthusiasts that the bike is powered by the 955 cm³ Superquadro.

Design

The perfect fusion of power and elegance

The new Panigale V2 Is a beefy yet compact bike of essential design with clear-cut lines that convey power without compromising classic Ducati superbike flair.

The Panigale V2 features the single-sided aluminium swingarm, the hallmark of every high-end sports Ducati. The extensive fairing highlights the more compact twin-cylinder Superquadro engine (smaller in comparison to the Desmosedici Stradale), creating a bike that is visibly leaner and less intimidating than the Panigale V4.

Engine

The 955 cm³ twin cylinder Superquadro engine complies with Euro 5 standards. Compared to the engine on the 959 Panigale it delivers an additional 5 hp and 2 Nm more of torque. it also features a new compact exhaust silencer, routed entirely underneath the engine.

With a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm, this twin cylinder engine delivers power smoothly and enjoyably on the road while remaining forceful – yet always under control – on the track.

The new silencer has a new internal layout and, back pressure remaining equal, abates noise spikes more easily. This has led to a considerable reduction in silencer bulk.

The Superquadro engine uses brass bushings for the crankshaft, lubricated with pressurised oil via ducting inside the crankcase. This ensures efficient lubrication of the crankshaft and rapid oil recovery thanks to a lobe pump that – as on MotoGP racing engines – lowers the pressure in the connecting rod casing. Operated by a shaft, in turn driven by a gear train, the pump keeps the casing zone underneath the pistons in a controlled, constant low pressure state, thus reducing the resistance encountered by connecting rod rotation at high engine speeds and ensuring efficient oil recovery at all engine speeds.

Transmission features a six-speed gearbox with the Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO 2 system and an oil bathed clutch. The latter has an anti-patter and progressive self-servo mechanism that compresses the friction plates when under drive from the engine without any extra effort required from the rider to release the clutch. 

Chassis

The Panigale V2 has revised ergonomics aimed at improving comfort. The new seat allows for greater longitudinal movement of the rider and greater comfort thanks to the new foam that raises it by 5 mm. The position of the footpegs remains the same.

The Panigale V2 frame consists of a compact, enhanced-strength die-cast aluminium monocoque structure that uses the Superquadro engine as a stressed member.

Suspension

The Panigale V2 features the 43 mm Showa BPF fork at the front, which provide full adjustability in spring pre-load, compression and rebound damping. The Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) considerably improves damping control at low speed, ensuring lower-pressure oil feed and reducing the amount of fluid needed for compression and rebound adjustment. This results in improved suspension performance and significant weight savings compared to traditional fork types. 

A Sachs steering damper completes the front-end package.The rear suspension features a fully adjustable, Sachs monoshock, which reacts to the motion imparted by the die-cast single-sided aluminium swingarm via progressive-rate linkage. The shock absorber is side mounted to make the unit fully accessible for rebound and compression damping and spring pre-load adjustments. 

The Panigale V2 has fork slide out by 2 mm and a new shock absorber 2 mm longer that together with the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tires make the bike more intuitive, agile and fun to ride, moreover a fine-tuning of the suspension hydraulic setting improve comfort in road use.

Electronics

The Panigale V2 features modern electronics based on a 6-axis inertial platform which instantly detects the bike’s roll, yaw and pitch angles.

The new electronics package raises active safety and dynamic control standards by adding the cornering function to the ABS, upgrading the quickshift so it now covers down-changes and including traction control, engine brake control and wheelie control.

As you’d expect, all controls are incorporated in the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Street) and can be adjusted via the new 4.3″ colour TFT dashboard. Featuring a user-friendly graphic interface browsing menus, adjusting settings and identifying the selected Riding Mode couldn’t be easier.