Ducati has given its World Superbike homologation model, the Panigale V4 R, a first update for model year 2023, raising the bar a little higher. The Italians claim a top power of 240.5 hp at a curb weight of 188.5 kg, although you do need a racing exhaust and special oil for that.
You would think that Ducati would have already anticipated the facts by incorporating white plates with the number 1 into the new MotoGP-inspired livery. But don’t blame them this time, Bautista’s lead in the World Superbike World Championship is enormous and it must be very crazy if Ducati is to miss the world title this year after 11 years of standing dry.
The new livery is immediately where the new Panigale is visually recognizable. That and a numbered plaque on the handlebars, unique for a non-limited production bike. Although… we don’t think thousands of these will be produced, a production run of 500 pieces is a lot more realistic.
The adjustments that Ducati has made to the 2023 Panigale V4 R are therefore completely under the skin, in the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, which can now reach a maximum speed of 16,500 rpm, although only in 6th gear. In the other five, the limiter is set at 16,000 rpm.
Remarkably, the homologated Euro 5 version has declined in top power. Ducati now claims a peak power of 218 hp at 15,500 rpm, where its predecessor was 221 hp at 15,250 rpm, which Ducati says is due to the strict Euro 5 homologation standard, which has limited the exhaust system.
That changes, however, as soon as you exchange the standard exhaust system for a complete racing system. Although you are no longer allowed to ride on the public road, and therefore only on the track, you will have 237 horses at your disposal – 3 more than its predecessor.
If you also add special racing oil, specially developed by Shell in collaboration with Ducati Corse, this leads, according to Ducati, to an increase in maximum power by 3.5 hp, which rises to +4.5 horsepower at the limiter, because the oil reduces the internal mechanical friction by 10%. Based on that 3.5 hp you are talking about a top power of 240.5 hp… for a production engine.
What Ducati has adapted to the engine internally? For starters, the pistons have been given a DLC surface treatment. DLC stands for Diamond Like Carbon, a special coating that is applied to reduce friction. In addition, the pistons have also been reshaped, which has made them 5 grams lighter. That sounds like little, but at 16,500 rpm, every gram makes a huge difference in inertia.
In addition to the new pistons, Ducati has also installed new titanium connecting rods, dubbed “gun drilled” titanium connecting rods by the Italians. That “gun drilled” stands for the 1.6mm oil channels drilled longitudinally, for better oil flow to the small end.
Other changes include a more aggressive profile of the intake camshafts, which have also been given 1mm more lift, allowing more air to flow to the cylinders. Combined with new variable-length intake cups, which are 5mm shorter in the short configuration, that should have improved breathing at high revs and with it peak power with racing exhaust.
In terms of gearbox, Ducati has given the Panigale V4 R the same gear ratios as the machines raced in the Superbike World Championship, as already applied to the Panigale V4 S in 2022, with an extension of the first (+11.6%), second second (+5.6%) and sixth gear (+1.8%) compared to the previous model. To improve shifting, Ducati has adapted the strategy of the up/down quickshifter.
The 2023 Desmosedici Stradale R 999cc V4 also features a new dry clutch derived from the version used in the World Superbike Championship by the official Ducati factory team. The diameter and the axial length have been reduced (-24 mm) and especially the weight has decreased by about 800 grams.
The greater effectiveness of the new Panigale V4 R on the track is also due to the application of all the electronic evolutions already introduced on the Panigale V4 ’22 and ’23, with the extension and evolution of the Power Modes, the new ” Track Evo” display on the dashboard, engine maps with calibration for each individual gear, refinements of the Ducati Traction Control and the Ride By Wire system, but also the application of the Engine Brake Control EVO 2 strategy, the new strategy for the DQS and the update of the cooling fan control.
To make the Panigale V4 R even faster and more usable in racing, the Power Mode logic already successfully implemented on the Panigale V4 and V4 S has been adopted, of course with calibrations especially for the Desmosedici Stradale R engine.
In terms of chassis, Ducati has followed the same evolutionary direction as the 2022 Panigale V4 and V4 S, while retaining full mechanical suspension tuning. The Öhlins NPX25/30 upside down fork has 5mm more travel, while the Öhlins rear shock has increased center distance from 312 to 316mm.
Combined with adjusting the standard swingarm pivot setting to the +1 position, this has resulted in a 20mm rise in rear end, which should make the bike easier to change direction.
Finally, the aerodynamic package has also been revised for greater efficiency. The new two-element winglets guarantee the same aerodynamic load, but are more compact and thinner (40% and 50% respectively). In order to improve the cooling of the engine block, the passages for exhaust air have been adjusted. An air inlet is now also provided on the left side to cool the sensor of the Ducati Quick Shift.
For the 2023 Panigale V4 R you have to dig deep in the pouch. With us in the Netherlands, no less than € 49,790,- has to be put on the table, with our southern neighbors that is ‘only’ € 43,990, but on the other hand, you have to spend a fortune on registration tax.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.