Ducati Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition: tribute to an era

The success story of Ducati’s V-twin began in the late 1980s with the 851, Ducati’s very first liquid-cooled V-twin with 4 valves per cylinder. The 851 was followed a few years later by the 888, with which the success story of the Ducati V-twin in WorldSBK began.

In fact, no motorcycle has dominated the WorldSBK as much as the Ducati V-twin. The 888 was succeeded by the 916, which achieved iconic status at its launch due to its dazzlingly beautiful and timeless design. With the exception of the 999 (and its little brother the 749), Ducati has stuck to the design philosophy of the 916 ever since.

After the 916, 996, 998, 999, 1098 and 1198 Superbike, and 748, 749 and 848 Supersport, in 2011 Ducati launched the 1199 Panigale, the first Ducati Superbike not to feature Ducati’s characteristic trellis frame, which had made way for a monocoque construction with the engine as the stressed member of the structure, to which the front suspension and single-sided swingarm are bolted.

The Superquadro block, which owes its name to the high ratio between bore and stroke. The first version had a cylinder capacity of 1,198 cc, which was increased to 1,285 cc a few years later. Over the years, versions with smaller cylinder capacity also followed, first the 898 Panigale and then the 955 Panigale, which would be renamed the Panigale V2 after Ducati launched the Panigale V4 (and was also technically renewed).

Ironically, the latter was the very first Panigale V-twin with which Ducati managed to win the world title, but not in the World Superbike Championship, where Ducati never managed to do so, but in the World Supersport Championship, where a few years ago the regulations were completely overhauled and the Panigale V2 was homologated. In the hands of Nicolo Bulega, the Panigale V2 was unbeatable last year.

Ducati’s tribute to this revolutionary bike takes the form of a collector’s item. The Superquadro Tribute livery, designed by Drudi Performance in collaboration with the Ducati Style Centre, stays true to Ducati style by using the characteristic colours: white, red, black and grey.

The curve of the shield, on the upper half of the bonnet, extends to coincide with the shape of the bike and the number plate below follows its contours. The Superquadro becomes the protagonist of the livery thanks to the technical drawing on the sides of the fairing, in the exact position of the bike, leaving the grey tones in the background.

The dark and cold tone of the matt grey of the tank accentuates the contrast with the colours of the fairing and gives the bike a modern character. The colour scheme is completed by a saddle decorated with embroidery that adds elegance to the sporty style.

The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition’s chassis is enhanced by Öhlins suspension and steering damper. The Rizoma rider footrests are adjustable and made of billet aluminum. The front and rear mudguards, the end cap of the silencer, the chain guard, and the clutch and rear shock covers are all made of carbon. The battery is Lithium-Ion. The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition is offered as a single-seater. The dashboard animation when switching on and the ignition key are unique to this model.

For those who want to use the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition on the track, it is possible to use the kit for removing the license plate holder and the mirrors, as well as the billet aluminum fuel cap that comes with the bike and is already equipped with a GPS module for collecting DDA data.

Like every other collectible Ducati, the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition is made unique by the top yoke, in this case machined from solid material, which displays the model number. The bike comes with a certificate of authenticity and a personalized bike cover.

The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition will be available at dealers from October 2024.