Ducati Renews its V2 for Panagale and Streetfighter

Ducati has shown off its new twin-cylinder sports bikes, unveiling the latest Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2. The former is essentially the replacement for the Panigale 959 and SuperSport 950 and 950S.

They are naturally the lightest yet. Ducati says they are both optimised for use on road and track. It says they set a “new benchmark for compactness and lightness among Borgo Panigale twin-cylinders”.

Panigale V2

This is evidently a clean-sheet effort, aiming for an easy-to-ride character and enjoyment on road. Featuring a brand new Ducati 90 degree V2 engine and a 4kg monocoque frame it weighs 15kg less than its V2 S predecessor. 

The main aim was generous power delivery at low revs, along with plenty up top, naturally. And for the engine to meet Euro5+ emissions regs which the Superquadro V2 engine couldn’t. Ducati says that 70 per cent of peak torque is on tap from 3000rpm, and 80 per cent above 3500rpm.

However, the new V2 engine produces just 89kW, a fair ways down on the outgoing Superquadro V-twin’s 110kW. That said, capacity is less at 890cc vs 955cc, and peak torque is relatively generous at 94Nm versus 104Nm. With variable valve timing it should prove more useable on road.

It’s also a lightweight, the engine scaling up at 54.5kg, almost 10kg less than the former L-twin. And since the bike is lighter, the power deficit doesn’t seem to have slowed it up much. It is only a poofteenth slower around the Vallelunga Circuit than the former baby Panigale.

New Panigale styling reminds of the V4 version, mixing aggression with elegance, although there are no winglets. A passive ventilation system in the fairing channels fresh air towards the rider and moves the hot air away from the radiator.

Up front it features the full-LED headlight with double DRL that gives it the Panigale family look. The tank is designed to support the rider in sporty riding. A new ergonomic riding triangle aims to reduce the load on the wrists (yay, the last one was horrid) while maintaining front-end feedback when cornering.

At the rear the full-LED taillight is divided into two parts, in keeping with the tradition of Ducati sportbikes. The exhaust, which ends with two silencers positioned under the seat, harks back to the Panigale’s racing tradition.

The “Y” profile wheel shape is a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Marchesini three-spoke look. In black the wheels contrast with the full Ducati Red livery.

So while performance is akin to that of the previous model new Panigale offers an ease of riding alien to its predecessor. Ducati says the rider feels at ease from the very first corner on the new bike and “can more easily reach the limit and maintain it throughout the session”.

The V2 S version gets Ohlins suspension and a lithium ion battery while V2 uses Marzocchi forks and KYB monoshock, both fully adjustable. Brakes are Brembo M50 monoblocs while tyres are Diablo Rosso IVs.

On the road, Ducati suggests it is the “easiest and most enjoyable Ducati sportbike ever”. The riding position is less loaded on the front, and the heat off the engine is dealt with more effectively. 

Streetfighter V2

Ducati has applied a similar formula to its supernaked, creating the lightest Streetfighter yet, at home on the road and track. It uses the 89kW 890cc VVT engine and Panigale V2 chassis, weighs in at 175kg (oiled bu minus fuel) and features wide and high handlebars like its predecessor. There’s no fairing either, being a streetfighter. When using the new V2s on track, a racing exhaust increases maximum power to 94kW, while also reducing weight by 4.5kg.

This new model is almost 18kg lighter than its forebear and that’s mainly due to the lightweight monocoque frame and the new 90° V2 engine. Ducati says the new Streetfighter V2 is nimble and stable in equal measure. Evidently it remains “faithful as ever to the spirit of the original”.

The design of the new V2 has the masses concentrated up front, “transmitting an image of attitude and dynamism” and underlining the compactness of the new V2 engine. Up front it is “sharp and adrenaline-filled”, with a full-LED headlight unit and DRL.

The fuel tank, the faired seat/tail unit and the light alloy wheels are identical to those of the new Panigale V2.

Three power modes are High, Medium and Low, the latter throttling things back to 71kW. Four ride modes are Race, Sport, Road and Wet.

The frame is a lightweight monocoque, using the engine as a stressed member. The double-sided swingarm is like that of the Panigale V4, allowing the rider to make the most of modern tyres. Suspension is fully adjustable, as per Panigale V2.

To maintain stability without a fairing, the Streetfighter V2 features a swingarm that is 30mm longer than that of the Panigale V2. It also has a Sachs steering damper as standard.

New cast alloy wheels are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres in 120/70 and 190/55 sizes. The Brembo front braking system consists of two 320 mm discs and M50 monobloc calipers, offering power for track use and modulation for road use.

For safety, both bikes feature a six-axis IMU inertial platform, meaning cornering ABS and TC. There’s also wheelie control, engine brake control and Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, like on the Panigale V4. The S versions get launch control and pit limiter as standard.

The dashboard is a new 5″ TFT that offers three views, two for road, one for track. The rev counter also acts as a gear shift indicator, lighting up green at the ideal shift point. Lots of options and accessories are available for both machines.

They both go on sale in Q1 next year. The Panigale and Streetfighter V2 will have a two-seater layout, while the V2 S versions will be available in a single-seater configuration.

Expect the new V2 engine to show up in Multistrada, Monster and Scrambler at some point.