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2023 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 First Look
As we had previously reported last month, Ducati is introducing a new Panigale V4 SP2, a numbered series production model it bills as “The Ultimate Racetrack Machine.” Internationally, the SP2 is a 2022 model, but for North America, it will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter as a 2023 model.
A follow up to 2021’s SP model, the SP2 takes all the updates the Panigale V4 and V4 S received for 2022, and adds a number of upgrades to make it worthy of the “Sport Production” label and $39,500 price tag.
These upgrades include carbon wheels, Brembo Stylema R calipers, MCS radial master cylinder, STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, lightened 520 chain, billet Rizoma footpegs and a matt black Winter Test livery.
According to Ducati, the SP2’s five-split spoke carbon rims are 3.1 pounds lighter than the aluminum forged wheels of the Panigale V4 S. Ducati also claims a 26% reduction in inertia for the front wheel and a 46% reduction at the rear. Along with a number of other carbon components, the wheels contribute to a claimed curb weight of 428.7 pounds, down from the Panigale V4 S’ claimed 431 pounds.
The Brembo monoblock Stylema R calipers are a step up from the Panigale V4 S’ Stylema M4.30 units. The Brembo MCS (Multiple Click System) radial master cylinder offers three configurations to customize braking feeling.
The front brake lever is adjustable via a knob on the left grip, and both levers are milled at the ends to reduce drag. The Rizoma footpegs are also adjustable and further build upon the improved ergonomics of the 2022 Panigale V4 range.
The Panigale V4 SP2’s STM-EVO SBK dry clutch and 520 chain final drive are inherited from Ducati’s World Superbike machines. According to Ducati, the dry clutch offers an improved anti-hopping function and better “off-throttle” fluidity compared to the wet clutch of the V4 S. The clutch also allows for a secondary spring upgrade from the Ducati Performance catalog to customize the engine brake level.
Like the relatively pedestrian Panigale V4s, the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine receives a 1.5 hp increase in peak horsepower to a claimed 215.5 hp at 13,000 rpm for Euro 5 models, but North American models make due with a mere 210 hp at 12,500 rpm. Ducati will also offer an Akrapovič titanium exhaust that claims to add another 12.5 hp while increasing the maximum torque from a claimed 90.6 lb-ft. to 96.6 lb-ft.
The chassis is also unchanged from the V4 S, with a fully adjustable NPX25/30 43mm inverted fork and TTX36 shock from Öhlins, with the event-based Smart EC 2.0 electronic compression and rebound damping adjustments.
Other electronic features include selectable riding and power modes, Cornering ABS EVO, Traction Control EVO 3, Wheelie Control EVO, Slide Control, Engine Brake Control EVO, up and down EVO2 quick shift, and launch control. The Panigale V4 SP2 also comes standard with the GPS module which enables an automatic lap time function, and the Ducati Data Analyzer for an in-depth look at track data.
The 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 comes with a track kit for removing the license plate holder, and open carbon clutch cover, and billet aluminum plates for mirror removal. It will arrive in U.S. showrooms later this year with a price of $39,500.
| 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 US Specifications | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $39,500 |
| Engine | Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4, counter-rotating crankshaft, 4 Desmodromic timing, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 1,103 cc |
| Bore X Stroke | 81 x 53.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14.0:1 |
| Power | 154.5 kW (210 hp) @ 12,500 rpm |
| Torque | 122.8 Nm (90.6 lb-ft) @ 11,000 rpm |
| Fuel Injection | Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies. Variable length intake system |
| Exhaust | 4-2-1-2 system, with 2 catalytic converters and 4 lambda probes. |
| Gearbox | 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2 |
| Primary Drive | Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.80:1 |
| Ratio | 1=36/15 2=34/17 3=33/19 4=32/21 5=30/22 6=27/22 |
| Final Drive | Chain 520; Front sprocket 16; Rear sprocket 41 |
| Clutch | Hydraulically controlled slipper dry clutch. Self bleeding master cylinder. |
| Frame | Aluminum alloy “Front Frame” with optimized stiffnesses |
| Front Wheel | 5-split spoke carbon fiber 3.50″ x 17″ |
| Rear Wheel | 5-split spoke carbon fiber 6.00″ x 17″ |
| Front Tire | Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear Tire | Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 200/60 ZR17 |
| Front Suspension | Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurized 43 mm fully adjustable fork with TiN treatment. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based mode. 4.9 inches of travel. |
| Rear Suspension | Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 unit. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based mode. Aluminum single-sided swingarm, 5.1 inches of travel. |
| Front Brake | 3 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Stylema® R 4-piston calipers with Bosch Cornering ABS EVO. Self bleeding Brembo MCS 19.21 master cylinder. |
| Rear Brake | 245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper with Cornering ABS EVO |
| Instrumentation | Last generation digital unit with 5″ TFT color display |
| Dry Weight | 173 kg (381 lb), claimed |
| Curb Weight | 194.5 kg (428.7 lb), claimed |
| Seat Height | 850 mm (33.5 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1.469 mm (57.8 in) |
| Rake | 24.5° |
| Front Wheel Trail | 100 mm (3.94 in) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17 l – 4.49 gallon (US) |
| Number Of Seats | Single seat |
| Safety Equipment | Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 3, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, Auto tire calibration |
| Standard Equipment | Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, Full LED lighting with Daytime Running Light (DRL) Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) EVO with Öhlins suspension and steering damper, Quick adjustment buttons, Lithium-ion battery, Auto-off indicators, Racing style handle grips, Chain guard, Carbon fiber wheels, Carbon fiber front mudguard, Wings in carbon fiber, Adjustable rider footpegs in aluminum with heel guard in carbon fiber, Billet aluminum steering stem with bike number, Machined brake and clutch levers |
| Additional Equipment | Machined mirror block-off plates, License plate mount removal plug, Carbon fiber open clutch cover,Ducati Data Analyzer+ (DDA+) with GPS module |
| Ready For | Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Anti-theft, Heated grips |
| Warranty | 24 months unlimited mileage |
| Maintenance Service Interval | 12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 12 months |
| Desmoservice | 24,000 km (15,000 mi) |
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