The latest addition to Ducati’s lineup redefines lightness.
Ducati recently unveiled the Panigale V4 SP2, a motorbike for speed demons who want to trash their friends’ laptimes and righteously feel smug for having the lightest runner among them. Ducati themselves claim that this is indeed the ultimate track machine, which is quite a bold claim and demonstrates how Ducati is adamant of the fact. I’m pretty sure that bike enthusiasts are more than excited to know about further details of this new thoroughbred track monster, so let’s dive right into them to see if the new SP2 is up to its motto.
The Panigale V4 SP2 is based on the Panigale V4S and uses the same 1103cc V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine albeit spiced up a little more for extra zing. The power figure remains the same as 2022 V4S as it produces 212 HP, but customers can opt for Akrapovic exhaust system which gives a 12 HP power boost, resulting in 224 HP of power in total and will lose you five kilograms more, keep in mind, however, that the Akrapovic exhaust system is a hand-burning £5,000 optional extra.
Even though the V4 SP2 is designed to be as light as physics allow it, Ducati still wanted to keep it user-friendly like the model it’s based on, but just with less weight. But don’t think for a second that this new addition to Ducati’s already mad lineup is just a black-painted V4S with its exhaust replaced with a hosepipe as the modifications go way beyond major parts. Ducati’s obsession with lightness is further glorified in this model, this time, with using carbon fiber on almost any part, they really want you to ride a cloud and forget about all your mortgage problems in seconds, and let the addiction to speed kick in.
The pursue the ultimate goal of reducing weight to a plastic toy gun, the V4 SP2 is fitted with with carbon fiber rims, mudguard, wings that made out of raw carbon, lightweight Rizoma foot pegs and carbon heelguards. Putting the major parts on such a diet, however, was simply not enough for Ducati engineers, and they further lightened the model with WSB spec 520 chain which is 5 kilograms lighter than the already light chain of the V4S. Ducati also equipped the SP2 with STM-EVO dry clutch that features an improved anti-hop function that further aims to minimize power and grip loss while downshifting.
The V4 SP2 comes with electronic Öhlins suspension which allows you to adjust spring stiffness to alter the amount of engine braking. The brakes are also further enhanced with the addition of MCS radial master cylinder and new Brembo Stylema R calipers promising a much faster stopping time compared to the original brakes in V4S. In addition to the suspension and braking, the SP2 features a GPS logger and data analyzer which allows you to monitor your pace and save your laptimes so you can brag about how your cloud manifested as a motorcycle did in the racetrack, neat.
The V4 SP2 costs £34,295 ($44,715), of course, this price does not include the Akrapovic exhaust system which is a £5,000 extra. Considering how Panigale V4 SP2 is a motorcycle version of a Lamborghini Sesto Elemento owing to its obsession with total lightness, the price is surely worth the immense thrill of a speed machine that weighs just as much as your son’s small bike with stabilizers. It’s not as safe as the bike, but hey, this is all a part of the Ducati experience.
