Ducati vow to keep V-twin in their sportsbike line-up until 2020

Despite unveiling their all-new MotoGP-inspired Ducati Panigale V4 just weeks ago, Ducati have confirmed they are far from stopping making V-twin sportsbikes. While visiting Ducati’s Bologna factory last week we saw scores of 1299 Panigale Final Edition models on the production line, being built alongside the new V4 superbike.

While previous versions of the 1299 were only Euro3 approved, and could only be sold in limited numbers this year under derogation rules, the FE is Euro4 approved, so Ducati can sell it in unlimited numbers in Europe until 2020.

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And, providing there is demand, Ducati say they will keep producing the FE until close to that cut-off.

Even when the 1299 superbike does finish production, Ducati say there will still be a V-twin in their sportsbike line-up, even if it’s just their super- mid 959 Panigale. Ducati’s new V4 motor is hugely expensive to produce and takes twice as long to assemble as a twin, meaning it isn’t suitable for a middleweight sportsbike that competes in a more price-sensitive segment.

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said: “We won’t see middleweight versions of the V4 for bikes like the 959 Panigale.

“The engine cost is very high. We’ll keep on making the V-twin for the 959. It’ll have a long life.”

Ducati also released a new version of the 959 for this year – the Corse edition, which features Öhlins NIX30 forks and TTX46 shock, stacked Akrapovic silencers and a special paintjob.

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