Humans have always had a fascination with speed. It is the addictive surge of adrenaline that pushes us to break barriers and records. Now, putting the focus on two-wheeled vehicles, things become even more interesting.
Motorcycle manufacturers have always been set on surpassing previous records when it comes to speed runs and track timings. Some have the simple but effective method of using insanely powerful engines while others go the extra mile and show us that having the most powerful engine is just the tip of the iceberg.
The limited-edition Superleggera V4 takes engineering to the extreme; it is the current holder of the fastest Ducati title.
Superleggera V4 Is The Fastest Ducati
Superleggera means “Superlight” in Italian, which pretty much sums up what this monstrosity is all about. This Ducati is a hardcore modified version of the Panigale V4 R, which also happens to be their fastest regular series bike.
It is powered by a 60.9 cu in (998 cc) V4 engine that produces 234 hp when equipped with the optional lightweight titanium Akrapovic exhaust and 87.7 lb-ft of torque. Yet, these performance figures are just the tip of this iceberg as every component used on the Superleggera V4 is made of carbon fiber, which gives it an insanely low dry weight of 335.5 lbs (with the racing kit).
Acceleration And Top Speed
The application of lightweight materials gives the Superleggera a power-to-weight ratio of 0.697 hp/lb. To put things into perspective, the 1,500 hp Bugatti Chiron Sport has a ratio of 0.344 hp/ pound. Now, let that sink in as we are only halfway into unraveling the unbelievable engineering that has gone in the creation of the fastest Ducati.
Granted the specifications mentioned above are for the track purposed variant, but even in its road-legal format, it is rated at an extraordinary 0.64 hp/lb. The impressive power-to-weight ratio allows the Superleggera the ability to go 190 mph. The 0-60 time is still undisclosed, but the standard Panigale V4 R manages it in just 3.21 seconds. Which makes the Superleggera too fast for speed cameras.
The Engineering
The Ducati Superleggera V4 is the world's first production motorcycle with carbon fiber stress-members (e.g., frame, swingarm, and wheels). This shaves off nearly 15 lbs from the overall curb weight as compared to aluminum components. Keeping such a light machine on the ground is no easy task and thus the biplane winglets derived from their MotoGP bikes come into play here.
These meticulously positioned wings can deliver 110 lbs of downforce at 168 mph which allows the rider to go all-out on the track and still keeps things stable at all times. Suspension duty is taken care of by Ohlins and braking by Brembo, both of which are well-modulated to work with this flight-ready bike. The weight saving methods used in this Ducati is so aggressive it even uses titanium fasteners that help shave off 0.7 lbs.
The engineers at Ducati have spent some serious time perfecting the Superleggera V4 and it has turned out to be the most insane bike they have ever created. Only 500 of these elusive machines will be made and each owner will get the option to buy an exclusive Superleggera V4 premium Dianese D-Air leather suit with an integrated airbag and a carbon fiber Arai helmet to match their recent acquisition.
Keeping its insane engineering and exclusivity in mind, the 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 is expected to be priced in excess of $100,000. But the bummer here is that all 500 of them have been sold out and deliveries have already commenced. Just make sure to not blink and miss out on one of the coolest Italian motorcycles ever built when it whizzes by.
Sources: Autoblog.com, Ducati.com, Robbreport.com, Vigriliomotori.com