Ducati has globally unveiled the 2023 Panigale V4 R and it features a few significant changes that are said to have made it an even more potent tool.
2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R gets a larger 17-litre fuel tank
Gets new seat for better ergonomics, revised electronics
2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R: engine
At the heart of this motorcycle is the 998cc, Desmosedici Stradale R, V4 engine that makes a peak power of 218hp at 15,500rpm and 111.3Nm at 12,000rpm. This engine is capable of revving up to 16,000rpm in the first five gears, while in the sixth, it can rev up to 16,500rpm. To achieve such high rev numbers, the company has used lighter components while also changing a few engine internals.
The intake camshafts are new with the valve lift increased by 1mm. The pistons have a new geometry that has resulted in a 5 gram drop in their weight in comparison to the engine in last year’s bike. Along with the benefits of the lighter weight in the form of reduced inertia, the pistons get DLC surface treatment to reduce friction.
Ducati has also installed new, “gun-drilled-type” connecting rods that are said to improve pin lubrication, by allowing oil to flow from the head to the connecting rod’s foot. This improves reliability in extreme conditions.
Ducati says that complying with the stringent Euro 5 emission standards has affected the performance of the bike in standard trim due to the limitations caused by the exhaust system. In the ‘Race configuration’, however, the bike gets an Akrapovic race exhaust that bumps the power figure to 237hp, 3hp more than before.
In fact, using a specially developed engine oil and in combination with the race exhaust, the V4 develops 240.5hp. To put things in perspective, the kerb weight of the bike with the race exhaust is 188.5kg, and with the engine in the 240.5hp trim, it translates to a power-to-weight ratio of 1275.86hp/tonne.
The V4 has been paired with a gearbox with the same gear ratios that are used by Ducati’s WSBK race machine. The first, second and sixth gear has been lengthened, so, for instance, the first gear becomes more usable around circuits with tight corners.
2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R: electronics
Ducati has also made a few tweaks to the electronics package of the bike. Firstly, there are four ride modes – Full, High, Medium and Low. The latter drops power to 160hp to make it easier to ride in tricky road conditions.
In addition, the bike has a new Engine Brake Control software as well as a Quickshifter system that makes it smoother to use on the road and the track.
2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R: chassis
While there are no changes to the main frame, the Ohlins suspension has been revised. The Ohlins NPX25/30 fork has 5mm additional travel, while the Ohlins TTX36 monoshock uses a less rigid spring. The adjustable swingarm pivot point has also been raised, which, in turn, has increased rear height by 20mm. Ducati says these changes have improved the way the motorcycle enters into corners or changes direction, say while negotiating a chicane.
2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R: ergonomics and aerodynamics
The bike features a new, 17-litre brushed aluminium fuel tank, flatter seat and new upholstery that offers easier movement from side to side while placing the rider in a position that offers better support during cornering or braking.
Rounding off the list of updates to the Panigale V4 R are new aerodynamic bits. This includes new wings that are thinner and more compact while being capable of generating the same amount of aerodynamic load. The lower half of the fairing, meanwhile, has also undergone a few modifications to the layout of the extractors to improve engine cooling. There’s also a separate air intake to cool the sensor for the Ducati Quickshifter system.