Ducati India has updated its flagship line-up today. The Italian brand has launched the 2022 Panigale V4 in three different variants – Standard, V4 S and the V4 SP2. Priced at Rs 26.49 lakh, Rs 31.99 lakh and Rs 40.99 lakh(all prices, ex-showroom), the Ducati offering has now become one of the most expensive motorcycles in India, especially the top-shelf V4 SP2 variant.
But what makes it a whopping Rs 14.5 lakh more expensive than the standard variant? First things first, all three variants get similar aerodynamics, ergonomics, engine, chassis, and electronics packages. The design too remains unchanged with the same old twin-pod headlamp design, muscular fuel tank, underbelly exhaust and a single-sided exhaust system.
The SP2 though, gets a special “winter test” livery, with a matte-black carbon finish and red accents all over its bodywork. Further adding to the exclusivity, it also gets a special billet aluminium steering stem which houses the bike’s name and number. It also gets a brushed aluminium fuel tank, a custom rider seat with what Ducati calls “dedicated material” and a V4 SP2 logo on top of it.
While both the V4 and the V4S get winglets, which claim to deliver 37kg of downforce at 300kmph, the units found on the SP2 variant are made of carbon fibre and finished with an Italian flag design. The performance upgrades don’t end here, the top-of-the-line model also gets carbon fibre heel guards, carbon fibre front fender, Marchesini forged aluminium wheels and an STM-EVO SBK nine-disc dry clutch.
Powering it though is the same 1,103cc, Desmosedici Stradale V4 motor, which makes 212.5PS of power and 123.6Nm of torque at 9,500rpm. Electronic aids here include power modes (Full, High, Medium, and Low), riding modes, traction control, wheelie control, slide control, engine brake control, Bosch cornering ABS, a bi-directional quick shifter and an auto tyre calibration. In addition to all of this, the SP2 gets the Ducati Data Analyzer+, which allows accessing the Ducati Lap Timer GPS.
The suspension on the standard model is handled by 43mm fully-adjustable Showa BPF forks at the front and a Sachs rear mono-shock. However, the S and the SP2 variant get a more premium Ohlins-branded front fork and a rear mono shock unit, both being fully electronically adjustable. Braking is taken care of by twin 330mm front rotors and a single 245mm rotor at the back.
With its new pricing, the V4 range now rivals the likes of the Kawasaki ZX-10R and the BMW S1000RR.
