A few days ago we talked about MotoGP stars Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies having a first taste of the brand new ‘Circuit Of The Americas‘ (COTA) in Austin, Texas, with the new Ducati 1199 Panigale R – the sportiest variant of the latest Ducati weapon that was introduced to the American crowd on the same day – and now we have received more pictures and more official details about the Italian manufacturer’s new flagship (as well as a nice video that you can watch after the jump).
The machine has been specially developed with enhanced technical specification by Ducati Corse for World Superbike homologation, and its design includes a number of specially developed components and enhancements intended for performance-lovers such as improved heat protection for the rider and the latest generation engine management mapping and Ride-by-Wire calibration.
The 1199 Panigale “R” takes basically everything the already known “S” model is currently equipped with – including top-of-the-range Öhlins electronic suspension – and adds some interesting new feature: the chassis now sports an adjustable swingarm pivot position and numerous weight-saving components in carbon fibre, the engine adopts titanium con-rods (which save an overall 0.
63 kg), a 0.
7 kg lighter crankshaft flywheel and DLC-coated rocker-arms.
These engine modifications now enhance the Superquadro crank acceleration and allow it to rev 500 rpm higher to a new 12,000 rpm limit, an incredible engineering achievement for 112 mm pistons.
The higher limit has also enabled the model’s final drive to use a 41 tooth rear sprocket (39 on the standard and “S” version), effectively delivery more torque to the rear wheel without compromising top-end speed.
The “R” race kit components consist of high-penetration racing screen, fairing mirror caps in machined alloy and a full Termignoni exhaust system with dedicated ECU mapping (for track use only): this allows for an impressive power increase of 3% at the top of the rev-range and 15% in the mid-range.
The settings are dialled-in using two user-friendly adjusters that offer pivot positions at +2 mm higher, -2 mm lower and -4mm lower than the standard position, providing optimum adjustability for competition use.
Additional enhancements alsoinclude lightweight carbon fibre rear hugger, rear suspension guard, heels guards, ignition switch surround and top fairing inner panels and carbon fibre protectors for the single-sided swingarm and clutch cover.
These lightweight chassis and engine components allow the Ducati 1199 Panigale R to weigh in at 165 kg only, and that’s with the ABS system fitted as standard equipment.
Other highlights include a special race-style seat fabric and the GPS-enhanced Ducati Data Acquisition system (for automatic lap times and circuit map-linked data).
The 1199 Panigale R is dressed in Ducati Red with distinctive white race features and a mix of red and brushed aluminium on the fuel tank.
“Ducati Corse” graphics in white proudly decorate the fairing side panels with the Ducati Corse logos on fuel tank top and front fender.