Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario: how it is made, performance

Ducati celebrates the milestone of its first century of history in the way that is most congenial to it, that is, pushing the boundaries of what a super sports car can achieve even further. Thus the extraordinary is born Superleggera V4 Centenarioa hyper-technological motorbike conceived without paying too much attention to limits, constraints and rationality, but rather with the aim of offering a unique and exclusive experience, capable of overshadowing even the protagonists of the Superbike World Championship. This “super Panigale” achieves its goal thanks to a sophisticated 228 HP engine which rises to 247 in track configuration, a chassis entirely in carbon fibre, including the fork sliders, and MotoGP-derived carbon ceramic brake discs, never seen before on a street-legal motorbike. All this compared to a dry weight of just 173 kg which even drops to 167 kg with the racing kits supplied. The Superleggera V4 Centenario thus goes beyond the already extreme limits set by the 2020 Superleggera V4, positioning itself as a new object of desire for the wealthiest enthusiasts and collectors.

1Design

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In terms of designthe Superleggera V4 Centenario inherits a large part of its lines from the Panigale V4 R of the Superbike world championship. There fairing it is entirely made of carbon fibre, left visible in some places, a material used for numerous other components including mudguards, cover tank, seat base, sprocket cover and license plate holder. Other elements such as the radiator cap, the footpeg plates and the steering plates are instead made from billet aluminium, with the upper one also sporting the laser-engraved serial number of the model. There special livery Gp26 Rosso Centenario is characterized by a dark red, taken from the first models of the Bolognese company, combined with intriguing white bands, and is similar to that adopted by the Desmosedici Gp prototypes of the current season. In terms of the aerodynamic package, to the now familiar winglets frontals are also added corner sidepodsabsent on the 2020 Superleggera, i.e. the appendages in the lower part of the lateral fairing that generate downforce when leaning to obtain a “ground effect” in the center of the curve, a solution initially introduced in MotoGP in 2021.

2Motor

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The Superleggera V4 Centenario is equipped with a new engine called Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 developed especially for her. This is essentially the engine used in Superbike with a displacement increased from 998 to 1,103 cc, a result obtained by lengthening the stroke from 48.4 mm to 53.5 mm. Euro 5+ approved, it is accredited with 228 HP at 14,500 rpm, but with the Akrapovič branded racing exhaust and the special Ducati Corse Performance oil, both included in the racing kits supplied, comes to express 247 HP at 14,750 rpm. The heads retain the 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R setup with 34mm titanium intake valves and 27.5mm steel exhaust valves, all with titanium cotters, but it is lighter than the 1,103cc unit in the dry clutch Panigale V4 by a full 3.6kg. The phasing of desmodromic distribution it is adjusted by hand and certified by a plate signed by the technician who took care of it. The 56 mm oval throttle bodies are larger than the Desmosedici Stradale and the exhaust system with larger diameter titanium manifolds flow into an approved underbelly silencer also from Akrapovič. There transmission It counts on the Ducati Racing Gearbox which has neutral positioned under first gear, rather than between first and second, to avoid involuntarily engaging it when braking and speed up the transition between the two lowest gears. Worthy of note is the Ergal crown, 0.69 kg lighter than that of the Panigale V4 S.

3Cycling

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There cycling it is the sector in which the Superleggera V4 Centenario offers its most ambitious solutions. The frame, swingarm, subframes and rims are all made of carbon fiber with the technologies used in MotoGP and Formula 1. front frame it is 17% lighter than the aluminum one on the Panigale V4 and has a calibrated stiffness to promote grip when leaning. The swingarm is 21% lighter than its aluminum counterpart, the 5-spoke rims save almost 300 grams compared to those of the Panigale V4 S Carbon and the two subframes mean another 1.6 kg less. As for the suspensionsthe Superleggera V4 Centenario is the first road bike to sport the pressurized Öhlins Npx 25/30 Carbon fork with unidirectional layered carbon fiber stays, of mechanical type to reduce weight as much as possible, 8% lighter than that of the Panigale V4 R and 10% compared to the standard variant. At the rear there is an Öhlins Ttx36 Gp Lw shock absorber with steel spring and non-adjustable titanium linkages. Last but not leastthe Superleggera V4 Centenario is also the first road motorcycle in the world equipped with carbon ceramic brake discs approved for road use, which compared to steel discs maintain greater efficiency at high temperatures, weigh 450 grams less each and have a 40% lower moment of inertia. This is a braking system obviously signed by Brembo which also includes new amplified monobloc calipers machined from solid with specific pads, cooling fins and differentiated 30 and 34 mm pistons.

4Electronics

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As is easy to imagine, theelectronics of the Superleggera V4 Centenario is at the absolute top of the category. It incorporates the entire system of the Panigale V4 R, but recalibrated and enriched with new strategies to offer more control. The list of devices present is obviously extensive and includes ABS and traction control with function corneringanti wheelie, slide control, power launch and a new engine brake control system that introduces the feature Dynamic Engine Brake, which regulates its contribution by also involving the rear brake. In practice, it simulates the work of professional drivers to allow everyone to travel narrower trajectories, improving their driving confidence.

5Limited edition

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The Superleggera V4 Centenario is essentially the showcase with which Ducati shows off what it is currently capable of in terms of technological refinement. It is a very high-end product, so high that it makes it almost impossible to identify rivals that are actually comparable in terms of features and performance. It will be made in a print run of 500 copies whose serial number, as well as on the steering plate, is shown in the dedicated animation of the dashboard and on the titanium insert of the ignition key. Each of them is equipped with exhaust racing high-passage, with Davc Race Pro software and dedicated lower fairing, open clutch cover and carbon fiber swingarm and alternator cover protectors. However, the kit to eliminate headlights, side stand, license plate holder and indicators, the fuel cap racing in aluminum machined from solid, the brake lever protection and the saddle racing in neoprene. Each model will also be accompanied by a certificate of authenticitydedicated motorcycle cover and mat and stands paddock.

6Tricolor version

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In addition to the 500 examples of Superleggera V4 Centenario, Ducati will also make 100 available to customers Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolorea particular variant of the model with an even more evocative color. Its livery is in fact inspired by the mythological 750 F1, the symbolic model of the Borgo Panigale company in the second half of the 80s and its last two-valve racing bike. Its unmistakable graphic scheme, with the colors of the Italian flag, has been taken up and refreshed for this motorbike in order to give it a more backmore appropriate than ever in this year of celebrations for the brand. We expect to see her on the catwalk next time too World Ducati Week 2026the maxi-gathering of the “reds” in Misano Adriatico which this year will take place from 3 to 5 July and promises to be already richer than ever.