Ducati has launched the Panigale V4 and V4 S at an introductory price of Rs 20.53 lakh and Rs 25.29 (ex-showroom, India), with deliveries to start in July 2018. These prices are almost exactly what we estimated in our upcoming bikes for 2018 story in December 2017. 

For 2018, only 20 units of the Panigale will be sold in India and the first two customers will win a sponsored Ducati Riding Experience racetrack course that will be held at the Sepang MotoGP circuit in June.

The Panigale V4 is the first production Ducati motorcycle to be equipped with a four-cylinder engine derived from the MotoGP Desmosedici. This Desmosedici Stradale engine is a 1,103cc, 90 degree V4 producing 214hp at 13,000rpm and 124Nm at 10,000rpm. The new design and frame of the V4 keep the kerb weight down to 198kg and the V4 S to 195kg. This weight, combined with the 214hp, means a power/weight ratio of 1.1hp/kg, putting the Panigale V4 S at the top of its segment.

Sergi Canovas, managing director of Ducati India said, “We have been overwhelmed with enquiries since the announcement at EICMA and as a result have opened bookings six months before the motorcycle even arrives in India”.

The electronics package on the Panigale V4 S includes ABS Cornering Bosch EVO, Ducati Traction Control EVO, Ducati Slide Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Power Launch, Ducati Quick shift up and down, Engine Brake Control EVO and Ducati Electronic Suspension EVO. You can read more about the tech on this bike here.

The V4 S is equipped with Öhlins suspension featuring the Smart EC 2.0 system with a new adjustment interface. The S also comes equipped with forged aluminium wheels and the lithium-ion battery.