Ducati reveals new engine technology

Ducati has announced that it has developed the first motorcycle engine with variable timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. Currently, the Italian marquee has little or no presence in India.

Named Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing), the new Desmodromic engine is the first in the world with variable timing on both inlet and exhaust camshafts. This variable timing system is able to continuously adjust valve timing, by acting independently on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The system also optimises engine performance throughout the rev range and in any operating condition, to guarantee the highest power, smooth delivery, muscular torque at low rpm and reduced fuel consumption.

New generation

By independently adjusting both the timing of the camshaft controlling intake valves and the timing of the camshaft controlling exhaust valves, Ducati says the Testastretta DVT engine optimises high rpm performance for maximum power, while at medium and low rpm, it ensures smooth operation, fluid power delivery and high torque. This means that the vehicle's engine will adapt its characteristics according to rpm values, while always keeping emission levels and fuel consumption under check.

When a new engine is designed, one of the most critical parameters to determine its 'character' is the amount of intake and exhaust valve overlap. The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, expressed in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke and is normally a single value that does not change. However, the Testastretta DVT is not limited by a fixed valve overlap angle.

Instead, the Testastretta DVT's overlap angles can change, thanks to the introduction of the DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) system: a valve timing adjuster fitted to the end of each of the two camshafts per cylinder head. The DVT system consists of an external housing, rigidly connected to the cam belt pulley, and an internal mechanism which is connected to the camshaft and can independently rotate inside the housing. This rotation of the internal mechanism, either in advance or in delay with respect to the housing, is precisely controlled by varying the oil pressure in special chambers of the mechanism. The oil pressure is adjusted by dedicated valves and the timing of each cam is dynamically controlled by a sensor located in the cam covers.

Desmo attraction

The Testastretta DVT engine uses the unique valvetrain due to which the intake and exhaust valves are closed mechanically and with the same level of accuracy as they are opened. The term Desmodromic is derived from the Greek words, desmos - link and dromos - stroke, travel; in mechanical engineering terms, it refers to mechanisms designed to actuate valves both in the opening direction and in the closing direction.

This system, used in all Ducati models, has also been extremely successful in Ducati Corse World Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP motorcycles.

In the development of the DVT, the Desmodromic valvetrain represents a major advantage over a traditional spring based timing system; the actuation of the valves at low engine speed requires less force, not having to compress the valve springs, this allowed Ducati to limit the size of each cam phaser with obvious benefits in terms of lightweight construction and compactness for a perfect engine integration.

Ever-present strong torque

With its 106mm bore and 67.9mm stroke for a total capacity of 1,198cc, the newborn Ducati Testastretta DVT engine produces a maximum power of 160bhp at 9500rpm, and a torque up to 13.9kgm at 7500 rpm with a perfectly linear delivery curve. The torque is already 8.2kgm at a low-range value of 3500rpm, and it remains consistently over 10.2kgm between 5750 and 9500 rpm.

Ducati claims despite an increase in power, the DVT system has a positive impact on fuel efficiency, with an average 8 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous non-variable configuration.

Ducati's ongoing R&D efforts applied to injection systems have repositioned the fuel injectors to target their spray directly onto the rear of the hot intake valve, instead of the colder surface of the intake port wall. The resulting enhanced fuel vapourisation improves combustion efficiency and ensures a smoother delivery.

The Testastretta DVT is equipped with a Dual Spark (DS) system that uses two spark plugs per cylinder head, providing a twin flame-front that ensures complete combustion across a very short period of time. Each spark plug is managed independently, to optimise efficiency throughout the rev range and in all conditions of use. An anti-knock sensor ensures safe engine operation even while using lower octane fuel or in situations potentially detrimental to combustion efficiency, e.g. at high altitudes.

In order to achieve a smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation, Ducati has used a secondary air system similar to that developed for extremely high-performance engines. This optimizes combustion without increasing emissions, by completing the oxidisation of unburned hydrocarbons to reduce HC and CO levels.