Ducati has sent out a press release saying ‘Project 1708’ will be revealed on February 6, 2020, and we suspect that the codename in question is that of the Ducati Superleggera V4. As Ducati had teased the motorcycle in the past, the internet is flooded with rumours on what it will have to offer. Now, with an official date on our hands, it looks like the wait is about to come to an end.
Earlier this week, Ducati shared some details about the bike with potential clients, and some of that information has surfaced online. So, we now know that the Superleggera V4 will be based on the 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine also seen on the Panigale V4 R. But just like the Italian manufacturer did with the 1299 Superleggera, the Superleggera V4 will use a lot of carbon fibre, in place of the lightweight aluminium used on the standard bike; the frame, swingarm, a lot of the bodywork, along with wheels will most certainly be carbon-fibre components. Superleggera is Italian for ‘Super-light’ and the Italians have managed to cut around 20kg from the Panigale V4 R, with the Superleggera V4 weighing in at a claimed 152kg (dry weight).
An insane $1,00,000 (approximately Rs 71.25 lakh) price tag has been quoted for the US market, but we’ll have to wait for February 6 to see if this is official. Stay tuned for more information.
Azaman Chothia
