Ducati: New Panigale V2 in the first test 🎥

Daniele Carrozza, Editor-in-Chief of TÖFF magazine, presents the Panigale V2.

The unchanged 955 cubic centimeter 90° V2 of the new Panigale V2 is bolted to a monocoque frame front end as a load-bearing element at the cylinder heads. A new single-sided swingarm is mounted in the rear of the engine housing. Like its V4 sisters so far, the Panigale V2 now has a two-layer casing for optimum aerodynamics, stability and heat dissipation from the engine.

Euro 5 and five hp increase in power
The Euro 5 emissions regulations that will apply from 2020 demanded, among other things, larger catalytic converters, but these now find room in a more compact exhaust system. As part of the revision of the Superquadro, the Ducati engineers found another 5 hp (new 155 hp) and 2 Nm (104 Nm), for example, through larger injectors with an adjusted injection angle and revised intake ducts. The suspension tuning has also been revised. The front was raised by 2 mm, the rear by 5 mm. As a result, the steering head is steeper and the caster was shortened by 2 mm to 94 mm.

Elaborate electronics update
The Panigale V2, which now has a 6D IMU, is also state-of-the-art electronically: 3-stage adjustable cornering ABS, 8-stage adjustable, lean angle-dependent traction control, engine brake control (3 stages), wheelie control (4 stages) and a lean angle-dependent, bidirectional quickshifter, which together with the assist slipper clutch and engine brake control also guarantees very fine clutch-free downshifts. Plus three freely modelable driving modes, TFT display, LED lighting, etc.

Supercar for the country road
A new seat cushion increases longitudinal freedom of movement and seating comfort. The small Panigale is, after all, supposed to be the most road-going Panigale. "...presents itself gently and pleasantly on the road and powerfully, but always easily controllable on the race track." is said about the Panigale with short-stroke V2. The slim "little Pani" has a comparatively narrow 180 rear tire, which additionally supports the nimble handling compared to the big 1000s.

Jerez adventure on MotoGP track
Unfortunately, we could not ride the Panigale V2 on the country road on the occasion of the presentation in Jerez (E), but on the much vaunted MotoGP track. Here, the Superquadro is always kept in the right rev range to fully exploit its potential. Spoiled by powerful four-cylinder engines, it takes a bit of getting used to until you get the right shift points.
I repeatedly end up in the rev limiter or in low rev ranges, where the hoped-for fullness of power is not available.

Agile and confidence inspiring
The handling of the Panigale V2, which has a decidedly slim design without lateral frame parts, is very agile. Nevertheless, it behaves stably at high speeds and on the brakes. Corrections are easy to make. Particularly enthusiastic is how deep into corners can be braked without the Italian pushing on the wide line. The cornering ABS gives additional confidence. The Panigale V2 is a splendid fighting machine that misses more power less and less with increasing driving time and lets the available power be used more and more optimally. The promised additional road capability has definitely not had a detrimental effect on the racetrack performance!
Detailed ride reports will appear in the next issues of Moto Sport Schweiz and TÖFF magazine.

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