Official: Ducati reveals new 1199 Superleggera [w/video]
 

Filed under: Performance, Motorcycle

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If Ducati is the Ferrari of motorcycles, then the 1199 Panigale is surely the two-wheeled equivalent of the 458 Italia. This, then, is surely the motorbike counterpart to the 458 Speciale.

Called the 1199 Superleggera, it's Ducati's new limited-production lightweight superbike. It's made of titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber to give it what Ducati claims is "the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle".

Based on the 1199 Panigale R, the Superleggera packs a 1198cc L-twin engine with four-valve cylinder heads to produce over 200 horsepower at a stratospheric 11,500 rpm and 98.8 pound-feet of torque. Built around a magnesium monocoque, the Superleggera features carbon-fiber bodywork and rear sub-frame, a lightweight lithium-ion battery and a titanium exhaust. Ducati has also given it an Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes and a World Superbike-spec drive chain, all of which helps trim the dry weight down to less than 341 pounds. By comparison, the next most extreme version of the 1199, the Panigale R, tips the scales at 364 lbs dry and is motivated by a touch less muscle: 195 hp and 98.1 lb-ft of torque.

Many of the bolts have been refashioned out of titanium, as have the exhaust valves and the racing-spec two-ring pistons. There's also a Race Kit for use on track that kicks in an extra 5 horsepower and cuts a further 5.5 pounds off the dry weight.

Like what you see so far? Try not to like it too much: only 500 will be built, three quarters of which have already gone to owners of previous special-edition Ducatis like the Desmosedici RR. But there's plenty more for knee-draggers to geek out on in the press release, along with the video clip below and the high-res image gallery above.Continue reading Ducati reveals new 1199 Superleggera [w/video]

Ducati reveals new 1199 Superleggera [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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