Ducati boss confirms plans for a cheaper range of V4s
Bologna developing low-maintenance ‘touring’ motor V4 Multistrada on the cards
Ducati are developing a cheaper, lowerperformance version of their V4 engine for use in new models, according to CEO Claudio Domenicali. The Bologna firm made the decision to dump V-twins for their flagship superbike when they debuted the new 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale motor this year in the new V4 Panigale and now they plan on getting a return on investment with a string of new V4 models. “There will be more V4s for sure,” said Domenicali, talking exclusively to MCN. “This engine is wonderful and it is a very strong platform because it is so solid. It is obviously very light, but the gearbox, the clutch the engine cases are very strong. In due course our top-of-the range bikes will go in this direction.”
But where will it go first? Cost of manufacturing means that the V4 motor will have limited applications. Ducati say assembly time is almost twice that of a V-twin and this means that there will be no middleweight with this motor. A prime candidiate would be Ducati’s new Diavel, but after seeing the bike at a viewing during World Ducati Week we know it’ll utilise the Testastretta DVT V-Twin, like its X-Diavel cousin. This leaves three options; a new V4 Multistrada derivative, a big sports-tourer, or a four-cylinder super-naked that will go toe-totoe with the likes of Aprilia’s V4 Tuono. In a previous interview the Ducati CEO indicated that it would be the Multistrada that we’d see first, but we think it will be 2020 before we see either bike. Ducati are sticking to the party line that the only new V4 that we’ll see unveiled later this year will be a new short-stroke ‘R’ version of the Panigale V4, with capacity cut down to below 1000cc for WSB homologation rules.
“There will be more in the future,” said Domenicali. Because we think we don’t want to just take this engine and use it as it is. The new motor will be one that will be based on this technology, but will be much more tuned for longer distance and lower maintenance costs and this is where our development is focused. It’s taking some time because we want to be right. But this is where we are going and it is exciting.”
O See page 8 for MCN’s guide to used V-twin Multistradas