In reality, the year 2020 is the third time Ducati attaches the Superleggera tag to its superbike. It began in 2014 with 1199 Magnesium-based Superleggera chassis where the maximum power of 200 hp was generated from a motor engine that only weighed 155 kg.
In 2017 Ducati released 1299 more extreme Superleggera with chassis and carbon swingarm which produced a maximum power of 215 hp with a weight of 156 kg and in 2020, the new the Ducati Superleggera V4 utilizes the use of carbon material to make it super-lightweight.
As for the power, it is also quite astonishing as the Ducati Superleggera V4 has a maximum power of 221 hp @ 15,250 rpm produced by a 90-degree 994 cc V4 engine that can be higher than the V4R by presenting a lightweight camshaft and the use of a dry clutch which also helps to save weight and increase the engine revving.
In the case that the 221hp is still lacking, Ducati has prepared in its sales package the Akrapovic exhaust which is the official racing kit in the box. When the muffler is mounted on the bike, the power will surge by 10 hp to a maximum of 231 hp.
In addition to the muffler, the Superleggera V4 racing kit also features a carbon fiber clutch cover, rear license plate bracket, and front-rear lamp cover. While the racing kit is combined with slick tires, the new Ducati Superleggera V4 will have the potential to carve a 1: 52,450 lap time which is only 2 seconds slower than the WSBK Panigale V4R.
What makes Superleggera so light for a superbike is the decision to use carbon material in several detail parts that allow its to adopt. The main chassis is carbon which saves 1.2 kg in weight, the carbon sub-frame also saves 1.2 kg in weight.
Meanwhile, the carbon swingarm is 0.9 kg lighter compared to the use of aluminum material and of course, the biggest contributes to the weight of the Superleggera is the use of a pair of carbon wheels which can save 3.4 kg in total.
Such a fast and beast engine must be accompanied by sophisticated suspension and braking. Ohlins supplied NPX23 / 30 Front Fork and TTX36 Shock with titanium springs while Brembo supplied Stylema R. calipers to help tame the engine of the superbike.
The Ducati Superleggera V4 is also given an aero-wing. This Aero wing – winglet – was inspired by the Desmosedici GP16 winglet which once made a MotoGP uproar in the 2016 season. According to Ducati, the addition of the winglet could result in a downforce of 50 kg.
Not limited to selling motorcycles, Ducati also offers interesting offers and experiences to the new Ducati Superleggera V4 buyers such as a race suit with an Airbag System plus a carbon helmet, and a service where all Superleggera buyers will get a track test experience with one of the Panigale V4R WSBK motorcycle unit.
The irony is that in terms of emissions, the Ducati Superleggera V4 only passed the Euro 4 emissions, which means that in general the super-lightweight Superbike, which only produced 500 units, can only be sold in 2020. Because starting January 1, 2021, any product with Euro 4 tag is not allowed to be marketed in Europe.
