Ducati Unveils the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition
Is this the end of the L-Twin Ducati sportbike?
Ducati announced the end of the line for its middleweight supersport with the introduction of the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition. The full press release will be included at the bottom of this post, and we’ll summarize the highlights as well, but the announcement does raise a big question: Is this the last time we’ll see a V-Twin power a Ducati sportbike? Judging by the wording of the press release, the answer very well could be yes. But more on that in a minute.
Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition Features
Before we get into the speculation, let’s dive into the last installment of the Panigale V2. Similar to the treatment it gave the 1299 Panigale Final Edition when it wrote off the big V-Twin, Ducati’s sending the V2 off in style. For starters, the FE will be limited to just 555 units, each numbered bike will also come with a certificate of authenticity and a dedicated cover.
As for the bike itself, the V2 FE will have a special tribute livery designed by Drudi Performance in conjunction with the Centro Stile Ducati. A technical schematic of the highly oversquare Superquadro engine will be overlaid on the fairing in the same position the actual engine sits behind said fairing.
The Final Edition will also have a billet aluminum triple clamp which will have the serial number of the bike attached to it. From there, finishing touches like a dedicated seat, key-on animation, and key are part of the deal. Of course, a special edition bike deserves some carbon fiber, and you’ll find it here on the end of the silencer, front and rear fenders, swingarm protector, chain guard, clutch cover, and shock protector.
Rizoma is contributing to the project with adjustable foot rests made from billet aluminum, and there’s also a GPS unit to allow for data acquisition should you want to take the bike to the track. If that’s the case, the FE also comes with a license plate holder removal kit, mirror delete made from billet aluminum, and a fuel tank cap also made from billet. For further information on the bike, see the full press release at the end of this article.
Is This The End?
It used to be blasphemy to think Ducati would ever abandon the V-Twin in its supersport models, but when the Panigale V4 was introduced for the 2019 model year, Ducati told the world that it wasn’t afraid to break with long-held traditions. At least not in the sportbike category. It appears as though the same is about to happen with the middleweight supersport, too. This sentence from the press release all but confirms it, "The climax of a long series, which began over thirty years ago, of 90° V2 engines with desmodromic four valve per cylinder distribution."
That leaves us guessing, “what’s next?” Surely Ducati aren’t just abandoning the middleweight supersport sector, especially since it won the (controversial) World Supersport and MotoAmerica Supersport categories in recent years. As we’ve come to notice right before our eyes, the landscape of the supersport category is changing wildly from the days of 600cc inline-Fours. Now the definitions aren’t so clear, as evidenced by a 955cc V-Twin now being considered a “middleweight.” What we feel confident about is that Ducati has something up its sleeve. We just don’t know what.
With Ducati breaking the mold with a V4 engine, and then a Single, the possibilities are plenty. Maybe it’ll follow along the lines of much of its competition and build a Parallel-Twin. Or maybe a Triple. Our best guess is this new middleweight bike will house a smaller V4, to better follow the lineage of its bigger brother.
What do you think it’ll be? Let us know in the comments.
Begin press release:
Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition, a tribute to the most sophisticated Ducati twin-cylinder engine
- A collectible Panigale V2, in a limited and numbered series of 555 units, to celebrate the final chapter in the history of the Superquadro twin-cylinder
- High-value components complete an exclusive livery designed by Drudi Performance in collaboration with the Centro Stile Ducati.
- The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition will be available in October, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and motorcycle cover
A limited edition collector's Panigale V2. A token of gratitude and love for the Superquadro family of engines, the most sophisticated twin-cylinders ever produced by Ducati. The climax of a long series, which began over thirty years ago, of 90° V2 engines with desmodromic four valve per cylinder distribution.
Engines that have been the technical hallmark of Ducati Superbikes and Supersport, giving birth to iconic bikes such as the 748, 749, 848, 899 and 959, up to the current Panigale V2. This collector's Panigale, produced in a limited and numbered series of 555 units, is a tribute to the Superquadro engine, whose story comes to fruition with Nicolò Bulega's conquest of the first Supersport world title.
The first Superquadro engine was created in 2011 for the 1199 Panigale. The name derives from the high ratio between bore and stroke, which in the 1285 cc displacement has allowed it to deliver an absolute benchmark maximum power value for a twin-cylinder. Evolved over the years, it has also seen the birth of smaller displacement versions, first 898 and then 955, the latter capable of winning the first Supersport world title for Ducati in 2023 with Nicolò Bulega, and of winning the MotoAmerica Supersport title in 2022 and 2023.
The technical solutions of the Superquadro twin-cylinder have set new standards for refinement and sophistication. The crankcases were made by Vacural® casting, with aluminium pressed-in cylinder liners equipped with NikaSil coating which allowed the heads to be fixed directly on the crankcases. The head, clutch and oil pan covers are made of magnesium. All this has helped to develop an extremely compact and rigid engine, a stressed element of an innovative chassis based on an unprecedented monocoque frame.
The desmodromic distribution has seen the adoption of "super-finished" rocker arms coated with DLC treatment, to reduce friction and increase resistance to fatigue. The mixed chain/gear control has set new benchmarks in terms of efficiency and reliability.
In the case of the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition, the Superquadro adopted is the one with a displacement of 955 cc, as enjoyable on the road as it is effective and responsive on the track, with its 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm.
Ducati's tribute to this revolutionary engine takes the form of a collector's bike. The Superquadro Tribute livery, created by Drudi Performance together with the Centro Stile Ducati, remains faithful to the Ducati stylistic language by using the characteristic colours: white, red, black and grey.
The curve of the shield, on the upper half cowl, stretches out to coincide with the shape of the bike, and the numberplate underneath follows its outline. The Superquadro becomes the protagonist of the livery thanks to the technical drawing on the sides of the fairing, in the exact position of the engine, playing on the grey tones to remain in the background. The dark and cold tone of the matt grey of the tank accentuates the contrast with the colours on the fairing, giving the bike a modern character. The livery is then completed with the saddle embellished with embroidery that adds elegance to its sporty style.
Safety and full control of the motorbike are always guaranteed by the electronic equipment of the Panigale V2, based on the use of the 6-axis inertial platform. The electronic package includes ABS Cornering EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2 and finally Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, which helps the rider optimize the stability of his Ducati in extreme corner entry conditions.
The technical base of the Panigale V2, characterized by the monocoque chassis solution, is embellished by the Öhlins suspension and steering damper. The Rizoma rider footrests are adjustable, made from billet aluminium. The front and rear mudguards, the silencer end, the chain guard, the clutch cover protection, the one for the swingarm and the one for the shock absorber are all in carbon fibre. The battery is lithium-ion. The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition is offered in single-seater configuration, with sports grips. The animation of the dashboard at key-on and the contact key are unique to this model.
Safety and full control of the motorbike are always guaranteed by the electronic equipment of the Panigale V2, based on the use of the 6-axis inertial platform. The electronic package includes ABS Cornering EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2 and finally Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, which helps the rider optimize the stability of his Ducati in extreme corner entry conditions.
The technical base of the Panigale V2, characterized by the monocoque chassis solution, is embellished by the Öhlins suspension and steering damper. The Rizoma rider footrests are adjustable, made from billet aluminium. The front and rear mudguards, the silencer end, the chain guard, the clutch cover protection, the one for the swingarm and the one for the shock absorber are all in carbon fibre. The battery is lithium-ion. The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition is offered in single-seater configuration, with sports grips. The animation of the dashboard at key-on and the contact key are unique to this model.
For those wishing to use the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition on the circuit, it is possible to fit the kit for the removal of the license plate and mirrors*, and the billet aluminium racing tank cap* delivered together with the bike, which is already equipped with a GPS module for DDA data acquisition.
Like every collectible Ducati, the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition is made unique by the triple clamp, in this case machined from solid, on which the model number is shown. The motorbike will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a personalized motorcycle cover.
The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition will be available in dealerships in October 2024.
Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition
Main standard equipment
- Superquadro L-twin engine, 955 cc
- Monocoque chassis
- 17-litre aluminium tank
- Öhlins Ø 48 mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable, with TiN treatment
- Fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock with single-sided aluminium swingarm
- Steering damper
- Braking system with Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers
- Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tyres
- Latest generation electronic package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): Riding Modes, Power Modes, ABS Bosch Cornering, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Engine Brake Control (EBC) ) EVO, final gear self-learning, buttons for rapid change of levels
- Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, full LED headlight with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Öhlins steering damper, automatic indicator switch-off, lithium battery
- Single-seat configuration
Exclusive Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition equipment
- Dedicated Superquadro Tribute livery
- Billet aluminium triple clamp with progressive number
- Dedicated rider seat
- Dedicated dashboard animation at key-on
- Dedicated contact key
- Silencer end, front and rear mudguard, swingarm protection, chain guard, clutch cover, shock absorber protection in carbon fibre
- Sports grips
- Adjustable footrests machined from solid
- GPS module
- License plate holder removal kit*
- Mirror removal kit in billet aluminium*
- Tank cap machined from solid aluminium*
- Dedicated motorcycle cover
- Certificate of authenticity
*Additional equipment for vehicles used exclusively on closed circuits. Use on public roads is prohibited by law.
2025 Ducati Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition Gallery
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Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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They market it like some overpriced "limited edition" piece of JEWELRY, "an ornament worn for personal adornment with little or no practical value".
So it is not for a traditional male, a traditional motorcyclist, but rather a female or effeminate male. Is that a big market? Ducati must have a lot of extra capital.
Whatever they do, I guarantee it'll be expensive and complex, and hot, and achieve little more than neat sounds as compared to a Jap counterpart.