Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 In 2019 a quarter of a century will have elapsed since the Ducati 916 arrived on the global stage, changing the Superbike world forever and immediately becoming a modern motorcycle icon. Ducati has decided to celebrate this anniversary - together with its fans - in the worthiest way possible by building a special 916-dedicated version of the Panigale V4. Ever since its debut, the Ducati 916 (MY 1994) has been a favourite with both motorcycling fans and the specialised press on account of the innovative Italian-style, dynamic, lightweight design that, back in 1994, made it a sport bike like no other. Its unique lines and personality made it the first bike to be defined as “sexy”. Above all, it became an instant classic, so much so that, even now, 25 years on, it is held up as a shining example of mechanical art. The Ducati 916 and the subsequent 996 and 998 versions were produced until 2004, with a total of over 45,000 bikes rolling off the production line. The Ducati 916 wasn't just a great bike and an enormous sales success. It also won World Superbike championships: the 916 SBK was a force to be reckoned with even as it made its debut and the following years saw it win 120 races, 8 constructors' titles and 6 riders' titles, four of them with Englishman Carl Fogarty on the Ducati 916 SBK and 996 SBK. Of the 55 races won by Ducati, 43 were clinched by Fogarty. Even now, the English racer and the 916 remain the most successful 'couple' in Ducati SBK history. Alongside the Monster, the Ducati 916 is the most important bike in Ducati history. The forerunner of the Bologna-based bike manufacturer's modern sport bikes, its DNA and style have been the hallmarks of every subsequent model, including the Panigale family. To mark this anniversary of the legendary Ducati 916, Ducati is proud to present the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario: a unique limited-edition bike (just 500 will be built) designed to let true Ducatisti re-live the spirit of the “916”. The “25° Anniversario 916” is built on the mechanics of the Panigale V4 S. This has been upgraded with racing content from the Panigale V4 R such as the Front Frame, designed to Ducati Corse specifications, the dry clutch and even more track-specific electronics, such as Ducati Quick Shift EVO 2, optimised for aggressive gear shifts, and 'predictive' Ducati Traction Control EVO 2. The look of the bike combines a colour scheme that takes its cue from the Ducati 996 SBK (winner of the 1999 World Superbike Championship) with forged magnesium Marchesini Racing wheels, a titanium type- approved Akrapovič exhaust and a long list of carbon fibre and billet aluminium components. To satisfy even the most demanding collectors, the bike comes with an authenticity certificate that matches the laser-engraved ID number (XXX/500) on the top yoke with the engine and frame serial number. Dedicated equipment for the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916: "916 25° Anniversario" colour scheme Numbered (xxx/500) machined-from-solid aluminium top yoke Front Frame with Ducati Corse specifications Two-tone rider's seat Forged magnesium Marchesini Racing wheels Dry clutch Titanium Akrapovič type-approved silencer Ducati Traction Control EVO 2 (DTC EVO 2) Ducati Quick Shift EVO 2 (DQS EVO 2) Racing screen Carbon fibre front mudguard Carbon fibre rear mudguard Carbon fibre heel guards Carbon fibre/titanium swingarm cover Racing grips Adjustable billet aluminium rider footpegs Billet aluminium folding clutch and brake levers Brake lever guard (supplied) Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+) kit with GPS module (supplied) Open carbon fibre clutch cover (supplied) Special “25° Anniversario 916” bike cover (supplied) Billet aluminium racing-type filler cap (supplied) Plate holder removal cover (supplied) Billet aluminium rear view mirror plugs (supplied) “Shell” and “Foggy” logo stickers (supplied) Livery The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 livery takes its inspiration from the Ducati 996 SBK with which Carl Fogarty won the 1999 World Superbike championship. The Ducati Red-based colour scheme is complemented by a World Champion "1" on the front and lateral number holders. The lower half of the tank features a black stripe that extends to the frame and the side fairing vents; the overall result is a more dynamic side-on look that is also reminiscent of the 996 SBK carbon fibre air-box. The colour black also extends to the lower fairings and headlight mounts, giving the two frontal air intakes a wider, beefier look. The rider's seat sports the same bi-colour look as the rest of the bike, with a clear separation between the black and the red that extends to the rear pad. Also supplied are stickers with the “Shell” and “Foggy” logos, to be applied on the side fairings and the base of the screen should the owner wish to reinforce the visual ties with Carl Fogarty's 996 SBK. Forged magnesium Marchesini Racing wheels, a titanium Akrapovič silencer and a long list of carbon fibre and billet aluminium components complete the racing look. Engine The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is powered by the 1103 cm³ Desmosedici Stradale. A MotoGP- derived 90° V4 with Desmodromic timing, this one-of-a-kind engine features a counter-rotating crankshaft and a Twin Pulse firing order. The engine can deliver 214 hp at 13,000 rpm and a torque of 12.6 Kgm at 10,000 rpm, making for extremely satisfying road riding. The adoption of a dry clutch and type-approved titanium Akrapovič silencers transforms the Desmosedici Stradale that powers the “25° Anniversario 916” into a true object of Ducatisti desire. The 90° V4 on the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 mounts an STM EVO-SBK billet aluminium dry clutch. Compared to a wet clutch it ensures, during extreme track riding, more efficient anti-patter performance, even during aggressive downshifting, and greater fluidity during 'off-throttle' phases. It's also possible to personalise the degree of 'mechanical' engine braking by selecting a different secondary spring from among those in the Ducati Performance catalogue. An open carbon fibre clutch cover, mounted as standard, is a throwback to the days of the Ducati 916, resulting in that classic metallic sound loved by all Ducatisti. The exhaust signature of the Desmosedici Stradale is enhanced by the type-approved titanium Akrapovič silencer. A full 0.5 kg lighter than the one on the Panigale V4 S, its carbon fibre end caps and honeycomb pipe grids give the bike a MotoGP-like racing touch. Chassis From a chassis viewpoint, the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 has it all. The front frame, which exploits the Desmosedici Stradale engine as a structural chassis element, is the same as the one on the Panigale V4 R but differs slightly on account of the lighter, machined sides; these ensure attainment of the stiffness goals set by Ducati Corse and reduce weight even further. The frame is coupled to an Öhlins NIX-30 fork, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock and a steering damper - again Öhlins - all managed by the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 control system. This gives the rider access to next-level dynamic bike control, augmenting on-road safety and shortening on-track lap times. Ultralight forged magnesium Marchesini Racing wheels – which, compared to the Panigale V4 S, reduce unsprung weight by 1 kg - make the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 even quicker and more agile through the corners. The top-drawer braking system consists of two 330 mm Brembo discs with Brembo Stylema® monobloc calipers up front and a single 245 mm disc with a 2-piston caliper at the rear. Electronics The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 has a latest-generation electronics package. Based on a 6-axis Bosch inertial platform (6D IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit), it features controls designed to manage every aspect of riding. The electronic package includes: Bosch Cornering ABS EVO Ducati Traction Control EVO 2 (DTC EVO 2) Ducati Slide Control (DSC) Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO) Ducati Power Launch (DPL) Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO 2 (DQS EVO 2) Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC EVO) Ducati Electronic Suspension EVO (DES EVO) The new Ducati Traction Control EVO 2 (DTC EVO 2) strategy is an offshoot of the Ducati Desmosedici GP18 and is already employed on the Panigale V4 R and V4 R SBK. In addition to interfacing with the 6- axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and adapting intervention on the basis of wheelspin and lean angle, the software significantly improves out-of-the-corner power control thanks to a new “predictive” control strategy. Acting not just on the basis of instantaneous rear wheelspin but also its variation, it intercepts any loss of grip sooner and reduces peak wheelspin, ensuring faster, smoother intervention. All this means augmented out-of-the-corner stability, even in sub-optimal grip conditions, higher acceleration, better lap times and improved long run performance. In addition to controlling spark advance and injection, the DTC EVO 2 system uses, in all situations not requiring fast intervention, the throttle body valves to maintain optimal combustion parameters and ensure more fluid engine response and control. DTC EVO 2 can be set to 8 different levels (6 for dry conditions, 2 for wet), letting riders adapt control strategy to their individual riding styles and current grip conditions to maximise performance. DQS EVO 2 - another Panigale V4 R offshoot - reduces upshift times, allowing the sportier high-rev gear shifts (over 10,000 rpm) typical of track riding and boosting shift stability during aggressive acceleration and cornering.