- New Panigale V4 R delivers 218hp in stock trim, rising to 238.5hp with race kit and Ducati Corse oil.
- MotoGP tech: Corner Sidepods aero, new Racing Gearbox with Neutral Lock, and advanced Ducati Vehicle Observer electronics.
- Lightweight chassis, Öhlins race suspension, Brembo Hypure brakes, and Pirelli Supercorsa SP V4 tyres underline its racing pedigree.
Ducati has lifted the covers on its latest weapon for the World Superbike stage – the new Panigale V4 R – and it’s the most extreme production superbike the Italian marque has ever built. At its peak, with a racing exhaust and Ducati Corse performance oil, the 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine can unleash an astonishing 238.5hp, pushing the limits of road-legal performance into MotoGP territory.
MotoGP Tech on the Street
Presented during the Ducati World Première 2026 event, the V4 R embodies decades of racing success in both MotoGP and WorldSBK. A direct descendant of the iconic 996R of 2001, the new model continues Ducati’s tradition of homologation specials built to compete at the highest level. Each V4 R is individually numbered, with the model name and production number etched into the steering plate.
Key MotoGP-derived features debut on a production bike for the first time, including Corner Sidepods – aerodynamic elements introduced in MotoGP in 2021 – and the Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG), complete with Ducati Neutral Lock, which positions neutral below first gear to prevent missed shifts under heavy braking.
Engine: 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R
At the heart of the Panigale V4 R lies the Euro 5+ homologated 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R, developed hand-in-hand with Ducati Corse engineers. It produces 218hp in standard trim (208.4hp in the US) at a screaming 15,500rpm, but more crucially delivers a stronger and more sustained torque curve than its predecessor.
Torque: 114.5Nm at 12,000rpm (+3% over previous model)
Mid-range boost: +7% torque at 6,000rpm
Top speed: 318.4 km/h stock, rising beyond 330 km/h with race exhaust
New lighter pistons (-5.1%), a revised crankshaft with higher inertia, repositioned injectors, and high-permeability Sprint air filters contribute to the improved breathing and higher combustion efficiency. With the full racing setup, power jumps to 235hp, and with Ducati Corse oil, it peaks at 238.5hp.
Aerodynamics and Ergonomics
The Panigale V4 R takes aero to the next level. Its MotoGP-style Corner Sidepods create ground effect, pulling the bike into tighter lines mid-corner and allowing higher exit speeds. Enlarged fairing wings now produce 25% more downforce, equal to 6kg of load at 300km/h, improving stability under acceleration and braking.
The tank, seat, and footpegs have been repositioned 10mm inward to give riders better control, allowing easier weight transfer and improved aerodynamic tucking on straights.
Chassis and Suspension
Based on Ducati’s seventh-generation superbike platform, the V4 R uses a redesigned Front Frame and Hollow Symmetrical Swingarm, reducing lateral stiffness by 40% for improved grip with modern WSBK-spec slick tyres.
Suspension is race-bred:
Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurised fork with 43mm stanchions
Öhlins TTX36 rear shock with wider adjustability
Öhlins SD20 steering damper, debuting on a production motorcycle
Both swingarm pivot height and rear ride height are extensively adjustable to fine-tune handling for different circuits.
Brakes, Wheels, and Tyres
Braking comes from new Brembo Hypure monobloc calipers paired with 330mm discs, ensuring consistent performance under extreme heat. Lightweight forged aluminium wheels wear Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4 tyres (120/70 front, 200/60 rear), with compatibility for full WorldSBK slicks such as SC0, SCX, and SCQ compounds.
Electronics Package
The latest Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) system brings race-derived algorithms to the V4 R’s rider aids. Updates include:
Race Brake Control – advanced combined braking strategy emulating MotoGP rider techniques
Engine Brake Control with DVO – smoother, more predictable corner entry
Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control EVO, Slide Control, Wheelie Control, and Ducati Quick Shift 2.0
All functions are displayed on the 6.9” TFT dash, with a Grip Meter view developed specifically for track riding.
Accessories and Data
Ducati Performance offers an extensive catalogue, from carbon fibre wheels (-950g vs forged alloys) and racing fairings to the Ducati DAVC Race Pro software for engine and electronics tuning. The Ducati Data Logger (DDL) provides telemetry-level data acquisition, making race setup more efficient.
Availability
The Ducati Panigale V4 R arrives in European dealerships in November 2025, but if you want to be the coolest on a track day or take up Superbike racing, then you’ll need to get your order in quick. Finished in Ducati Red and configured as a single-seater, it represents the pinnacle of road-legal superbike engineering.
2026 Ducati Panigale V4R Gallery
Panigale V4 R
Main standard features
Desmosedici Stradale R engine, 998 cc
Maximum power of 218 hp at 15,750 tpm (US VERSION: 208.4 @ 13,250 rpm) (235 hp at 15,750 rpm with racing exhaust accessory, 238.5 hp with racing exhaust and Ducati Corse oil)
Forged steel crankshaft with increased inertia
New, more efficient front dynamic air intake
Lighter (-5.1%) cast aluminium pistons with DLC coating on one segment of the skirt plus oil scraper ring
Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) with Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL)
Gun-drilled titanium connecting rods with controlled shot peening
Titanium intake valves
Oval throttle bodies with an equivalent diameter of 56 mm, sub-throttle injector and reversed-opening throttle valves
Dedicated variable-length intake trumpets shortened by 10 mm vs. MY 2024
Cylinder heads with optimized intake ducts
Sprintfilter P08 high-permeability air filter
Kerb weight without fuel: 186.5 kg
Front Frame
17-litre aluminium fuel tank
Manually adjustable Öhlins NPX 25-30 pressurized fork with 125 mm travel
Manually adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber with 316 mm wheelbase
Manually adjustable Öhlins steering damper
Forged aluminium wheels
Lithium battery
Braking system with Brembo Hypure™ monobloc calipers
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 tyres with 200/60 rear
MotoGP-derived corner sidepods
Larger biplane wings (+20 mm vs. Panigale V4 S, +25% downforce at 270 km/h)
Ducati Vehicle Observer Strategy
Latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): ABS Cornering with combined braking and Race Brake Control; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO; Ducati Slide Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO; Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Engine Brake Control (EBC)
Buttons for quick level changes
New 6.9″ full-TFT dashboard with 8:3 aspect ratio
Riding Modes (Race A, Race B, Sport, Road, Wet)
Full-LED headlights with DRLs and turn indicators integrated into the headlight*
Single-seater configuration
