It appears one of our predictions for the 2016 model year has been confirmed, as Ducati is set to update its “supersport” model, the Ducati 899 Panigale, with a replacement.
Outed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), we know that the new model will come with a two-cylinder engine, with a 955cc displacement, and officially be called the Ducati 959 Panigale.
This move continues Ducati’s push away from race legal sport bikes, instead choosing to showcase the fact that the company can make larger displacement machines that still rival supersport’s in weight. The 899 Panigale was exactly this, and we expect the 959 Panigale to be the same.
We also expect the 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale to officially debut at the upcoming EICMA show, as one of Ducati’s nine new models to be released. This is in addition to the three new Hypermotard models that CARB outed today, as well.
It will be interesting to see at the EICMA show if the Ducati 959 Panigale really is an all-new model, or if the displacement increase over the 899 Panigale comes about because of the strict Euro 4 emissions compliance for 2016, and the added engine chamber is there to help keep performance numbers in line with expectations. Time will tell.
Source: CARB via Motorcycle.com
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