A couple weeks ago we showed you the Ducati Car concept by Anthony Colard, which was of course a four-wheeled vehicle, and not a motorcycle. But for the past 6 months we’ve been quietly following the work of French transportation designer, and his Ducati Superbike project. Based off the Ducati 1098/1198 chassis, Colard has taken his own perception of the Italian motorcycle’s style, and improved upon some of its deficiencies. Now finished with the design phase of his project, we can finally share with you some of what this talented designer has been focusing on all this time.
Colard used to work at the Ducati Design Center, and had the opportunity to ruminate with Gianni Fabbro, the senior designer of the 1098, about some of the unresolved problems with the 1098′s design. Wanting a bike with his own touch, Colard set out to build off Fabbro’s work, and resolve these design problems. As things often do, one thing lead to another, and before he knew it Colard had inked his own unique 1098, and has now set about to bring the bike into limited production.
The design of the C12-R has taken several iterations, and actually started life out as the C11-R. The Colard C11-R’s most noticeable difference to its successor is the GP-style exhaust the exits both in the lower fairing, and under the tail section. Colard has replaced this setup in the C12-R with a more traditional Ducati-esque underseat arrangement with dual-cans.
Accenting both designs are more complex and vented body panels. Underneath it all you can see inspiration from the 1098, but Colard’s thoughts seem to be more complex, than the simple Ducati lines. The affect on us is that this looks like an almost more mature style than the original, and thankfully doesn’t take the classic Ducati lines too far, and into the realm of clutter.
Hopping soon to render a clay model of the C12-R, Collard’s final aim is to create a limited run of his creations. While he doesn’t want to quote exact performance specs yet, a 200hp motor isn’t out of the equation. The French designer is sure of one thing, it will be faster and lighter than the current 1198.
The project’s target price is €25,000 for a completed bike, which isn’t that much more expensive than a base Ducati 1198 (in Europe at least), but Colard wants to have a €4,000 kit (fairings and exhaust only) available for current 1098/1198 owners to purchase and transform their machine.
With the design of the bike finalized, Colard is now looking for financial backing to create the necessary clay models and to partner with an exhaust maker, to properly make the go fast parts…go fast. Colard is already in-touch with component manufacturers to supply the suspension, brakes, wheels, etc.
So what do you guys think, could you see one of Colard’s C12-R’s in your garage?
Design is subjective, so I wouldn’t say, so matter-of-fact, that the 1098 has design “deficiencies”. Especially since it’s been so widely accepted and admired.
While I’d say I like this design, I think its more complex and undulating shape doesn’t lend itself to Ducati’s image. Words like “simple” and “elegant” are generally associated with Ducati lines.
Nice machine, but I can see why Ducati didn’t put it into production.
I agree with Sean, this a gorgeous design, I might say too well thought out to be a Ducati. Honda, in my opinion has the best design team in the industry right now. That sexy side panel to me, is very Honda. My issue with Ducati design is the conflict of interest. Especially in a bike like the street fighter. Every piece is designed really intricately, but that just makes for a cobbled together total design that only looks good at a close angle. But what I disagree with Sean on is that it could never be a Ducati. Design languages change, and in this instance I think it would be a change for the better. Good work Anthony.
Thank you RLiddell for the vote of confidence. As you said the design cues and language are different from Ducati’s which is well known for its simplicity and elegant style.
@ Sean : You say that the complex and undulating design doesn’t lend to Ducati, and that was exactly my goal. I don’t want to do another Ducati, i want to use a very good technical base, and make my own bike, with its own language and style, different from the original. Doing a bike looking similar to a Ducati, based on a Ducati, wouldn’t sell I think. Doing different creates interest and curiosity in people’s minds.
About “Ducati didn’t put it into prodution”, I want to specify that this is a personal project that I plan to bring to small production, and Ducati has nothing to do with it and I never planned to present it to them as a Ducati either. About the design “deficiencies”, they are small design things that could have been done better with a little more time, as for example, the bike could be thinner at the bottom as exhaust leaves space to do it, but molds were already made. Things like that happen on every project everywhere.
Understood Anthony. When it mentioned you had worked at Ducati, I guess I read too much into that. I agree with RLiddell that the side panel reminds me of Honda, while the tail reminds me of some Bimota lines. The front cowl is very unique, can’t say that reminds me of anything, but a very futuristic 1098.
just got some more drawings from Anthony Colard on his Colard C12-R design. they've been added to the post. – http://aspha.lt/12w
Thank you for the support, and yes there are some inspirations here and there. Bikes are so small, many shapes rapidly remind of other makes to people who know well the history of motorcycles :)
The bike should reach the final modelling stage for Christmas, and production is scheduled for early 2011.
Sexy, sexy things. http://bit.ly/dCYNa3 #motorcycles #design #illustration