Just to show us that they can still surprise us when they want to, Ducati has decided to update the Panigale V4 superbike for the 2020 model year.
The changes come to the 1,103cc model (base and S), and while they aren’t huge movements in the superbike space, they show that Ducati is keen to keep its V4 machine on top of its game.
The most noticeable difference for 2020 is that addition of winglets and gilled fairings on the base model and S model machines. This is a direct copy from the Panigale V4 R, which makes the visual differences between these bike much harder to pick up.
It should be noted too that this new fairing layout makes the Panigale V4 wider, with more air deflection around the rider. Additionally, Ducati says that the winglets are good for 66 lbs (30kg) of downforce at 168 mph (270 km/h).
What does that mean in the real world? Well, according to Ducati’s testing, that equates to over an eight-foot advantage at Jerez, from the last corner to the finish line, between the 2020 and 2019 machines.
Other changes to the 2020 Ducati Panigale V4 are more subtle. For instance, the front frame has been modified to be less rigid, which should help front-end feel.
The center of gravity on the Panigale V4 has also been made 5mm higher, for more leverage while turning. The spring stiffness has also been modified, and the traction control package uses Ducati’s new EVO2 system, which manages rear tire slips better.
Bigger, faster, strong, farther…all of this refinement comes with a price tag enhancement as well. In Europe, this means an extra €500 has been added to the price (€23,490 base model; €28,790 S model).
Accordingly, we expect a $500 increase in the US market, but Ducati North America has not confirmed that as of this writing.
Source: Ducati
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