2018 Ducati V4 Panigale S

The key facts of the road-going engine are that it’s 1103cc, makes ‘over’ 210hp at 13,000rpm and makes more than 120Nm of torque all the way from 8750rpm to 12,250rpm. It’s got a reverse-rotating crankshaft and Ducati’s ‘twin-pulse’ firing order. That means the same distinctive sound as the Desmosedici race bikes.

It’s a 90 degree V4 with its crank pins offset at 70 degrees. The front-left cylinder fires at 0°, followed by the rear-left one 9o° later. Then there’s a 200° gap before the right-hand front and rear cylinders fire, again just 90° apart. Hence the two distinct power pulses.

The camshafts are driven by a combination of chains and gears – no belts here – and there are variable-height intakes on the four 52mm oval throttle bodies. The engine’s bore is at the 81mm MotoGP limit, with a stroke of 53.5mm, while the compression ratio is a high 14:1.  Despite its high state of tune, Ducati says the valve service intervals are an amazing 24,000km (15,000 miles). Normal services will be at 12,000km/7500 miles.

The power goes through a 6-speed quick-shift transmission.

For those wanting more in-depth technical detail, here’s Ducati’s full press release:

Desmosedici Stradale: the new Ducati V4 engine

Out of the experience gained in MotoGP comes the new 90° V4 engine, designed to power future top-of-the-range Ducati sport models. Called the Desmosedici Stradale, this new power unit is a milestone for the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer. Once again, Ducati has looked to the future by developing a fresh, distinctive project, opening up an entirely new chapter.

The starting point for the Desmosedici Stradale design was the heart of the V4 MotoGP engine – its cylinder heads. With the same dimensions and geometry as the Desmosedici GP, the Desmosedici Stradale offers the same outstanding fluid dynamics. It also has the same engine configuration: 90° V4, rotated rearward by 42°. This solution makes the new Ducati engine extremely compact, allowing centralisation of mass and perfect integration with the vehicle.

As on Ducati competition bikes, the crankshaft is the counter-rotating type. This reduces the gyroscopic effect exerted by the wheels and makes the bike faster and more agile when changing direction. It also reduces the wheelie effect