The Ducati Superleggera V4 is a limited run $300k carbon fibre fest

Singapore - Ducati here, launched their limited run “hyperbike”, the Superleggera V4. But before we carry on, would $300k be too much to ask for one of these? And anyhoo… there are only 500 produced, and both units allocated for Singapore have already been snapped up.

The weight shavings on the Superleggera are taken to a new extreme, with titanium, aluminium and carbon fibre everything… everywhere you look. Where do we begin here? There is a carbon fibre front frame, single-sided swingarm and wheels with aluminium hubs. This is then wrapped in an absolutely gorgeous carbon fibre fairing with Desmosedici GP19-inspired livery, and GP16-derived ‘biplane’ wings which deliver 50kg of downforce at 270km/h. As expected, titanium bolts hold many things together, and you also get an approved Akrapovic titanium silencer for a rich soundtrack. The Ohlins supplied suspension is a race-grade unit which is also lighter by 0.6kg, when compared to the one on the Panigale.

At its heart, there is that lighter, more powerful Desmosedici Stradale R V4 engine, which punches out 224hp at a screaming 15,250rpm and 116Nm at 11,750rpm. Add yourself a full racing exhaust, and this goes up to 234hp at a dizzy 15,500rpm, while torque is increased 3Nm. The engine’s Desmodromic system timing is adjusted manually by an expert, to squeeze the best out of the V4, and this is finished with a plate bearing the person’s name on a metallic plate found on the rear engine bank. In all, the engine is 2.8kg lighter than the 1103cc V4 found in the Panigale. 

The use of lightweight materials pays off, with the Superleggera boasting a dry weight of just 159kg, a whole 16kg less than the Panigale. 

The Superleggera also boasts heaps of tech goodies. So, here goes… Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2 not only intercepts loss of grip, but it also improves on out-of-corner power, thanks to a new ‘predictive’ strategy. There is also a 2-stage Slide Control (DSC), Wheelie Control (DWC) and Power Launch (DPL). The list of tech goes on, and you even get a friggin pit limiter, and GPS for track use!

So we do hear that one will be a piece of living room art, while the other is registered… hopefully we will be able to see it grace our streets and hear its soundtrack in our tunnels.

PHOTOS Clifford Chow