Ducati 2015 World Première - Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, presents the new motorcycles for 2015 in Milan: two completely new bikes, the 1299 Panigale and new Multistrada 1200, ready to compete for the “best bike” title at EICMA 2014
- The Ducati 2015 World Première also shone the spotlight on the four versions of the Scrambler, the stars of an outside event at the WP Store showroom in Milan where the new Scrambler apparel and accessory collection were presented
- There was also a preview of the Diavel Titanium, a new version of the Ducati sport cruiser featuring exclusive materials and components, produced in a limited, numbered edition of just 500 bikes
Milan, 3 November 2014 – A live streaming feed provided the perfect platform for the
Ducati 2015 World Première event, a presentation of the latest bikes in the
2015 range held in Milan on the eve of EICMA 2014. New products, innovative technology and ambitious plans for the future have made Ducati more upbeat and confident than ever. The new range features true ‘dream bikes’, the offspring of Ducati’s renowned engineering brilliance and creativity, ready to thrill the fans who’ll be flocking to the 72nd edition of the EICMA World Motorcycle Fair at the
International Milan Trade Fair in Rho, open to the public from
6 to 9 November.
The press conference provided
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, with a perfect opportunity to take stock of both the market and Ducati, and unveil the soon-to-be-released bike range. Despite the difficulties of the complicated, challenging international scenario, 2014 saw Ducati - a part of the Audi Group since 2012 - continue the positive growth trend of the last few years.
The new 2015 bikes clearly demonstrate the application of excellence across the entire Ducati range, an excellence characterised by unique, inimitable Italian style and design that is sure to win acclaim on emerging markets too.
“
For Ducati, 2015 is a milestone”, stated Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding during the presentation press conference, “
as Ducati enthusiasts will be able to choose from a range more technologically advanced and innovatively designed than ever. A sports bike, the 1299 Panigale, that promises to set a whole new on-track standard thanks to raw power and sophisticated electronics, and a new all-round Multistrada 1200 that combines sports handling and performance with smoothness and low fuel consumption at a whole new level. With ‘The Land of Joy’, the Scrambler brand will be providing dealerships with a breath of fresh air and high spirits, offering a bike with a never-before-seen mix of motorcycling modernity and heritage”.
Following the launch of the
Ducati Scrambler last month at Intermot, this new Ducati brand and its four innovative, high-appeal versions provided the perfect curtain-raiser at the Elfo Puccini Theatre in Milan, the venue for the Ducati 2015 World Première of the new 2015 models. Afterwards it was the turn of
two completely new bikes soon to be presented at EICMA 2014, the
1299 Panigale and new
Multistrada 1200, plus three other new versions (
Panigale R,
Diavel Titanium and
Monster Stripes) and an array of new accessory and apparel products.
The 2015 Ducati Superbike family presents a major new player in the category: the
1299 Panigale. The latest arrival at the Bologna-based firm, with its
1285 cm3 Superquadro engine, raises the standards once again in terms of performance for supersports bikes on the international market. Thanks to an incredible torque of
144.6 Nm at 8,750 rpm, a dry weight of
166.5 kg, a maximum power of
205 hp at 10,500 rpm and a record-breaking power-to-weight ratio that puts its ahead of all competing road bikes, the
1299 Panigale is now the new benchmark for ultra-high performance bikes.
The new electronic package, specifically designed for the
1299 Panigale and incorporated in the three different
Riding Modes, boosts performance even higher. Thanks to the presence of the
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), riders can count on
Cornering ABS, along with
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and, on the S version, the
Öhlins Smart EC, an event-based suspension control system. Moreover, the 1299 Panigale features, for the first time on a road-legal Ducati Superbike, the
Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), now usable for down-changing too: this sharpens track performance even further while making the bike easier to use on a daily basis. On the 1299 Panigale,
Ducati Traction Control (DTC),
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and
Engine Brake Control (EBC) are all optimised thanks to an automatic tyre size and final drive ratio calibration system.
It’s also a World Première for the
new generation of Multistrada 1200 bikes, featuring the latest
Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine. In what is
a first for the motorcycle industry, the
DVT engine features a variable valve timing system with independent control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. This optimises engine performance throughout the power range in all riding conditions, ensuring
maximum power at high revs, smooth power delivery, punchy low-rpm torque and low fuel consumption in full compliance with the latest
Euro 4 regulations.
Completely new, the Multistrada 1200 is technologically cutting-edge thanks also to the
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) which dynamically measures roll, yaw and pitch angles as well as their rates of change, thus ensuring
performance and safety standards that are unprecedented on a motorcycle. The presence of the IMU leads to substantial improvements in the operation of the ABS system, making it a ‘Cornering’ system capable of controlling braking even on bends where wheel lock could otherwise cause skidding with the bike leaned-over. The IMU platform also enables control of the
Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL)housed in the Multistrada 1200’s
full LED headlamp, a system in which an additional LED illuminates the inside of the bend to enhance night-time visibility. Moreover, the IMU allows the introduction of
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC): this detects and corrects any front wheel lift to ensure maximum acceleration and grip in complete safety.
All models now feature
Electronic Cruise Control, which the rider can set as desired using controls incorporated in the switchgear on the left handlebar. On the S version a
Bluetooth module is included as standard: via the
Ducati Multimedia System, this allows the bike to be
connected to a smartphone for easy multimedia control of key functions (e.g. receiving incoming calls, notification of text messages, or playing music) via the handlebar controls and colour TFT dashboard. Thanks to an iOS/Android app, the Bluetooth connection lets riders use bike data to activate other functions which enhance, extend or let them share their everyday riding or touring experiences via interaction with the ducati.com website and social networks.
For 2015, Ducati also wanted to take the exclusiveness concept that forms the backbone of the Diavel project and raise it to a whole new level.
Titanium, carbon, craftsmanship, finishing touches of outstanding quality, a near-manic
attention to detail, dedicated design, a limited edition of just
500 bikes: these are the core features of the latest addition to the Diavel family, the
Diavel Titanium.
The Ducati 2015 World Première also saw an appearance by the two official MotoGP 2015 flag bearers,
Andrea Dovizioso and
Andrea Iannone, just ahead of their last race of the MotoGP 2014 season in Valencia on Sunday 9 November. After achieving pole position in Japan, taking numerous podium places and significantly cutting end-of-race gaps, the 2014 season can be seen as a highly positive one that augers well for 2015. In the coming year the team, headed by Luigi Dall’Igna, will be competing in MotoGP - a championship that remains central to Ducati’s strategy - with an all-new bike that is the result of this season’s incessant work and investment.
In addition to the new bikes presented by Ducati, 2015 also promises a host of new
accessories, special parts and a new
apparel collection, which includes both high-grade technical clothing items and the eye-catching apparel and accessory collection dedicated to the
Scrambler world; the latter was presented at the
W.P. Store showroom in Milan with a special event that saw press, public and enthusiasts flock to the highly original, fun-packed Scrambler Ducati “Land of Joy”.
Ducati will be at EICMA 2014 in Hall 18, Stand G – 74 .::.