Ducati's 1199 Panigale R will be the brand's flagship model for 2013.

The 2013 Ducati Superbike family line-up is now completed with the highly-anticipated arrival of the 1199 Panigale R, the absolute flagship of the range and the machine specially developed with enhanced technical specification by Ducati Corse for World Superbike homologation.

The R model stands alongside the 1199 Panigale and 1199 Panigale S in the new-for-2013 arctic white colour scheme and signature Ducati red, in addition to the exclusive 1199 Panigale S Tricolore.

All 2013 1199 models are updated with latest generation engine management mapping and Ride-by-Wire calibration, further enhancing the Ducati Superbike riding experience.

The R version of Ducati’s Superbikes has always been the dream model, the machine taken by Ducati Corse and enhanced with high performance preparation for homologation into the highly competitive environment of World Superbike.

The 1199 Panigale R model introduces the very latest version of engine and R-b-W mapping to all the 1199 models, improving performance and refining the overall Superbike riding experience.

The R takes everything that the S model is currently equipped with and applies a list of enhancements to the technical specification that enable the model to achieve even greater targets.

Titanium con-rods, which save an overall 0.63kg, a 0.7kg lighter crankshaft flywheel, DLC-coated rocker-arms and revised engine mapping now enhance the Superquadro engine’s crank acceleration and allow it to rev 500rpm higher to a 12,000rpm limit, an incredible engineering achievement for 112mm pistons.

The famous R race kit components consist of high-penetration racing screen, fairing mirror caps in machined alloy and a full Termignoni exhaust system with dedicated ECU mapping (for track use only).

The system provides an impressive power increase of three percent at the top of the rev-range and 15% in the mid-range, further amplified by the R’s acceleration-enhancing 15-41 final drive ratio.

The race-oriented R model also features a four-point adjustable swingarm pivot, designed to enable riders a personalised and precise set-up of varying levels of pro or anti-squat to optimise traction on corner exit.

The settings are dialled-in using two user-friendly eccentric adjusters that offer pivot positions at +2mm higher, 2mm lower and -4mm lower than the standard position, each positively and accurately locked and located. The clearly marked, easy-to-use system provides optimum adjustability for competition use.

Additional enhancements to the machine include lightweight carbon fibre rear hugger, rear suspension guard, heels guards, ignition switch surround and top fairing inner panels and carbon fibre protectors for the single-sided swingarm and clutch cover.

These lightweight chassis and engine components enable the R version a dry weight of just 165kg, even with an ABS braking system fitted as standard equipment. This top-of-the-range model is also fitted with a special race-style seat fabric for added feel and equipped with the GPS-enhanced Ducati Data Acquisition system, for automatic lap times and circuit map-linked data.

The 1199 Panigale R is dressed in Ducati red with defining white race features, sporting a mix of red and brushed aluminium on the fuel tank with lightweight forged wheels by Marchesini in black.