The 2015 Ducati Superbike family presents a new major 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 incredible torque with a value of 144.6 Nm at 8750 rpm, a dry weight of 166.5kg and maximum power of 205hp at 10,500 rpm. With an extremely high power to weight ratio, the 1299 Panigale has become a new benchmark standard for very high performance bikes.

The latest generation of Ducati Superbikes builds upon engineering and design solutions introduced on the 1199, rendering the concept of the superbike for the road still more extreme.

The new 1299 Panigale has more torque, it’s more powerful and responsive than the 1199, the bike it replaces, while at the same time it’s easier and safer to ride thanks to the use of innovative solutions devised by Ducati Corse, to allow everyday fans to experience the technology of world champions.

The 1299 Panigale has the Superquadro, the most advanced and powerful twin-cylinder engine produced on the planet, which is made even more extreme by pistons with a diameter of 116mm, a value that’s used for the very first time on a supersports road bike.

The motorcycle has evolved in terms of chassis set-up too: the innovative monocoque chassis now has a steering head angle of 24-degree to guarantee increased agility when cornering, while the fork pivot is 4 mm lower allowing for increased rear traction in a variety of situations.

The new electronic kit, studied specifically for the 1299 Panigale and integrated in the three different Riding Modes, makes it even more high-performance.

Thanks in fact to the presence of the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Cornering ABS is made available, along with Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and, on the S version, the Öhlins Smart EC, an event-based control system for the suspension.

Moreover, the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) now works also during down-changing, to further improve track performance and to make the bike more easy to use on a daily basis.

On the 1299 Panigale, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and the Engine Brake Control (EBC) have been optimised by an automatic calibration system which allows for easy changes in tyre size and final drive ratio.

Every single detail of the Panigale is a tribute to the legendary sports tradition where Ducati’s roots lie. Just as the famous 916-996-998 series, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and is still a unique and instantly recognisable example of Italian style, so too the 1299 Panigale with its incredibly contemporary and practical design follows in the footsteps of the 1199 Panigale.

As well as improving the aerodynamic penetration, the wider nose fairing and more protective windshield make the fairing of the new 1299 Panigale still more aggressive, thanks also to the wider front air intakes.

The new tail fairing, divided into two sections, completes the form of the 1299 Panigale, which also has new lateral ducts and mirrors. Moreover, the 1299 Panigale is fitted out with a new and more comfortable saddle and with machined aluminium footrests, to provide maximum on-road grip.

The 1299 Panigale is estimated to arrive in Australia late March, early April.