Source: Supplied.

Ducati opened this year’s EICMA show in Milan, Italy, by presenting multiple new models on Sunday evening during it’s 2018 World Premiere event headlined by the Panigale V4 superbike.

Hosted by Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali, world championship riders Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo, Danilo Petrucci, Chaz Davies, plus test riders Casey Stoner and Michele Pirro were part of the presentation.

The first 2018 bike to be revealed was the Ducati Scrambler 1100. It also comes in a Special version, which draws its inspiration from the custom world and a Sport version. Also on stage was the Scrambler Mach2, the Desert Sled with a never-before-seen black livery and the new Street Classic.

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The evening continued with the 959 Panigale Corse, which maintains the tradition of Ducati twin-cylinder sportsbikes. Characterised by new, exclusive components and an eye-catching livery, this bike was ridden onto the stage by Davies, who arrived in Milan directly from Qatar’s final round of the Superbike World Championship.

The 959 Panigale Corse is the superlative sports version of the legendary Italian twin-cylinder. It boasts Öhlins 43mm NIX30 forks, Öhlins TTX36 shock, type-approved Ducati Performance silencers in titanium by Akrapovic, a lithium-ion battery and a dedicated colour scheme inspired by the colours of Ducati’s MotoGP racers.

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Another new 2018 bike presented during the Ducati World Premiere was the Multistrada 1260. Mounting the new Ducati 1262cc Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine, it also features a new chassis set-up, more modern electronics and a re-style that includes side ‘wings’ and sportier-looking wheels.

The latest Ducati MTS comes in several versions: the S version offers semi-active suspension and S D-Air, which maximises safety thanks to integration with an airbag-equipped jacket, while the Pikes Peak, the sportiest Multistrada version, features Öhlins mechanical suspension and forged aluminium wheels.

During the evening Domenicali also showcased the Multistrada 1200 Enduro Pro, set to play a pivotal role in DRE (Ducati Riding Experience) Enduro 2018 courses, the XDiavel, introduced by award-winning chef Massimo Bottura in a special video message, and the Monster 821.

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The undisputed star of Ducati World Premiere 2018 was the S version of the new Panigale V4, the factory bike that comes closer to being a MotoGP prototype than anything ever seen. Ridden onto the stage by Pirro, this is the first mass-produced Ducati bike to mount a four-cylinder engine derived directly from the Desmosedici GP.

The new Ducati supersport family is a concentrate of technology, style and performance. Constituting a new chapter in the company’s history, it also includes the exclusive, limited edition, individually-numbered Panigale V4 Speciale.

The Panigale V4 Speciale – with dedicated livery, titanium exhaust and billet aluminium components – was ridden onto the stage by non other than top-class tester and Ducati ambassador Stoner, the perfect grand finale to close out the event.

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With an engine displacement of 1103cc, 214hp and a power/weight ratio of 1.1 hp/kg, the Panigale V4 replaces the 1299 at the top of the Ducati supersport range. The Panigale V4 has been developed in close collaboration with Ducati Corse, drawing directly on know-how and technology from the racing world to provide a road bike that is the closest thing possible to its MotoGP counterpart.

The outstanding performance of the Panigale V4 is underlined by a completely new design which, while it follows on from that of the supersport bikes that preceded it. Ducati’s new range consists of the Panigale V4 and the Panigale V4 S.

The latter mounts Öhlins suspension featuring the Smart EC 2.0 system with a new adjustment interface and top-drawer components such as forged aluminium wheels and the lithium-ion battery. Completing the range is the exclusive Panigale V4 Speciale, a numbered, limited edition bike with a dedicated livery, titanium exhaust and machined from solid components.

According to Ducati Australia, the models will begin to arrive during late February/early March (MTS 1260), March (Panigale V4 and V4 S), late April/early May (Panigale V4 Speciale and 959 Corse) and May (Scamblers). Pricing is yet to be announced, while confirmation has come that availability of the Panigale V4 Speciale and 959 Corse will be limited.