2022 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 unveiled

As if the 2022 Panigale V4 S wasn't enough of a completely bonkers track-weapon... well, trust in Ducati to take bonkers up a notch. This is the Panigale V4 SP2, the new top-of-the-range model in Ducati's super sports bikes line-up. It's been deemed the 'ultimate racetrack machine', and though the term has been worn out over the course of time, this track-only bike which promises to be even more intuitive, exhilarating for the pros and less strenuous for non-professional riders looks to be the real deal.

The Panigale V4 SP2 is comes draped in a special 'Winter Test' livery, in which includes matt black of and matt carbon finished bits like the fairings, the rims and wings. Those bright red contrasting accents look a sight and the exposed brushed aluminium tank looks brilliant too. The double profile-design wings up front also brandish the Italian flag, just like Ducati's Panigale V4 R in SBK.

The heart of the Panigale V4 SP2 is the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale from MotoGP: a V4 with counter-rotating crankshaft equipped with a lot of torque from low revs. The motor is the same unit which the standard Panigale V4 gets, but has improved with the introduction of technical elements, which have increased power and improve throttle response by 1PS. The Euro 5 engine delivers a max 218.4PS at 13,000 rpm and 122Nm at 11,000rpm. The 'track-oriented' gearbox is almost the same as that of the 2022 Panigale V4 S, just that the SP2 adds the lightened final drive with 520 chain and the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch.

Stopping power on this beast come in the form of high spec Brembo Stylema R radially-mounted four-piston calipers on 320mm semi-floating twin discs at the front, and a dual-piston caliper mounted on a 245mm disc at the rear. There's also an MCS self-bleeding radial master cylinder for braking setup customisation. The aluminium frame is balanced by Ohlins Smart EC2.0 electronic suspension on both ends - 43mm Ohlins NPX25/30 fully-adjustable forks with compression and rebound adjustability at the front, and an Ohlins TTX36 monoshock with compression and rebound adjustability at the rear. The bike runs with 17-inch five-split spoke carbonfibre wheels wearing Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP running shoes. They're said to be 1.4 kg lighter than the aluminium forged ones of the Panigale V4 S. The V4 SP2 bike weighs in at 194.5kg, while the seat height measures 850mm.

In terms of features, the SP2 gets the whole shebang with launch control, bi-directional quick shifter, ride modes, power modes, cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, slide control, engine brake control, and auto tyre calibration. If that wasn't enough music to your ears, the bike can also accommodate the Ducati Multimedia system.

Wondering when it this manic machine will arrive in India? Well, not anytime soon, seeing as Ducati are yet to bring the 2022 Panigale V4 and V4S to India. One step at a time, guys, one step at a time.