Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario breaks cover

Ducati has revealed the Superleggera V4 Centenario, an ultra-exclusive superbike built to celebrate the brand's 100th anniversary. The motorcycle sits at the very top of Ducati's road-legal lineup and focuses heavily on extreme weight reduction, advanced materials and race-derived engineering.

- Production limited to 500 individually numbered units
- Claimed wet weight of 173 kg without fuel
- power-to-weight ratio of 1.48 PS per kg
- Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 V4 engine pushing 228 PS

Production will be limited to 500 individually numbered units, with an additional 100 Tricolore editions planned.

Lightweight
A key highlight of the Centenario is its extensive use of carbon fibre. The frame, swingarm, subframes, wheels and bodywork are all made from the lightweight composite. Because of this, the bike has a claimed wet weight of 173 kg without fuel, which drops further to 167 kg when fitted with the supplied racing kit.

Ducati says the carbon frame is 17 percent lighter than the aluminium unit on the Panigale V4, while the carbon swingarm cuts 21 percent of the weight compared with its metal equivalent. Even the rear monocoque structure alone saves around 1.4 kg.

Powertrain
Powering the bike is a new Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 V4 engine. It produces 228 PS in standard road configuration and up to 247 PS when equipped with the Akrapovi? racing exhaust supplied in the track kit. The engine also delivers 117.6 Nm of torque, rising to 126.3 Nm in track form. Ducati claims the unit is 3.6 kg lighter than the Panigale V4 engine thanks to widespread use of lightweight components such as titanium valves, titanium connecting rods and titanium fasteners. With the race setup installed, Ducati quotes a power-to-weight ratio of 1.48 PS per kg, making it one of the most extreme road-legal motorcycles ever produced by the company.

Components
The Centenario also introduces several technologies rarely seen on road bikes. Ducati says it is the first homologated motorcycle to use carbon-ceramic brake discs and the first with carbon-fibre fork sleeves. The Brembo carbon-ceramic discs save about 450 grams per disc compared with steel units and reduce rotational inertia by around 40 percent, which helps improve agility and braking response. These discs work with Brembo GP4-HY billet monobloc calipers, which include cooling fins and an anti-drag system designed to reduce residual braking force once the lever is released. At the front, the bike uses a pressurised Öhlins NPX 25/30 Carbon fork, while the rear suspension is handled by an Öhlins TTX36 GP LW shock with MotoGP-inspired valving. The bodywork is entirely carbon fibre and incorporates Ducati's aerodynamic winglets and sidepods, which are designed to increase grip and stability when the bike is leaned over in corners.

Rider aids
Electronics are based on the Panigale V4 platform and include advanced systems for traction control, wheelie control, slide control, launch control and cornering ABS. Ducati has also added a dynamic engine-brake function that automatically adjusts rear braking during deceleration. Each Superleggera V4 Centenario will be delivered with a track kit that includes the Akrapovi? race exhaust, racing bodywork, open carbon clutch cover, brake lever guard, race fuel cap and components needed to remove road equipment for circuit use.

Owners will also receive accessories such as paddock stands, a motorcycle cover and a certificate of authenticity. With its lightweight carbon structure, cutting-edge braking system and a 247 PS track specification, the Superleggera V4 Centenario stands as one of the most technically advanced motorcycles ever developed by Ducati.