Ducati launches Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 in India

• The bike will have a limited run of just 500 units worldwide.
• It adorns a unique livery and comes with lightweight racing components.
• It will arrive at Indian dealerships in October 2019.
• Bike number five will be auctioned for fundraising in the memory of Carlin Dunne.

Ducati’s limited-edition Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 has been launched in India at a price tag of Rs 54.90 lakh (ex-showroom). It pays homage to the most successful World Superbike (WSBK) racer Carl Forgarty and his Ducati 916 by sporting his famous racing number alongside a unique livery. Ducati will produce just 500 units of this exclusive bike.

The Panigale V4 Anniversario 916 has been designed with Ducati Corse specifications in mind. In essence, the bike uses a stiffer front frame borrowed from the V4R, forged magnesium Marchesini racing wheels and a titanium type Akrapovic exhaust. This paired with a list of carbon fibre and billet aluminium components translate to a weight loss of 4kg compared to the standard Panigale V4. Other track-focused features include a dry clutch, an EVO 2 quick-shifter and traction control system.

The bike takes inspiration from the renowned Ducati 916 that was launched back in 1994. Designed by Massimo Tamburini, the 916 is considered to be the perfect balance between form and function and one of the most iconic motorcycles ever made. It was a sales success as well and Ducati sold around 45,000 units of the 916 and the following 996 and 998 models until 2004. It even won a number of World Superbike championships which included 120 race wins, 8 constructors titles and 6 riders titles, four of which were taken home by Carl Fogarty astride the Ducati 916 SBK and 996 SBK.

Dedicated equipment for the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916:

"916 25° Anniversario" colour scheme
Numbered (xxx/500) machined-from-solid aluminium top yoke
Front Frame with Ducati Corse specifications
Two-tone rider's seat
Forged magnesium Marchesini Racing wheels
Dry clutch
Titanium Akrapovic type-approved silencer
Ducati Traction Control EVO 2 (DTC EVO 2)
Ducati Quick Shift EVO 2 (DQS EVO 2)
Racing screen
Carbon fibre front mudguard
Carbon fibre rear mudguard
Carbon fibre heel guards
Carbon fibre/titanium swingarm cover
Racing grips
Adjustable billet aluminium rider footpegs
Billet aluminium folding clutch and brake levers
Brake lever guard (supplied)
Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+) kit with GPS module (supplied)
Open carbon fibre clutch cover (supplied)
Special “25° Anniversario 916” bike cover (supplied)
Billet aluminium racing-type filler cap (supplied)
Plate holder removal cover (supplied)
Billet aluminium rear view mirror plugs (supplied)
“Shell” and “Foggy” logo stickers (supplied)

For more information, refer to the press release below.

Press Release:

Panigale V4 25°Anniversario 916: the Ducati tribute to the bike that changed Superbike history

• Ducati presents a special limited-edition bike - just 500 will be built - that is destined for nothing less that cult status
• Special anniversary proceedings headed by none other than "King" Carl Fogarty himself during SBK race weekend in the USA
• Bike number 5 is to be auctioned, with proceeds going to a fund-raising effort in memory of Carlin Dunne
• The bike is priced at INR 54,90,000 (Ex-showroom) in India

New Delhi, 15 July 2019 – In 2019 a quarter of a century will have elapsed since the Ducati 916 arrived on the global stage, forever changing the Superbike world. Born from Massimo Tamburini’s sketches, this bike has revolutionized the world of motorcycle design and has made fans fall in love all over the planet. Incredibly innovative in its style, elegance, lightweight and compactness, by many it’s believed to be the sexiest and most iconic bike ever built.

The Ducati 916 wasn't just a beautiful bike and an enormous sales success. It also won World Superbike championships: the 916 SBK was a force to be reckoned with even as it made its debut in 1994, and the following years saw it win 120 races, 8 constructors' titles and 6 riders' titles, four of them with Carl Fogarty. The Englishman has won 55 races with Ducati, of which 43 riding a Ducati 916 SBK and 996 SBK. "King Carl" and the 916 remain the most successful "couple" in Ducati SBK history.

Ducati has decided to celebrate this anniversary by building a special 916-dedicated version of the Panigale V4. Hence the genesis of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916: a unique limited-edition bike of only 500 pieces, designed to let all true Ducatisti re-live the spirit of the 916.

The "25° Anniversario 916" is built on the mechanics of the Panigale V4 S. This has been upgraded with racing content from the Panigale V4 R such as the Front Frame, designed to Ducati Corse specifications. The look of the bike combines a special livery with forged magnesium wheels, a titanium type-approved Akrapovic exhaust and a long list of Ducati Performance components.

For its world-first preview, Ducati chose round nine of the Superbike World Championship, taking place this weekend at Laguna Seca (California, USA). Here, Francesco Milicia (VP Global Sales & After Sales Director Ducati Motor Holding), Jason Chinnock (CEO Ducati North America) and Carl Fogarty unveiled the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916.

The presentation of the bike was also an occasion of remembrance, honouring Californian Carlin Dunne, the Spider Grips Ducati team rider who recently died at Pikes Peak. Jason Chinnock announced Ducati's decision to remove the number 5 from selling, the same number that Dunne used to race with. The bike will be auctioned, with proceeds going to a fund-raising effort aimed at providing Carlin's mother with support.

Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India said, "The Ducati 916 is one of the most iconic motorcycles to have come out of the Borgo Panigale factory and it redefined design and performance at its time. At Ducati, we’re very proud of our heritage and what better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 916 than to produce an ultra-exclusive version of the Panigale V4, recognizing our present and the past. The Panigale V4 25° Anniversary 916 is coming to India and I’m sure bike enthusiasts and collectors alike will appreciate its uniqueness."

"I’m thrilled to be here at this event," stated Carl Fogarty after riding the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 onto the stage at Pebble Beach. "The Ducati 916 gave me some fantastic, unforgettable moments. It played a starring role in my career and in the history of the World Superbike Championship. On the wider motorcycling scene, it set a whole new standard of style and performance. I’m proud to have played a pivotal role in that success story, and equally proud to be here today and celebrate this important anniversary by officially unveiling this breath-taking bike."

Starting from Saturday morning, the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will go on display at Ducati Island (the space Ducati traditionally sets aside for its fans during American races).

The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will arrive in dealerships starting from October 2019 at a price of INR 54,90,000 Ex-showroom.

(Source: ZigWheels.com)