Ducati is going to replace its popular superbike, the 1199 Panigale R, with a brand new motorcycle, expected to be christened as 1299 Panigale. The superbike might break cover at the 2014 EICMA Show in Italy, this November.
The chaps at MotoCorsa Ducati dealership in Portland, Oregon, after being declared as the best dealership in the US, posted on a photo on a social networking site which had the 1299 Panigale in its background, thereby accidentally revealing the existence of the superbike. While the photo has been taken down from the website, it seems that it was too late as the photo went viral over the internet within a few hours. The photograph was taken at a dealer convention in the US.
With the increase in size of the engine, the power figure for the 1299 Panigale is expected to blow past the 200bhp mark. The 1299 Panigale will be sold alongside the 1199 Panigale and the 1199 Panigale S, while the Panigale 1199 R is expected to be discontinued. The decision to develop a new 1299 Panigale seems to be influenced by the new regulations for the WSBK championship. Certain aspects of the superbikes competing in the championship have to be altered to suit the new guidelines, which will come into force for the 2015 season.
