Ducati developing string of new V4-powered motorcycles

- More variants of V4 Stradale engine in pipeline

- Will be used only in litre-class and higher capacity bikes

- Panigale V4 R homologation special to be unveiled this year

Ducati will be rolling out new versions of the V4 Stradale engine for other models in its range, according to the brand's CEO Claudio Domenicali. The homologation special Panigale V4 R will be the first motorcycle to get one, and will make its debut later this year.

While the Stradale V4 engine displaces 1103cc, the Panigale V4 R will have a short-stroke litre-class engine to adhere to the WSBK homologation regulations. This will make it eligible to compete in the 2019 season. But that is not it; Ducati is also working on other variants of the engine. 

The 90-degree V4 configuration makes the Stradale extremely compact, allowing low centralisation of mass. The one in Panigale V4 churns out a mind-boggling 210bhp and 120Nm of torque. The new variants will be less powerful and easier on the pocket than the Panigale engine. This will help them get a good return on the investment spent in developing the Stradale. As manufacturing a V4 engine is lot more time consuming and expensive than the L-twins, it will only be used in litre-class and higher capacity motorcycles. We expect the next generation Multistrada to get a V4 engine in the near future.