Ducati’s new litre-class superbike has been spotted testing in Europe less than a week after its teaser microsite went live. Internally called Project 1408, this limited edition track-focussed motorcycle is rumoured to sport a price tag of GBP 66,000 (Rs 54 lakh).
The Project 1408 is expected to be the Superleggera (‘super light’ in Italian) trim of the 1299 Panigale. The previous Ducati Superleggera (Project 1201) was an extremely rare superbike based on the 1199 Panigale, and featured a host of weight saving measures and state of the art technology. Ducati’s microsite previews the Project 1408’s highlights, including the carbon fibre monocoque chassis and subframe. However, this spy shot reveals that the Project 1408 will also get new wheels, cut outs in the fairing to improve ventilation and a carbon fibre rear seat cowl.
While this test mule sported a regular underbelly exhaust, the Project 1408 is also expected to be offered with an underseat race kit exhaust like world superbike race machines. With a power output of around 220 horsepower, the Project 1408 will be the most powerful production motorcycle in Ducati’s portfolio. The motorcycle is expected to be unveiled at the 2016 EICMA Show, next month. It is unlikely that the Project 1408 will be officially launched in India. However, Ducati India should be more than willing to procure a bike for those willing to part in excess of Rs 1 crore for this two-wheeled marvel.
Source: morebikes
