After 2020 threw a massive wrench in Ducati’s launch plans, the company is getting back on track and has launched two more BS6 models, the Panigale V4 and V4 S and the Diavel 1260 and Diavel 1260 S. The Panigale V4 and V4 S will cost Rs 23.5 lakh and Rs 28.4 lakh, respectively while the Diavel 1260 and 1260 S will cost Rs 18.49 lakh and Rs 21.49 lakh, respectively. Bookings for both bikes are now open and deliveries are expected to begin shortly.
The 2021 Ducati Panigale V4 is powered by a now BS6-compliant 1103cc 90-degree V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine that churns out 211bhp at 13,000rpm and 124Nm at 9500rpm. To maintain these bonkers figures and comply with emissions norms, the exhaust system has been revised with 10mm longer catalysts. The Panigale V4 has received major updates in the aero department over the model that was last available in India. It now gets winglets and more aggressive fins in the fairing to better manage airflow over the radiators. In short, the Panigale V4 now gets the same aero package found on the V4 R.
In terms of electronics, the 2021 Panigale V4 features the latest version of Ducati’s traction control system and also comes packed to the brim with other rider aids including wheelie control slide control, launch control, ride modes, power modes, engine brake control, a bi-directional quickshifter and of course ABS all of which are linked to a six-axis IMU meaning the electronics are lean sensitive. The standard version uses 43mm Showa BPF forks upfront and a Sachs monoshock both of which are fully adjustable but the ‘S’ variant benefits from an Ohlins NIX30 43mm fork setup in the front and a TTX36 monoshock both of which are electronically adjustable. Braking is handled by Brembo Stylema calipers mounted on 330mm discs upfront and a two-pot caliper mounted on a 245mm disc at the rear. Fully fueled, the Panigale V4 weighs 198kg and the V4 S tips the scales at 195kg. The weight savings in the S variant comes courtesy of lighter forged Marchesini wheels and a lithium-ion battery. The 2021 models also feature self-bleeding clutch and brake pumps, a feature that was first used on the Superleggera V4.
The 2021 Ducati Diavel is powered by a 1262cc V-Twin engine that is good for 159.5bhp at 9500rpm and 129Nm at 7500rpm. Despite the transition to BS6, the engineers at Ducati have managed to extract more power from the Testastretta DVT engine, 3bhp more to be precise. But the bike has put on 5kg in the process. The Standard 1260 now weighs 249kg with all fluids filled while the 1260 S with its lighter alloys weighs 2kg less. That’s not the only difference between the standard and the S variant, however. To begin with the standard variant gets massive 50mm fully-adjustable forks at the front and a preload and rebound adjustable monoshock but the S variant gets 48mm Ohlins upfront and an Ohlins monoshock as well, both of which are fully adjustable. The S also benefits from higher spec Brembo M50 calipers while the standard uses Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers.
The electronics package on the 2021 models have been updated with improved riding modes along with the Bosch six-axis IMU that enables cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, launch control and cruise control. The S variant gets a bi-directional quickshifter as standard. The standard Diavel 1260 is available in the Total Black colourway while the S variant is available in Ducati Red (new for 2021) and Thrilling Black colourways.
The Diavel 1260 and Panigale V4 launch come hot off the heels of the Streetfighter V4 launch and we’re only halfway done for the launches slated for 2021. Despite the restrictions imposed by the second wave of the pandemic Ducati has confirmed that it will be sticking to its plans of launching 12 bikes in India in 2021. Next on the roster is the all-new Multistrada V4 which is expected to make an appearance sometime between the end of June and the beginning of July.