EICMA 2016: Ducati unveils Superleggera 1299

Ducati has taken the wraps off its Superleggera 1299 at EICMA 2016. MotoGP Champ and Ducati ambassador Casey Stoner rode the 1299 Superleggera to the center stage at the ‘Grand Finale’ of the Ducati World Première 2017.  The EURO 4 compliant Superleggera is the first factory produced model in the world to feature a carbon fibre frame, swingarm, subframe and wheels. Ducati will produce only 500 of this limited edition for the globe.

The supersport will be powered by a 1285cc twin-cylinder Desmodromic engine based on Ducati’s Superquadro version churning out 212bhp of power at 11,000rpm. Ducati’s Superquadro engine is unusually over square, unlike previous Ducatis which had belt-driven overhead cams. This version of the engine’s valvetrain uses gears and chain where the engine serves as a stressed member, making the Superleggera lighter than a conventionally framed motorcycle. It will also sport a WSBK-spec Akrapovic exhaust kit.

Superleggera means Superlight, and the superbike stands true to this name with a weight of just 150kg dry and with that Ducati has raised the power-to-weight ratio considerably. With this lightest and the most powerful supersport, the Italian motorcycle marque has taken the concept of road-sport bikes to a totally different level. Ducati is yet to reveal if this 1299 will make it to India or not.