Ducati Project 1408 could be new and even lighter 1299 Panigale Superleggera special.

With the 1199 Panigale evolving itself into the 1299 Panigale, it was only natural that Ducati updated all the predecessor’s specials for its successor too. And we reckon that the newly revealed Ducati Project 1408 bike could lead to a new and even lighter successor to the 1199 Panigale Superleggera.

According to a reliable source, Ducati has already begun teasing Project 1408 with a number of its VIP customers. Details are vague but one thing that stood out the most is the constant hints of something made out of carbon fibre.

We are led to believe that the EICMA 2016-bound Ducati Project 1408 will be a new 1299 Panigale-based Superleggera special. More importantly, it will have more than just the 1299 Panigale’s updated mechanicals as rumours suggest that a carbon fibre chassis is in this mix too.

If the latter part is true, Ducati would not only take weight savings to the next level, it will also be a nod to the storied Italian brand’s MotoGP program before it made the switch back towards adopting a twin-spar aluminium racing chassis.

Whilst the carbon fibre chassis theory remains unproven for now, we expect an extensive use of said element should Project 1408 materialise as the 1299 Panigale Superleggera anyways – at least in the head stock assembly.

Another feature rumoured to make its way into Project 1408 is a new set of range-topping Öhlins suspension piece, but we reckon it wouldn’t be an electronic semi-active unit as it may be too heavy.

Surely we can expect carbon fibre wheels supplied by BST primed front and aft, and we reckon that the treatment seen in the previous 1199 Panigale Superleggera may be replicated in this succeeding model too. It will also likely feature both a WSBK-spec powertrain and exhaust added.

Whatever it may be, we are indeed excited to see what the mystic Ducati Project 1408 bike eventually turned out to be come EICMA 2016 in Milan next month. Expect more details then.