• A supposed Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera was spotted undergoing tests.

• Ducati is following their tradition of producing limited-edition super light superbikes.

• The bike may be unveiled during the Ducati 2020 World Premiere.

A supposed Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera was spotted undergoing tests.

Maybe it was unexpected, but Ducati seems to be continuing with the Superleggera (super light) tradition, as they did with the Panigale 1199 and Panigale 1299.

Operating on the “light is right” principal, the test bike was spotted with generous amounts of carbon fibre. The main bodywork including the nose cone, front portion of the fuel tank, and seat unit are made of the lightweight stuff.

But we noticed that the bodywork’s styling takes after the Panigale V4 R’s complete with winglets.

Ducati seems to retain the front and rear mudguards, and belly pan in polymer. The swingarm is also non-carbon.

The rims share the same design as those on the Panigale 1199 Superleggera and Panigale 1299 Superleggera, however. It could very well mean that they are carbon fibre, too.

The exhaust muffler also looks different and could be of a lightweight design and material.

It goes without saying that the Superleggera will be much lighter than the regular V4. For comparison sake, the Panigale 1299 S weighed 190 kg, while the 1299 Superleggera tipped the scales at only 167 kg, making it the lightest production superbike.

Lower weight results in higher power-to-weight ratio and lower inertia. The bike accelerates faster, can hold higher mid corner speeds and brakes faster.

We may see he new bike during the Ducati 2020 World Premiere on 23rd October.

Source: Ride Apart