Ducati 2015 world premières in Milan

MILAN, Italy – A live streaming feed provided the perfect platform for the Ducati 2015 world première event. New products, innovative technology and ambitious plans have made Ducati more upbeat and confident than ever.

The new range features true "dream bikes", ready to thrill the fans who’ll be flocking to the 72nd Eicma World Motorcycle Fair at the International Milan Trade Fair from November 6.

The media conference provided Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, with the perfect opportunity to take stock of both the market and Ducati and unveil the soon-to-be-released bike range.

TRIO OF BIKES SHOWCASED

Despite the difficulties of the complicated, challenging international scenario, 2014 has seen Ducati -part of the Audi Group since 2012 - continue its positive growth of the previous few years.

Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, said during a pre-showmedia conference. “For Ducati, 2015 will be a milestone. There's a sports bike, the 1299 Panigale, that promises to set a whole new on-track standard thanks to raw power and sophisticated electronics, and a new, all-round Multistrada 1200 that combines sports handling and performance.

"The Scrambler brand will offer a bike with a never-before-seen mix of motorcycling modernity and heritage.”

Since the launch of the Ducati Scrambler in September 2014 at Intermot, this new Ducati 'brand' and its four innovative, high-appeal versions provided a curtain-raiser at the Elfo Puccini Theatre in Milan, venue for the Ducati 2015 world première of its 2015 models.

GALLERY: Show stars from Ducati

Afterwards it was the turn of two completely new bikes to be presented at Eicma 2014, the 1299 Panigale and Multistrada 1200, plus three other new versions (Panigale R, Diavel Titanium and Monster Stripes) and an array of new accessory and clothing products

BENCHMARK FOR PERFORMANCE

The 2015 Ducati Superbike family has a major new player in the category: the 1299 Panigale. The latest arrival at the Bologna-based firm, with its 1285cc Superquadro engine, Ducati says, has raisesd standards again in terms of performance for supersport bikes on the international market.

Thanks to 144.6Nm of torque at 8750rpm, dry weight of 166.5kg, maximum power of 160kW at 10 500rpm and a record-breaking power-to-weight ratio that puts its ahead of all competing road bikes, the 1299 Panigale is now the benchmark for ultra high-performance bikes.

A new electronics package, designed for the 1299 Panigale and incorporated in the three riding modes. Riders can count on anti-lock brakes, wheelie control and, on the S model, Öhlins Smart EC, an event-based suspension control system.

Moreover, the 1299 Panigale features, for the first time on a road-legal Ducati Superbike, the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), now usable for down-changing too: this sharpens track performance even further while making the bike easier to use during daily riding. On the 1299 Panigale, traction control, wheelie control and engine braking control have been optimised thanks to automatic tyre size and final drive ratio calibration.

It’s also a world première for the new generation of Multistrada 1200 bikes, featuring the latest Ducati Testastretta DVT (desmodromic variable timing) engine. In what is a first for the motorcycle industry, the DVT engine has a variable valve-timing system with independent control of intake and exhaust camshafts.

CRUISE CONTROL FOR ALL

Completely new, the Multistrada 1200 is technologically cutting-edge thanks also to a system that dynamically measures roll, yaw and pitch angles as well as their rates of change, thus ensuring performance and safety standards unprecedented, Ducati says, on a motorcycle.

The combination of control systems, had led, Ducati says, to substantial improvements in the operation of the ABS, making it a "cornering" system capable of controlling braking even through a bend with the bike cranked over.

All models now have cruise control. On the S version a Bluetooth module is included as standard: via the Ducati Multimedia System, this allows the bike to be connected to a smartphone for easy multimedia control of key functions (receiving calls, notification of text messages, or playing music).

Thanks to an iOS/Android app, the Bluetooth connection lets riders use bike data to activate other functions which enhance, extend or let them share their everyday riding or touring experiences via interaction with the  Ducati website and social networks.

MOTOGP HEROES ON SHOW

For 2015, Ducati also wanted to take the exclusiveness concept that forms the backbone of the Diavel project and raise it to a whole new level. Titanium, carbon, craftsmanship, finishing touches of outstanding quality, a near-manic attention to detail, dedicated design, a limited edition of 500 units: these are the core features of the latest addition to the Diavel family, the Diavel Titanium.

The Ducati 2015 world première also saw an appearance by the two official MotoGP 2015 flag bearers, Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone, just ahead of their last race of the MotoGP 2014 season in Valencia on Sunday November 9.

In the coming year the team, headed by Luigi Dall’Igna, will compete in MotoGP - a championship that remains central to Ducati’s strategy - with an all-new bike that is the result of this season’s incessant work and investment.

If you happen to be in Milan, the Ducati stand will be in Hall 18, Stand G – 74.