The new engine derived from MotoGP

 

Orders now being taken at Ducati Glasgow.

 

Ducati V4

The new V4 90° engine, based on the experience gained in MotoGP where the performance of the four-cylinder Desmosedici is at the top of its class, was designed to equip future Ducati supersport models. By transferring the technology of its most powerful engine from competition to production, Ducati offers its enthusiastic customers the experience that has been acquired over many seasons of MotoGP.

It's called Desmosedici Stradale and is destined to become a milestone in the history of the company based in Borgo Panigale, which before now had never equipped a mass-produced sport bike with a four-cylinder engine
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V4 90°
For Ducati, the V4 layout at 90° is the utmost expression of sportiness for a motorcycle engine. It is no coincidence that it is the same solution used in the MotoGP Desmosedici engines. The 90° V layout of the cylinders creates a natural balancing of first-order forces without the need to resort to a balance shaft to eliminate the vibrations that notoriously entail increases in weight and power absorption. In addition to this primary benefit, which is extremely important for the reliability and mechanical efficiency of an engine that reaches rotation speeds greater than 14,000 rpm, there are others that make the configuration chosen by Ducati the most technically refined.

Ducati V4

Desmo: blending tradition and the future
The new engine is designed around the Desmodromic system, a characteristic that helps make Ducati the fastest prototypes of the top racing class in motorcycle racing. With this high-rotation engine the "Desmo" achieves its maximum technical value, reaching levels of sophistication, compactness and lightness never seen before on a Ducati.

Ducati V4

Counter-rotating crankshaft
On street bikes the crankshaft rotates in the same direction as the wheels. In contrast, in MotoGP the counter-rotating crankshaft that rotates in the opposite direction is commonly used. The Desmosedici Stradale has borrowed this technical solution to compensate for part of the gyroscopic effect produced by the wheels, making the bike more agile and precise when changing directions. The counter-rotating crankshaft also generates a torque due to inertia that tends to lower the front end during acceleration, and the rear end when braking, thus reducing the wheelie phenomenon.

Ducati V4

"Twin Pulse" firing order
The crank pins, offset by 70° like on the Desmosedici GP, require a "Twin Pulse" firing order to generate power that is easy to handle and optimise traction when coming out of curves ("Big Bang" effect). Thanks to this firing order the Desmosedici Stradale makes a unique and distinctive sound.

Ducati V4

As in MotoGP, the engine was designed with an 81 mm cylinder bore. This measurement reflects the maximum limit allowed by MotoGP rules; it’s also the highest in the 4-cylinder supersport segment. Using the same bore as the Desmosedici GP engine means both power units share nearly identical in-engine fluid dynamics (i.e. on valves, intake ducts and throttle bodies, right where the power is produced).

Ducati V4

The Desmosedici Stradale was developed to combine racing performance with all the necessities for road use. To maximise mid-range torque - so important for the enjoyability of motorcycles on roads open to traffic - and to achieve torque and power at slower speeds, the engine has a larger displacement than the MotoGP version, specifically 1,103 cm³. It delivers a power output of more than 155 kW (210 hp) at 13,000 rpm and a maximum torque of over 120 Nm (12.2 Kgm) from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm in the Euro 4 version.

Ducati V4

Road and Track
The bore of (81 mm) is the same as that used by the Desmosedici GP engine and is the maximum dimension allowed by MotoGP regulations. It is also the highest in the four-cylinder supersport segment.

The stroke (53.5 mm) is longer compared to the Desmosedici GP engine in order to deliver higher torque on open road use, and to reduce maximum engine rotation speed.
The use of the same bore as the Desmosedici GP engine means that all the fluid dynamics (valves, intake pipes, throttle bodies), which in fact make up the heart of the engine where the performance is generated are also very similar in the two drive units.

Ducati V4

Racing architecture
The V4 90° layout makes the engine extremely compact, allowing the centring of the masses and better integration into the bike. In fact, the Desmosedici Stradale has been inserted into the vehicle with the front bank of the cylinders rotated back by 42° with respect to the horizontal plane, as on the Ducati engines competing in MotoGP. This optimises the distribution of weight, allows for the use of more extensive radiators and makes it possible to shift the swinging arm pivot forwards.

Its architecture also generates a natural balancing of first-order forces, without the gain in weight and loss of power of a balance shaft.

Ducati V4

Variable height intake funnels
Variable height intake funnels optimise cylinder filling at all rotation speeds with important benefits in terms of power and rideability. The fuel supply system is thus completed by oval throttle bodies, each with two injectors: one below the throttle and the other above.

Ducati V4

Maintenance
Starting from the Desmosedici GP engine, the manufacturing technologies, the materials and the auxiliary components layouts have been modified to achieve the required road durability, achieving standard maintenance intervals of 24,000 km (Desmo Service), Euro 4 homologation and high production capacity.

Ducati V4

An R version with a displacement of less than 1000 cc - which revs higher and is intended more for track use - is currently at the advanced development stage. This will provide the foundation for the homologated version that competes in the Superbike championship, where this engine will be used starting in 2019 (one year on from the launch of the respective road version, as per the Ducati tradition).

Out of the experience gained in MotoGP, where the 4-cylinder Desmosedici unleashes incomparable performance, comes a new 90° V4 engine designed to power the Ducati supersport models of tomorrow. In transferring the technology of its most cutting-edge power unit from racetrack to road, Ducati offers customers performance levels honed by years of MotoGP experience.
 
Called the Desmosedici Stradale, this engine is set to become yet another Ducati milestone: it will be the first time ever that the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer has equipped a standard production bike with a 4-cylinder engine.
 
The official unveiling took place in Misano during the San Marino and Rimini Riviera GP, the thirteenth round of the 2017 MotoGP championship. A perfectly natural setting for the presentation, as MotoGP is the proving ground from which the new engine has drawn experience, technology and grit.
 
“It's with undiluted pride that we unveil this technological gem. It represents the start of a new chapter for our company, underlining our vitality and an unshakeable commitment to investment in new products", stated Claudio Domenicali, Ducati's CEO, during the presentation of the Desmosedici Stradale. "This engine also highlights the close collaboration between Ducati Corse and the factory bike development team, proving just how instrumental racing can be in developing the technology that is later applied on production bikes. In November, at EICMA, we'll be showcasing the new Panigale V4, an all-new motorcycle powered by this extraordinary engine”.
 
While the Desmosedici Stradale engine is undoubtedly suited to the track, it has also been designed to respond to the needs of the road rider. For example, to maximise mid-range torque - essential for a satisfying road experience - and ensure punchy torque and power at lower revs, the engine has a slightly larger displacement than its MotoGP counterpart (1103 cm³, to be precise). Power output from the Euro 4 compliant engine configuration exceeds 155 kW (210 hp) at 13,000 rpm while maximum torque exceeds 120 Nm (12.2 Kgm) from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm.
 
An R version with a displacement of less than 1000 cc - which revs higher and is intended more for track use - is currently at the advanced development stage. This will provide the foundation for the homologated version that competes in the Superbike championship, where this engine will be used starting in 2019 (one year on from the launch of the respective road version, as per the Ducati tradition).
 
As on the Ducati bikes used in racing, the crankshaft is of the counter-rotating type. This reduces the overall gyroscopic effect and makes the bike faster and more agile when changing direction.
 
The crank pins, offset at 70° as on the Desmosedici GP, involve a Twin Pulse firing sequence that generates easy-to-handle power delivery and optimises out-of-the-corner traction (“Big Bang” effect). This firing sequence also gives the Desmosedici Stradale a unique signature sound.
A 90° V4 configuration makes the engine extremely compact, allowing centralisation of mass and smoothing incorporation on the vehicle. The Desmosedici Stradale has, in fact, been inserted on the motorcycle with the front cylinders banked 42° back from the horizontal, just like the Ducati engines employed in MotoGP. This, of course, optimises weight distribution, allows the adoption of larger radiators and brings the swingarm pivot point forwards.
Its architecture also evens up first order forces naturally without the added weight and power loss that a balancing countershaft would involve.
 
As in MotoGP, the engine was designed with an 81 mm cylinder bore. This measurement reflects the maximum limit allowed by MotoGP rules; it’s also the highest in the 4-cylinder supersport segment.
Using the same bore as the Desmosedici GP engine means both power units share nearly identical in-engine fluid dynamics (i.e. on valves, intake ducts and throttle bodies, right where the power is produced).
 
Needless to say, the new engine is designed around the Desmodromic system, a key characteristic that helps make Ducati prototypes the fastest in MotoGP. On this high-revving engine the “Desmo” system achieves a degree of sophistication, lightness and compactness never before seen on a Ducati.
 
Variable-height air intake horns constitute another first for a Ducati factory bike, optimising cylinder intake across the rev range and giving significant advantages in terms of power delivery and handling. Completing the fuelling system are the oval throttle bodies, each equipped with two injectors: one above the butterfly and one below it.
 
This package of cutting-edge technical solutions - absolutely unique within the Supersport segment - makes the Desmosedici Stradale an engine like no other in the motorcycle world.
 
 
Main technical data:
    •    1,103 cm³ 4-cylinder 90-degree V
    •    Bore x stroke 81 x 53.5 mm
    •    Compression ratio 14:1
    •    Maximum power exceeds 210 hp at 13,000 rpm
    •    Maximum torque exceeds 120 Nm from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm
    •    Counter-rotating crankshaft
    •    Twin Pulse firing sequence, crank pins offset at 70°
    •    Euro 4 emissions
    •    Desmodromic part chain, part gear timing with dual overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
    •    Wet multiplate anti-patter servo clutch
    •    Semi-dry sump lubrication with four oil pumps: 1 delivery and 3 return
    •    Fuelling with four oval throttle bodies (52 mm diameter equivalent) and variable-height intake horns
    •    6-speed gearbox with DQS up/down system
    •    24,000 km “Desmo-service” maintenance interval (15,000 miles)

Orders now being taken.

 

To find out more and order your V4 Desmosedici Stradale:

Call Ducati Glasgow on 0141 333 4998 or email info@ducatiglasgow.co.uk