With the version unveiled at WDW 2024, Ducati fielded a Panigale V4 in the Race of Champions that was a full second faster than the previous model. Now, two years after that launch, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer presents its evolution: the Panigale V4 MY2027.
To create the Panigale V4 MY2027, Ducati focused on every single detail that could enhance performance—just as it does in competition. Leveraging the experience gained in racing—where the seventh-generation Ducati superbike secured the world championship title and various national rider and manufacturer titles upon its debut*—the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has developed the V4 to make it even faster and more effective on the track.
Ducati has refined the engine, aerodynamics, chassis and electronics, honing every aspect of the bike with a single goal: to boost its potential and allow the rider to exploit it more effectively. The result is a Panigale V4 that delivers higher performance and is more intuitive and accessible when riding at the limit.
The Desmosedici Stradale engine now produces 218 hp (+2 hp), thanks to modifications that improve airflow and reduce mechanical friction. Adopting longer final gearing and raising the rev limiter by 500 rpm allows for better utilization of high-end power, reducing the number of gear shifts required per lap.
At the same time, Ducati has improved the bike’s dynamic behaviour during the most critical phases of sports riding—braking, turn-in, mid-corner and exit—by introducing significant chassis and electronic updates.
The effectiveness of the entire package is confirmed by tests conducted at the Vallelunga circuit, where the new Panigale V4 recorded an average lap time improvement of 0.4 seconds compared to the previous model. Many of the features found on the Panigale V4 MY27 were also tested and validated in race conditions by Ducati riders during the Lenovo Race of Champions, contributing to a 0.7-second improvement on the pole position record set by Nicolò Bulega.
The new Panigale V4 (S version) also joins the Ducati Factory Made program, offering levels of customization unmatched by any other motorcycle brand in the world. Customers can choose from 11 different colours—including five taken directly from Automobili Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program—as well as two liveries and a range of homologated accessories installed directly during production, allowing every Ducatista to create the Panigale V4 of their dreams.
More powerful and efficient Desmosedici Stradale engine
At the heart of the new Panigale V4 S lies the Desmosedici Stradale, the engine that represents the most direct technological link between Ducati’s production superbikes and the expertise gained in MotoGP. For the 2027 Model Year, updates focus on optimizing the engine’s overall efficiency through a revised exhaust system, a new high-flow air intake (+0.6% at 300 km/h) and a recalibrated lubrication circuit to reduce power loss.
These modifications boost peak power to 218 hp (+2 hp) in the Euro5+ homologated configuration, with the greatest gains occurring between 12,000 and 14,000 rpm, including a peak increase of 3.5 hp at 13,000 rpm. The tangible benefit is even more effective drive during the decisive phases of a lap, when every tenth of a second depends on the ability to accelerate harder and for longer.
In addition to this improvement, at high speeds there is a further increase thanks to the new air intake, which delivers an extra 1.3 CV at 300 km/h.
To make the most of the engine’s increased potential, Ducati has adopted longer final gearing (17/42 instead of 16/41) and raised the rev limiter to 15,000 rpm in gears two through five. This solution allows the rider to stay in the optimal gear for longer, reducing the number of gear shifts and enabling greater focus on racing lines and riding technique. At Vallelunga, this translates to two fewer gear shifts per lap.
For those seeking the ultimate track performance, the new Akrapovič Full Racing Exhaust PRO is also available; it adds 11 hp and 7 Nm of torque while simultaneously reducing the bike’s weight by 6.6 kg. The rider benefits from a bike that accelerates more effectively, reacts more quickly to changes of direction and delivers performance closer to that of a true race bike.
Chassis: better feeling, more grip, higher mid-corner speed
When working on a bike that is already at the top of its class, the most significant improvements come from refining the overall balance. As a result, Ducati engineers focused their efforts on the ability of the chassis of the new Panigale V4 S to maximize tyre performance at extreme lean angles.
The key modification involves the Front Frame, where lateral stiffness has been reduced by 12%, improving the bike’s ability to keep the tyre in contact with the asphalt at high lean angles. For the rider, this results in increased front-end grip, more precise feel during turn-in and an improved ability to tighten the line toward the apex. This, in turn, makes it possible to maintain higher cornering speeds and open the throttle earlier when exiting a turn.
The new final drive ratio also indirectly contributes to the bike’s dynamic behaviour. By effectively reducing the wheelbase by 8 mm, it makes the Panigale V4 S even quicker in changes of direction. For the rider, this translates into greater nimbleness on twisty sections, making the bike more usable and less physically demanding.
The V4 S version also introduces new adjustable clip-on handlebars designed for track use. Raising them by 10 mm creates a higher riding position, following the trend seen in MotoGP development over recent years. This gives the rider better leverage on the handlebars, resulting in improved control and reduced physical effort during direction changes and prolonged, heavy braking. **
Electronics
The electronics on the new Panigale V4 S take another step forward by bringing management strategies to the production bike that allow riders to experience sensations and riding techniques increasingly similar to those of official Ducati MotoGP and Superbike riders.
The key new feature is Dynamic Engine Brake; this system replaces the previous Engine Brake Control and uses the DVO (Ducati Vehicle Observer) algorithm to modulate engine braking based on the actual load on the rear tyre. This results in more predictable behaviour upon corner entry, greater stability when braking at lean angles and increased confidence when riding at the limit.
Alongside Dynamic Engine Brake, the new Race Brake Control makes its debut, derived directly from experience gained with the most exclusive models in the Ducati range. The system increases the rear wheel’s contribution during deceleration, allowing for more effective use of available grip.
Working in tandem, Dynamic Engine Brake and Race Brake Control allow the rider to harness rear-wheel braking power typically reserved for professionals. This enables later braking points, allowing riders to maintain speed into corners and execute tighter, more efficient lines. The result is a significant boost in lap efficiency, coupled with a sense of control and confidence for a much wider range of riders.
Customisation
For the first time, the Panigale—specifically the V4 S model—joins the Ducati Factory Made program, expanding customisation options directly at the production stage.
Ducati enthusiasts can choose from eleven different colour schemes, including five options drawn directly from the Automobili Lamborghini Ad Personam program, alongside the Corse and Performance liveries. The offering also includes a selection of homologated components that can be factory-installed, such as the Front Brake PRO and PRO+ packages, the STM dry clutch, and adjustable footpegs. Customers thus receive a motorcycle already configured to their preferences, eliminating the need for subsequent installations, offering the advantage of a perfectly integrated solution validated by Ducati, while maintaining the authenticity and quality guaranteed by Borgo Panigale production.
Availability
The new Panigale V4 will be available at European Ducati dealerships starting in March 2027 and at North American dealerships from April. Distribution will continue in other countries in the following months.
* 2025 Italian Production SBK Championship with Panigale V4 S, 2026 British Superbike with Panigale V4 R, 2026 EuroMoto SBK with Panigale V4 R
** Adjustment reserved for track use
- Colours
- 2 Icon (Ducati Red, Ducati Yellow)
- 2 Style (Thrilling Black, GP19 Red)
- 2 Sophistication (Aviator Grey, Arctic White Silk)
- 5 Lamborghini Ad personam (Arancio Xanto, Giallo Belenus, Verde Scandal, Viola Pasifae, Blu Uranus)
- 2 liveries (Performance, Corse)
- Key standard features
- Desmosedici Stradale engine, 1,103 cc
- Maximum power of 218 hp at 13,500 rpm
- Maximum torque of 120.6 Nm at 11,000 rpm
- Rev limiter at 15,000 rpm
- New enlarged front air intake (air pressure +0.6% at 300 km/h)
- Kerb weight without fuel: 187 kg
- Front Frame chassis with optimized lateral stiffness
- 17-litre aluminium fuel tank
- Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) 3.0
- Öhlins NPX-30 fork with Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 control system
- Öhlins TTX 36 shock absorber with Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 control system
- Öhlins steering damper with Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 control system
- Forged aluminium wheels
- Lithium battery
- Braking system with Brembo Hypure™ monobloc calipers
- Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 tyres with 200/60 rear
- New biplane-configuration wings with integrated design and enlarged side endplates
- Latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): Race eCBS with cornering functionality; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO; Ducati Slide Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO; Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Dynamic Engine Brake (DEB), Race Brake Control (RBC), Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO)
- Adjustable Clip-ons (track use only)
- Buttons for quick level adjustment
- New 6.9” full-TFT dashboard with 8:3 aspect ratio
- Riding Modes (Race A, Race B, Sport, Road, Wet)
- Full-LED lighting system with DRL and turn signals integrated into the headlight ***
- Single-seat configuration (passenger kit available as an accessory)
- Pre-configured for Ducati Data Logger (DDL) and Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
Panigale V4
- Colour
- Ducati Red with Urban Grey frame and black wheels
- Standard equipment same as Panigale V4 S, except for:
- Kerb weight (without fuel): 191 kg
- 43 mm Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF), fully adjustable
- Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable
- Sachs steering damper
- Fixed clip-ons
- Five-spoke light alloy wheels
- Lead-acid battery
*** Not available on all markets
[content-egg module=Feed__10 template=grid]
(original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk)
**************************************
📣 If you like our video content, please press the ❤️ Hype button on our videos—it might help us grow and reach even more motorcycle enthusiasts. Thank you for your amazing support! 🙌
**************************************
Support Modern Classic Motorcycle News and become a YouTube Member for just £5 per month. Members help keep the channel independent and receive extra value, including x2 digital issues of M.C.M. News Magazine free per month join here:
Out Now on Kindle
Watch, like and subscribe to our Youtube channel
Get These Awesome Perks With Our YouTube Membership!: Join Our YouTube Membership and Save – Get two digital issues of Modern Classic Motorcycle News per month free join here:
👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for more modern classic motorcycle content
**************************************
For more Ducati news, check out our dedicated page Ducati UK News
or head to the official Ducati UK website ducati.com/gb/en/home
About Ducati
Ducati is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1926 in Bologna, known for high-performance motorcycles with distinctive designs and powerful engines, particularly the 90° V-twin, which it brands as the “L-twin”. The company has a strong racing heritage, competing and winning in MotoGP and WorldSBK championships. Ducati was acquired by Audi in 2012 and is part of the Volkswagen Group.
Facebook: @Ducati
Instagram: @scramblerducati, @ducatiuk
* Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and make a purchase. Any money made goes straight back into the website and magazine. Your support is appreciated!
