The Ducati World Premiere 2018 presented a preview of 4 new motorcycles that will be on show at EICMA 2017 from 9 to 12 November in Milan. Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, unveiled the latest bikes, celebrated a fantastic race season together with official Ducati Corse (MotoGP and SBK) riders shared the stage with international guests and illustrated the company’s recent achievements and future goals.
Sporting spirit, love of beauty, excellence in design and excellent passion
“Ducati is a global brand with a solid Italian core. Sporting spirit, a love of beauty, excellence in design and a capacity to arouse great passion and build unique experiences,” Claudio Domenicali said at the open of the Ducati World Premiere 2018. “We’re a 1,600-person orchestra. We’ve come a long way. Today, we conceive, design, and build inimitable motorcycles. Every day, together with our dealers, over 5,000 people all over the world are committed to providing motorcyclists from 93 countries with nothing less than perfection! Motorcyclists whose appreciation of our work and bikes is growing. The year 2017 will, in fact, be the best in our history, the culmination of eight straight years of growth. With these latest bikes in the 2018 range, we aim to continue the “symphony” that stems from a team effort in which all members of the ‘orchestra’ interact in perfect harmony, each providing individual excellence to breathe life into our fantastic motorcycles.”
Ducati World Premiere 2018: Scrambler 1100
The first new bike was the Ducati Scrambler 1100. Domenicali presented it together with American model and influencer @Imogenocide, the star of the bike’s launch video (soundtracked by the Fun Lovin’ Criminals). The Scrambler 1100 also comes in a Special version which draws its inspiration from the custom world, and a Sports version. Also on stage was the Scrambler Mach2, the Desert Sled with a never-before-seen black livery and the new Street Classic. The evening continued with the 959 Panigale Corse, which maintains the tradition of Ducati twin-cylinder sports bikes. The new bike was ridden onto the stage by SBK rider Chaz Davies, who arrived in Milan from Doha, in Qatar, where he had just completed the last round of the SBK world championship, finishing an impressive second in both the race and the tournament.
Ducati World Premiere 2018: Multistrada 1260
The Multistrada 1260 is another new 2018 model of the Italian brand. Mounting the new Ducati 1262 cm3 Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine, it also features a new chassis set-up, more modern electronics and a re-style that includes side ‘wings’ and sportier-looking wheels. The Ducati “multi-bike” comes in several versions: the S version offers semi-active suspension and S D|Air – which maximises safety thanks to integration with an airbag-equipped jacket – while the Pikes Peak, the sportiest Multistrada version, features Öhlins mechanical suspension and forged aluminum wheels. During the evening Claudio Domenicali also showcased the Multistrada 1200 Enduro Pro, set to play a pivotal role in DRE (Ducati Riding Experience) Enduro 2018 courses, the XDiavel, introduced by award-winning chef Massimo Bottura in a special video message, and the Monster 821, presented to the press last week.
Ducati World Premiere 2018: Panigale V4 S
The real star of the evening was the S version of the new Panigale V4. It is the factory bike that comes close to being a MotoGP prototype than anything ever seen. Ridden onto the stage by talented test rider Michele Pirro. This is the first mass-produced Ducati bike to mount a 4-cylinder engine derived directly from the Desmosedici GP. The new Ducati supersport family is a concentrate of technology, style, and performance. Constituting a new chapter in the company’s history, it also includes the exclusive, limited-edition, individually-numbered Panigale V4 Speciale. The Panigale V4 Speciale – with dedicated livery, titanium exhaust, and billet aluminum components – was ridden onto the stage by non-other than top-class tester and Ducati ambassador Casey Stoner, the perfect grand finale to close out the event. For more information go to www.ducati.com
