2017 Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition

On Friday night of the Laguna Seca round of the World Superbike Championship, in nearby Pebble Beach, Ducati unveiled what will be the last V-twin-powered 1299 Panigale. It will be succeeded next year—according to CEO Claudio Domenicali—by a V-four-powered superbike, which could make this 1299 Panigale R Final Edition the end of V-twin superbikes from Ducati for the rest of time.

Domenicali leaned heavily on the history of V-twin superbike racing at Ducati, referencing the Bologna firm's first win, way back in 1988 with the 851, and giving a tip of the hat to all of the bikes in between—from 916 to 1098 to frameless Panigales. This type of reminiscing certainly suggests that the era of V-twin flagships at Ducati has come to an end for good.

Technically speaking, the 1299 FE is basically a mashup of the Superleggera and the showroom-spec 1299 Panigale. The engine is, "an offshoot" of the Superleggera—it uses the up-spec/lightened crankshaft with tungsten inserts, as well as the larger, titanium valves and cams with increased lift. When push comes to shove, the FE puts out a claimed 209 horsepower at 11,000 rpm. That's more than the base 1299's 205 hp but less than the Superleggera's 215 hp.

One of the more obvious bits draped over the FE is the titanium Akrapovic exhaust, with two giant cans pointed backwards above the rear wheel, modeled after the racebike’s system. There’s also fully adjustable and drool-worthy Ohlins suspension (that’s an NIX30 fork and TTX36 shock) and obvious Brembo M50 brakes paired with 330mm rotors. Beefy stuff.

As for electronics, you name it and the 1299 FE has it—power modes, traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, engine braking, a quickshifter, all adjustable and working in tandem with an IMU and Bosch ABS technology to try to keep this prized possession shiny side up.

The 1299 FE production will be numbered but not limited—meaning you’ll feel special, but Ducati isn’t promising just how special it’ll be. A lot of people might want a bite at this apple. Tri-color paint is mandatory and damned handsome in person. How much, you say? If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. Ducati dealers will facilitate test rides and pricing information if your bank account is ready.