Ducati Panigale V4 Honors 25th Anniversary Of 916

Anybody who is a World Superbike fan likely knows of the decade of dominance put on by Ducati, particularly the five years with Carl Fogarty at the controls of the venerable 916 (as well as the next-generation 996). Not only did the bike look fantastic, but it was a pure racebike that was dang near unstoppable at the hands of King Carl. Together the pair won 10 races on the way to the SBK championship during the 916's maiden season in 1994, another 13 races enroute to a consecutive title in 1995. After only two years, the 916 had become a legend.

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When the motorcycle first arrived on showroom floors in 1994 it blew the motorcycle industry away with its combination of sexy lines and brutish performance. It looked as good as it ran. The bike was the culmination of years of research and development by legendary motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini. He considered the 916 one of his finest achievements, selecting design elements based on both form and function that not only gave the iconic 916 its groundbreaking appearance but the performance that was destined to make it an icon. The 916 featured a single-sided swingarm, dual underseat exhaust, completely redesigned high-performance L-twin engine and distinct bodywork that still turns heads today.

“In all of modern motorcycling history, no bike has been as era-defining as the 916, both in terms of design and performance. I’m incredibly proud to present this exclusive version of our Panigale V4, itself a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the 916,” Francesco Milicia (VP Global Sales & After Sales Director Ducati Motor Holding) explained during the unveiling at Pebble Beach, California. “We’ve decided to present the bike together with none other than ‘King’ Carl Fogarty himself. Presenting it on the American Superbike stage underscores our dedication to the US market, where bike enthusiasts and collectors alike will, I am sure, appreciate the uniqueness of the Panigale V4 25th Anniversary 916."

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Fast-forward 25 years later and Ducati is still building masterful machines. The latest powerhouse is the new Panigale V4, which has been making a name for itself over the past few years, and during the ninth round of the 2019 World Superbike season at Laguna Seca, the Italians unveiled the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 edition, commemorating the bike that arguably made Ducati a household name.

“I’m thrilled to be here at this event,” Carl Fogarty stated. “The Ducati 916 gave me some fantastic, unforgettable moments. It played a starring role in my career and in the history of the World Superbike Championship. On the wider motorcycling scene, it set a whole new standard of style and performance. I’m proud to have played a pivotal role in that success story, and equally proud to be here today and celebrate this important anniversary by officially unveiling this breathtaking bike.”

There will only be 500 examples of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916, of which 499 will be made available to the public. Bike number five will be auctioned off in honor of fallen Ducati rider Carlin Dunne, who passed away in a racing accident at Pikes Peak. All proceeds from the sale of bike number five will go to the Dunne family.

The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is built around the Panigale V4 S with select components sourced from the V4 R including a front frame built to Ducati Corse specifications, magnesium wheels, Akrapovič exhaust system, a slew of goodies from the Ducati Corse catalog, and, of course, the special livery with the number one Foggy raced the 916 with so many times.

The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will be available in dealerships starting from October 2019 at a price of roughly $50,000 (41,900 euro, according to Ducati).