2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 Preview

Ducati has officially unveiled the limited-production, street-legal, and highly sophisticated Superleggera V4. There will only be 500 units built and deliveries are planned to start in June 2020.

If you’re among the lucky few to get one of these beasts for yourself, you can expect “the most powerful and technologically advanced” motorcycle Ducati has ever produced. It’s the first road-legal bike to have a complete frame, subframe, swingarm, and wheels made from carbon fiber. It’s packing carbon fiber bodywork, including 2016 MotoGP season-inspired winglets, and styled after the GP19 MotoGP livery.

It’s powered by the 998cc Stradale R engine, which provides more than 220 hp in its road-going configuration. Take it to the track with the titanium Akrapovič racing kit exhaust, and you’ll pull more than 230 hp. Ducati’s official tester Alessandro Valia took one of these monsters out for some laps at Mugello and came within two seconds of the Panigale V4 R SBK lap time set by Michele Pirro on his way to victory in the 2019 Italian Motor Speed Championship.

Related: 2020 Ducati Panigale V4 S Review First Ride

When you have the race exhaust fitted, you’ll also get access to the RaceGP display that’s based off the instrument panel used by MotoGP riders on the GP20.

The additional use of titanium, magnesium, and aluminum puts the Superleggera V4 at 350 pounds dry. When you pop the race kit on, that weight drops down to 335.5 pounds. It’s also got top-spec Öhlins suspension front and rear, Brembo braking kit, and rolls on Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires.

Electronics include three preprogrammed ride modes—Race A, Race B, and Sport—as well as five additional modes that can be personalized. It also carries a lap timer and Ducati’s latest, greatest electronics suite.

Details abound as well and each bike is individually numbered on the frame, fork yoke, and ignition key.

Beyond the pure, adrenaline-spiking joy of owning and riding the machine itself, purchasers also get the red-carpet treatment from Ducati. That includes access to the SBK Experience, which allows owners to ride the Panigale V4 R that competes in WSBK on a Mugello test track. It also includes an opportunity to take in a truly unique MotoGP experience, getting the unprecedented chance to ride the Desmosedici GP20 used by Andrea Dovizioso and Danillo Petrucci (under heavy Ducati Corse supervision, of course). A custom Dainese D-air-equipped leather suit and color-coordinated Arai helmet will be available for purchase and customization as well to customers, but these two pieces will be sold separately.

Contact your friendly local Ducati dealer for details on price and purchase options if your dream bike has at long last arrived on the scene.