Company unveils lightest two‑cylinder engine for top performance
How can you achieve better performance? By increasing power or reducing weight. Ducati understands this well, as demonstrated by Borgo Panigale's new V2 engine. It is the lightest two-cylinder engine in the manufacturer's history, and the weight reduction process was so effective that it's no wonder the Italians are so proud of it.
When new engines are launched, we usually hear about maximum power or torque, and the distribution of the latter. Of course, these are extremely important parameters, but manufacturers rarely highlight weight as the most important feature of a new unit. Let's not forget that in the case of a motorcycle, often weighing well below 200 kilograms, the engine accounts for a significant part of this value.
It is precisely the lightness of the entire motorcycle that affects its handling characteristics, and engineers are in a constant battle with the kilograms. That's why Ducati has made significant efforts in designing the new V2 engine, which weighs 54 kilograms. For comparison, the Desmodue in the Scrambler is 6 kilograms heavier, the Testastretta Evoluzione weighs 6 kilograms more, and the Superquadro 955 is a substantial 9 kilograms heavier.
The new V2, with a 900 cubic centimetre displacement, will be installed in various motorcycles, which means Ducati has prepared two versions with different characteristics—one generates 120 hp, and the other 115 hp (in both cases at 10,750 RPM). As for torque, it is 94 Nm or 92 Nm at 8,250 RPM. However, the different torque curve will be most important here. The RPM limit in fifth and sixth gear is 11,350 RPM.
The new engine features variable timing, allowing over 70 per cent of the maximum torque to be available at just 3,000 RPM, and between 3,500 and 11,000 RPM, this value does not fall below 80 per cent. Naturally, the new V2 engine complies with the Euro5+ standard. Additionally, the engine will be available in a reduced power version, adapted for the A2 category.
The bore and stroke are 96 millimetres and 61 millimetres, respectively, giving a bore/stroke ratio of 1.56, which is an intermediate value between the Testastretta and Superquadro engines. This allows it to generate higher maximum power than the former while being more user-friendly in everyday use than the sporty Superquadro unit.
Furthermore, the 115-hp version will be equipped with a larger alternator, providing more power for onboard devices. This likely means this unit will be primarily used in the Multistrada V2.
