You can forgive the Ducati guys for getting a bit hyped up - the centre-piece of their stand at the EICMA motorcycle expo in Milan, which opens to the public today (November 10), is the company's most ambitious streetbike yet, a big twin that, if Ducati's claims are to be believed, is going to make litre-class four-cylinder superbikes look silly.
And this on top of the most successful year in Ducati history, with 42 000 motorcycles sold and an increased market share in difficult economic conditions.
Ducati's claims for the all-new Superquadro engine of 143kW at 10 750 revs and 132Nm at 9000rpm (making it the most powerful production twin yet) are matched by a quoted dry weight of just 164kg - ready to go, with a full tank of fuel, the 1199 Panigale reportedly tips the scale at just 188kg.
That's a power-to weight ratio of 760kW/ton (comparable to a Formula One car!) on a street-legal motorcycle.
It's housed in an aluminium monocoque frame (Ducati's first) with a suite of electronic rider aids that includes a 'fly-by-wire' electronic throttle, a new sports anti-lock braking system, traction control, adaptive electronic suspension, an electronic quick-shifter, and a race-derived engine braking control (electronic valve lifter) that controls rear-wheel slides on the overrun.
Even the colour liquid-crystal instrument panel display changes to suit the rider's environment.
The 1199 Panigale (the name derives from Borgo Panigale, the Bologna suburb that is home to Ducati) will be available in three variants: the standard Panigale, which will sell in Europe for €13 400 (R145 000), the Panigale S at €17 800 (R195 000) and the Panigale S Tricolore, in a special red, white and green livery to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Italian flag in 2012, which will cost €20 800 (R226 500) in Europe.
The Ducati 1199 Panigale will be released in South Africa towards the end of the first quarter of 2012; prices, as always, when they get here..
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 1198 liquid-cooled L-Twin.
Bore x stroke: 112 x 60.8mm.
Valvegear: DOHC with four desmodromic overhead valves per cylinder.
Power: 143kW at 10 750rpm.
Torque: 133Nm at 9000rpm.
Induction: Electronic fuel-injection with four 67.5mm throttle bodies.
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance.
Starting: Electric.
Clutch: Hydraulically actuated multiplate wet clutch.
Transmission: Six-speed constant-mesh gearbox with final drive by chain.
Front Suspension: 50mm Marzocchi inverted cartridge forks with hard-anodised aluminium sliders, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.
Rear Suspension: Adjustable linkage with Sachs gas-charged monoshock adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping, and ride height.
Front brakes: Dual 330mm semi-floating discs with Brembo radial-mount four-pot opposed-piston callipers and optional ABS.
Rear brake: 245mm disc with twin-piston floating calliper and optional ABS.
Kerb weight: 188kg.
Fuel tank: 17 litres.