The Indian automotive industry has not been doing well since the nation went into a stage of lockdown to fight against the spread of COVID-19. With showrooms remaining closed till 3 May 2020 (this date could be extended), OEMs have started concentrating on online platforms to make sales as well as to host important events such as reveals, launches or announcements.
Ducati India will be doing just that for its upcoming Panigale V2 super sports motorcycle. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer has already teased the V-twin motorcycle on social media, thus hinting to its fast-approaching debut.
Once launched, the Ducati Panigale V2 will be the brand’s first BS6 product as well as one of the first BS6 superbikes on the Indian market. One can expect a starting price of around Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom for the ‘baby V4’.
In a recent development, the deadline to stop BS4 sales was extended from 1 April 2020 to 13 May 2020 in view of the COVID-19 lockdown protocol. However, the extension was announced on a conditional basis and might not prove helpful to struggling dealerships with a huge inventory of unsold BS4 units.
Premium motorcycle brands are gradually updating their products to BS6 specifications amid the lockdown. In this regard, the 2020MY Triumph Street Triple RS is a good example.
The essence of performance. #ComingSoon #DucatiIndia #Ducati pic.twitter.com/Pxbu64Bokh
— Ducati India (@Ducati_India) April 28, 2020
Coming back to the Ducati Panigale V2, the motorcycle borrows its internals from the Panigale 959; the predecessor to the Panigale V4. It employs the same 955cc Superquadro V-twin engine but the output has increased by almost 5bhp and 2Nm to hit 153bhp @ 10,750rpm and 104Nm @ 9,000rpm of torque. On the other hand, Ducati’s 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 motor in its higher sibling churns out 211bhp @ 13,000rpm and 124Nm @ 10,000rpm of torque.
In terms of styling, the Ducati Panigale V2 is slimmer compared to the V4. If this trait is missed, the stubby exhaust system is still an instant give away. Despite sitting relatively lower on the portfolio, the Panigale V2 packs a lot of advanced equipment. This includes a six-axis inertial measurement unit, cornering ABS, active safety and dynamic control, three riding modes (Race, Sport, Street), wheelie control, traction control, bi-directional quickshifter and more. The 4.3-inch TFT instrument console further lets the rider access a range of key functions.
Like most other Ducati models available in India, the Panigale V2 is manufactured at the brand’s facility in Thailand. In global markets, the Ducati Panigale V2 strikes a balance between a middleweight and a litre-class product.
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
