Ducati has pulled the covers off the 2026 Panigale V4 R, the most extreme road-legal superbike ever to leave Borgo Panigale. Born straight from MotoGP and WorldSBK expertise, this new generation isn’t just an update – it’s Ducati’s clearest attempt yet to blur the line between race bike and road machine.
MotoGP DNA, Street Legal
Carrying forward a legacy that began with the 996R in 2001, the Panigale V4 R is Ducati’s ultimate homologation special. Produced in numbered series, each bike proudly wears its identity on the steering plate. Built in close collaboration with Ducati Corse, the 2026 V4 R introduces technologies never before seen on a road-approved motorcycle, including MotoGP-inspired Corner Sidepods and the Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) with Ducati Neutral Lock.
Engineered for Pure Speed
At its heat sits the 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine, a direct descendant of Ducati’s MotoGP powerplant. The numbers are staggering – 218 hp at 15,500 rpm in Euro5+ trim, stretching to a mind-bending 235 hp (239 hp with race oil) when paired with the racing exhaust. Top speed? 330.6 km/h, a figure that until yesterday belonged strictly to MotoGP machines.
The engine revs to an astonishing 16,500 rpm in sixth gear, with lighter pistons, a reworked crankshaft, and optimized intake-exhaust profiles that deliver more torque in the midrange without sacrificing peak power. In short – this thing is engineered to live on the redline.
Aerodynamics That Stick
Ducati didn’t stop at power. The V4 R debuts Corner Sidepods, creating a ground effect that pins the bike to the tarmac at extreme lean angles. Combine that with enlarged aero wings delivering 6 kg of downforce at 300 km/h, and you get stability and precision that makes lap times tumble.
Built Like a Racebike
The chassis comes straight from WorldSBK learnings – a revised Front Frame, Hollow Symmetrical Swingarm, and full Öhlins suspension setup including a new SD20 steering damper. Riders can fine-tune the bike endlessly, from swingarm pivot height to rear suspension geometry, making it a true race-ready platform.
Stopping power is handled by Brembo Hypure calipers with 330 mm discs, delivering relentless braking force lap after lap.
Smarter Electronics
Ducati’s electronics suite evolves with Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO), offering MotoGP-level precision in brake control, traction management, and engine braking. The 6.9-inch TFT dash includes a special “Grip Meter” track display, visually showing available tyre grip in real time – pure race engineer tech at your fingertips.
Availability
The 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R will hit European dealerships in November 2025, followed by the US and global markets from December. It’s more than a motorcycle – it’s a MotoGP experience wrapped in road-legal fairings.
Ducati hasn’t just updated the Panigale – they’ve unleashed a street-legal missile that carries MotoGP technology to riders worldwide. With performance figures that were once racing exclusives, the new V4 R cements itself as the pinnacle of superbikes.
