2025 Ducati Panigale V4 R Roars in with MotoGP Aero, Tech Upgrades
The 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 R has been unveiled, with the Italian’s marque’s flagship sportsbike boasting a raft of upgrades and tweaks for MY26.
The most powerful model in Ducati’s range, while the Panigale V4 R’s scorching 215bhp output is unchanged for 2025, there are a number of key changes under the skin.
As the model Ducati homologates as its weapon of choice to compete in the WorldSBK Championship and multiple domestic Superbike racing series’, the updated V4 R therefore draws inspiration from the manufacturer’s successful motorsport division.
Indeed, arguably the most significant developments can be found in aerodynamics where the Panigale V4 R now boasts Corner Sidepods situated low on the fairing.
An innovation Ducati first introduced on its 2021 MotoGP racing machine, the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 R is the first production motorcycle to feature them.
Its signature wings have also been modified to increase downforce by 25 per cent, or the equivalent of 6kg more load on the front tyre at high-speed, while it is fitted with a brand-new Hollow Symmetrical Swingarm too.
Another first is the Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG), which has a neutral below first gear, instead of between first and second, plus Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL) system to prevent accidental neutral shifts.
With a view to improving performance on track, Ducati says it has worked to ensure the latest Panigale V4 R is the ‘best possible technical base for the WorldSBK Championship’ while offering Ducati enthusiasts the ‘best sportsbike on the road’ too.
Tweaks include lighter pistons, a revised crankshaft, redesigned exhaust cams, reconfigured ergonomics and updated Ohlins suspension.
The 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 R will land in dealerships in November 2025.
2025 Ducati Panigale V4 R (MY26) - Main Standard Features
- Colour: Ducati Red
- Desmosedici Stradale R engine, 998 cc
- Maximum power of 218 hp at 15,750 tpm (US VERSION: 208.4 @ 13,250 rpm) (235 hp at 15,750 rpm with racing exhaust accessory, 238.5 hp with racing exhaust and Ducati Corse oil)
- Forged steel crankshaft with increased inertia
- New, more efficient front dynamic air intake
- Lighter (-5.1%) cast aluminium pistons with DLC coating on one segment of the skirt plus oil scraper ring
- Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) with Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL)
- Gun-drilled titanium connecting rods with controlled shot peening
- Titanium intake valves
- Oval throttle bodies with an equivalent diameter of 56 mm, sub-throttle injector and reversed-opening throttle valves
- Dedicated variable-length intake trumpets shortened by 10 mm vs. MY 2024
- Cylinder heads with optimized intake ducts
- Sprintfilter P08 high-permeability air filter
- Kerb weight without fuel: 186.5 kg
- Front Frame
- 17-litre aluminium fuel tank
- Manually adjustable Ohlins NPX 25-30 pressurized fork with 125 mm travel
- Manually adjustable Ohlins TTX36 shock absorber with 316 mm wheelbase
- Manually adjustable Ohlins steering damper
- Forged aluminium wheels
- Lithium battery
- Braking system with Brembo Hypure monobloc calipers
- Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 tyres with 200/60 rear
- MotoGP-derived corner sidepods
- Larger biplane wings (+20 mm vs. Panigale V4 S, +25% downforce at 270 km/h)
- Ducati Vehicle Observer Strategy
- Latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): ABS Cornering with combined braking and Race Brake Control; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO; Ducati Slide Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO; Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Engine Brake Control (EBC)
- Buttons for quick level changes
- New 6.9" full-TFT dashboard with 8:3 aspect ratio
- Riding Modes (Race A, Race B, Sport, Road, Wet)
- Full-LED headlights with DRLs and turn indicators integrated into the headlight*
- Single-seater configuration