The 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R Is An Insane 240PS, 181kg Road-legal Motorcycle!

How is Ducati doing this? How is it pushing the Panigale V4’s envelope further and further with every iteration? The 2023 Panigale V4 R boasts a claimed 240.5PS with a rev ceiling of 16,500rpm (insert jaw drop emoji). That’s bonkers!

So how do you improve an engine that’s already bursting at the seams with performance? Simple, if the strict Euro-5 laws have the standard trim feeling a little “neutered” at 217.9PS and 111.3Nm, the ‘Race configuration’ gets you an Akrapovic race exhaust and a specially developed engine oil combination, which Ducati claims bumps the power up to 240.5PS.

When you’re pushing for absolute limits of performance, there comes a point where something fun and exciting begins skirting the edge of lunacy. Firstly, in order to get that 240PS, Ducati has used “gun drilled” titanium connecting rods (a first on a road bike) for improved cooling. It has also thrown in revised pistons and cams for squeezing out as much performance as you can possibly imagine. 

The Italian bikemaker never fails to secure all this relentless performance with top-spec hardware and industry leading electronics and the 2023 Panigale V4 R is no different. The electronics have been souped-up, modulation of power from the four riding modes has been tweaked. And the Engine Brake Control software as well as a Quickshifter system have been tweaked for smoother operations. 

The Ohlins suspension, too, has been revised and the NPX25/30 fork now gets 5mm more travel, while the Ohlins TTX36 monoshock gets a more supple spring for more comfort. Even the pivot points of its adjustable swingarm have been raised and Ducati says these changes make it more agile through corners.

• Check Out Ducati Panigale V4 Price

• Ducati World Premiere 2023 Schedule Announced; 7 Motorcycles To Be Unveiled

• BMW Motorrad’s M 1000 Duo Breaks Cover

The new Panigale V4 R gets a bigger 17-litre brushed aluminum fuel tank among several other weight saving measures inside the engine, bringing the total kerb weight to 172kg (dry). To further improve the bike’s track presence, it also gets a new aerodynamic kit, which should help this mental supersport chase the coattails of its MotoGP counterpart.

Prices for the 2023 Panigale V4 R starts from GBP 38,995 (roughly Rs 36.16 lakh) which is GBP 3,500 (Rs 3.24 lakh) more than the V4 SP2 in the UK. Will we see this in India anytime soon, yes, it's very likely. Maybe some time around the Bharat GP!