Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario Unveiled at WDW2016

July 5, 2016

Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario | Video/Photo Gallery

Ducati knows how to celebrate. Just ahead of its 90th Anniversary, which was officially July 4, the Borgo Panigale-based brand unveiled another limited edition motorcycle – the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario.

The 1299 S Anniversario, unveiled during World Ducati Week 2016 at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli,” will rival the Superleggera in terms of exclusivity – only 500 will be produced.

Launched by official Ducati Test Rider and 2007/2011 MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner, along with Ducati CEO Claduio Domenicali, the 1299 S Anniversario arrives with more than just appealing graphics and top-shelf parts. The Pani also arrives with new DTC EVO Traction and Wheelie Control, along with a special track kit, which consists of an Akrapovič Racing exhaust in titanium, billet aluminum mirror block-off plates, a license plate cover for track days, and a battery charger.

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Ducati says “the reason for doing so was simply to reward the tens of thousands of Ducatisti who flocked to WDW2016 with a symbolic “gift”. An exclusive bike for an exclusive, knowledgeable and demanding audience. On Saturday evening – during the presentation of the Ducati riders – this audience enjoyed a wonderful preview of the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario on the stage of the Santamonica stadium in Misano Adriatico, presented to them by non other than Casey Stoner.”

Aesthetically, Ducati borrowed some styling from its race bikes, the white, black and Ducati Red fairings complementing the gold wheels. Also, the top triple clamp and steering head inserts are forged from aluminum alloy, and, as in Ducati tradition, feature the production number (001/500, 002/500, etc.).

The 1299 Panigale S Anniversario features the same chassis geometry as the current World Superbike 1199 Panigale R, the front wheel moved forward 5mm to extend the wheelbase. The bike achieves a lighter weight due to lithium battery, along with carbon-fiber heel guards, rear mudguard and shock absorber cover; this all saves over five lbs. weight.

The 1299 Panigale S Anniversario’s 205-horsepower 1285cc L-twin Superquadro is paired with the latest in Ducati technology, including the new Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO. Both systems maximize performance and active safety on the Italian Superbike.

Speaking of the new EVO electronics, Ducati says: “DTC EVO, based on entirely new software algorithms, becomes both more precise and consistent in its intervention. It interfaces with the 1299’s Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), sensing at all times the bike’s lean angle and using that to judge the required intervention more accurately and so allow an ideal amount of slip for the rear tire (according to the selected DTC EVO level), providing increased precision. And when the system does intervene, reading the lean angle ensures that it does so consistently and repeatably in the same riding conditions.”

In addition to the new DTC and DWC EVO, the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario also features Bosch Cornering ABS, which ensures performance and safety whatever the riding conditions, plus Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) for clutchless up and downshifts on both track and road.

Like all Panigale S models, the Anniversario arrives with a Monocoque frame and Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) with an Öhlins Smart EC; the latter is an event-based control system that processes information about the bike and accordingly uses stepper motors to dynamically adjust the suspension set-up during riding, improving cornering grip, stability, braking, turn-in, handling and riding comfort, Ducati says.

The 1299 Panigale S Anniversario also features TFT (Thin Film Transistor) instrumentation, as well as customizable Ducati Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Wet) that allow full control over all electronic settings.

The 1299 Panigale S Anniversario will be available at Ducati Dealerships starting in the second half of July (country specific); a price was not reported as of this writing.