2018 Ducati 959 Panigale Corse Preview
The last time Ducati released a mid-weight Corse superbike was the final year of the 848 EVO—2013.
The 899 Panigale followed in 2014 and 2015, and the 959 Panigale in 2016 and 2017. But Ducati didn’t release any Corse editions for these models. This changes with the 2018 Ducati 959 Panigale Corse, a race-ready mid-weight directly from the factory in Borgo Panigale.
Following is what you need to know about the 959 Corse.
2. The Ducati 959 Panigale Corse is highlighted by titanium-treated Ohlins NI30 43mm fork, and a TTX36 rear monoshock. The fully adjustable Ohlins setup is complimented by an adjustable Ohlins steering damper.
3. Due to the aluminum fuel tank, lithium battery and titanium exhaust, the 959 Corse weighs 435 lbs. (wet), 5 lbs. lighter than the base 959 Panigale.
4. Like the 848 Corse models before it, the 959 Corse arrives with a special racing color scheme. The 2018 Corse model is inspired by the MotoGP GP17 prototypes piloted by Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso. It also arrives with black wheels.
6. The 959 Corse arrives with a monocoque frame, which uses the engine as a stress member, and a double-sided swingarm.
8. Braking duties also remain the same as the base 959 Panigale. The Corse arrives with Brembo Monobloc M4.32 calipers squeezing dual 320 mm semi-floating discs up front, and a single, two-piston caliper out back squeezing a single 245mm disc.
2018 Ducati 959 Panigale Corse Specs:
Engine
- Type: Superquadro L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled
- Displacement:955 cc
- Bore x Stroke:100 x 60.8 mm
- Compression Ratio: 12.5:1
- Power: 150 Horsepower (Euro4) @ 10,500 rpm
- Torque: 79.2 ft/lbs. @ 9,000 rpm
- Fuel injection: Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full
- Ride-by-Wire elliptical throttle bodies
- Exhaust: Akrapovic built from titanium
- Gearbox: 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS)
- Final drive: Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 43
- Clutch: Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control
- Ducati electronics: DTC, DQS, EBC, Riding Modes, Power Modes, R-b-W
Chassis
- Frame: Monocoque Aluminium
- Wheelbase: 1,431 mm (56.34 in)
- Rake: 24°
- Trail: 96 mm (3.78 in)
- Steering lock (total): 48°
- Front suspension: Fully adjustable Ohlins NI30 43mm fork
- Front wheel travel: 120 mm (4.72 in)
- Front wheel: 10-spoke light alloy 3.50″ x 17″
- Front tire: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 120/70 ZR17
- Rear suspension: Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36. Aluminum double-sided swingarm
- Rear wheel travel: 130 mm (5.12 in)
- Rear wheel: 10 spokes light alloy 5.50” x 17”
- Rear tire: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 180/60 ZR17
- Front brake: 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc M4.32 4-piston calipers, with Bosch
- ABS as standard
- Rear brake: 245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper, with Bosch ABS as standard
Weight & Capacities
- Fuel tank capacity: 17 l – 4.5 gallon (US)
- Dry weight: 176 kg (387.2 lbs.)
- Wet weight: 200 kg (440 lbs.)
- Seat height: 830 mm (32.48 in)
- Max height: 1115 mm (43.9 in)
- Max length: 2056 mm (80.9 in)
- Instrumentation: Full LCD display
- Ducati electronics: DTC, DQS, EBC, Riding Modes, Power Modes, R-b-W
2018 Ducati 959 Panigale Corse Color/Price:
- Special Corse Colors/Price TBD