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Ducati Denies the Upcoming V4 Engine and Perimeter Alu Frame, But...

Several Italian motorcycle media were informed that Ducati denies the rumors of switching over to a V4 engine and a completely different frame architecture. Despite this official denial, we suspect that Ducati is not exactly telling the truth.
Older Ducati Desmosedici RR machine 1 photo
Photo: Ducati
Late in August we told you about one of the very interesting rumors in the Italian motorcycle media that saw Ducati preparing to make a very important move in the superbike segment.

Sources allegedly being in the know claimed that Ducati was planning to ditch the current Superquadro engine in their superbikes, replacing it with a completely new V4 power plant. Even more, Borgo Panigale was rumored to ditch the monocoque frame in favor of a more traditional aproach employing a perimeter frame made from aluminium.

Why we believe that Ducati is not telling the truth

It looks like the rumors originate from someone who actually works at Ducati. This unidentified person appears to be one of the inside sources of theracemode, the fellows that initially surfaced the whole story. The same media outlet says that they tend to trust the guy, especially as he or she also informed about the Superleggera project and all the leaked info proved to be true.

Now, the same source says that Ducati has pretty good reasons to deny such plans, as the Panigale 1199R has finally become more competitive in road racing series, and the 1299 machines have been introduced.

That is, Borgo Panigale admitting such a dramatic change would render its current superbike line-up rather obsolete, causing customers who, otherwise, would maybe fork out the cash for a new bike this year or in 2016, to wait until 2017 or 2018 and get the new beasts.

Under such circumstances, denying that a V4, aluminium perimeter-framed sport bike would be in the works looks like the only way to go. However, until we get more info in this matter, it looks like Ducati is preparing to launch a hefty 2016 line-up at EICMA. We'll be in Milan in November so keep your browsers open.
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