The impressive theatre presentation of Ducati’s 2012 models also gave Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati Motor Holding, the opportunity to announce the positive business performance of the Bologna-based company. In a market challenged by economy difficulties, Ducati has continued to increase its market share, production volumes and global sales, confirming their solid position and underlining the efficient and well organised business structure that will now serve the company in the coming years.
“It is the hard work of all the men and women at Ducati that has resulted in the positive results that I present today and it validates the strategy we followed during the period 2007-2011,” said Gabriele Del Torchio during the conference. “Thanks to our focus on product development, increased investment and our work to maintain the desirability of our brand around the world, I take great satisfaction in announcing that 2011 has been the most successful year in the history of Ducati.
“Sales of approximately 42,000 motorcycles have generated revenues of €480m, a 20% increase over the previous year and just reward for our highly innovative products. It gives us the confidence to believe in the pillars of our strategy and to continue on our ‘mission’ to be specialist leaders of the sportbike segment by further developing innovative and class-leading motorcycles.
“All of this has enabled us to present the incredible new 1199 Panigale, the new benchmark in the sportbike arena. Without doubt, this has been the most ambitious project in Ducati’s history and underlines our engineering excellence and ‘product emotion’, an aspect of our brand which, in such a competitive market place, has become more important than ever. This motorcycle represents pure Italian style, the reference point for performance and a safety-enhanced, confidence-inspiring experience for our customers on road and track.
“We are particularly proud to have created a special ‘Tricolore’ version of this new motorcycle, in the red, white and green of Italy. What better occasion to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our national flag and underline our role and responsibility as ambassadors of the title ‘made in Italy’, than with a product of such style and technical excellence.”
Following Mr.Del Torchio’s announcement, Ducati Motor Holding General Manager, Claudio Domenicali, proceeded to release the details of the 2012 models with particular focus on the 1199 Panigale.
Indeed, the 2012 Ducati Superbike family marks the official introduction of the ground-breaking 1199 Panigale, 1199 Panigale S and flagship 1199 Panigale S Tricolore and opens a new chapter in the company’s iconic Superbike history. Available early in 2012, Ducati’s new generation Superbike, goes beyond the barriers of motorcycle design and engineering to set the most extreme benchmark ever and the direction for future sport bikes. Developed in the red-hot environment of racing and designed to raise the performance bar to its highest, the 1199 Panigale uses innovative Ducati Corse-derived solutions to make World Championship level technology available to everyone.
The most high tech, most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet is now an integral part of an innovative monocoque chassis that combine to deliver an astonishing 195hp from 164kg (361.5lb) of futuristic Italian thoroughbred. The highest production motorcycle power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios in the world are fitting trophies for the incredible results that Ducati have achieved. Bred for the track and trained for the road, the new 1199 Panigale is a true revolution of the species destined to influence the entire sportsbike environment.
With the click of a button, Ducati’s Riding Mode concept delivers performance with enhanced rider confidence by combining seven class-leading technologies. The latest-generation sports ABS system, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), Ducati Quick-Shift (DQS), Ducati’s new race-derived Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW) are now all programmed into seamless, electronic rider assistance. Even the full colour Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display changes to suit the rider’s environment.
State-of-the-art from the ground-up and melding latest technologies with exciting new family features, the 1199 Panigale is totally “Ducati” in every respect. Its no-compromise approach to sport design and stylish attention to incredibly fine detail presents authentic Italian performance at its purist. The highly successful 848EVO and new for 2012, 848EVO Corse Special Edition with enhanced electronics, suspension and stunning Ducati Corse livery, complete an incredible 2012 Ducati Superbike range.
2012 sees the excellent new Streetfighter 848 take its place alongside the awesome firepower of the Streetfighter S to broaden the stylish and exciting, high-performance naked family. The new 848 fighter is dressed in red with a red frame for Ducati traditionalists, while yellow makes a comeback and the stunning dark stealth scheme underlines the Streetfighter’s aggressive image. The Streetfighter S comes to the fight in Ducati red and the brand new for 2012 “race titanium matte”, both schemes with red frames and black wheels.
The innovative Ducati Diavel introduces a new Cromo model for 2012, in addition to the Diavel AMG Special Edition, recently unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First introduced to an excited public at the 2010 Milan International Motorcycle Show, the Ducati Diavel went on to amaze motorcyclists the world over, collecting awards along the way and becoming one of Ducati’s top selling models. For 2012, the ground-breaking Ducati is available in four exciting versions. The standard Diavel, and the Diavel Carbon – with a character-forming mix of aesthetic and performance components – now stand alongside the brand new and stunning Diavel Cromo and the exclusive Diavel AMG Special Edition.
The press conference for Ducati’s 2012 model range also presented an opportunity for the company to celebrate the winning of the Riders’ and Manufacturer’s titles in the 2011 World Superbike Championship with Carlos Checa and Riders’ and Manufacturers’ titles in the 2011 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup with Davide Giugliano. Both riders rode Team Althea Racing Ducati 1198s to their respective victories and both bikes will be proudly shown on the Ducati stand at EICMA 2011.
The entire 2012 Ducati motorcycle range in addition to new accessory and apparel collections will be on show at EICMA 2011 in Milan on stand G64 of hall 18 from 10-13 November.
The 1199 Panigale range will be available in UK showrooms at the end March and will be priced at £14,995 for the 1199 Panigale, £15,750 for the 1199 Panigale ABS, £19,750 for the 1199 Panigale S ABS and £23,495 for the 1199 Panigale S Tricolore. The 848 EVO Corse will be £11,995 and is expected to be in dealerships in January, while the new Diavel Cromo at £15,295 arrives in January.
