Image gallery: 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale

The Ducati 959 Panigale has been launched in India at Rs 14.04 lakh  and is expected to reach showrooms in July this year. The Ducati 959 Panigale replaces the 899 Panigale, which was on sale for Rs 13.70 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). Ducati dealerships are currently accepting bookings for the 959 Panigale.

The Ducati 959 Panigale is powered by a Euro4 compliant 955cc L-twin Superquadro engine which makes 157PS of power and 105.6Nm of torque. Like all Ducati motorcycles, the 959 Panigale also gets the desmodromic distribution system. This system closes valves mechanically which allows cam profiles to have more drive and extreme timing. The benefits of this can also be seen with the Ducati Corse Superbikes and the MotoGP Desmosedici bikes. The Ducati 959 Panigale comes equipped with a slipper clutch which prevents the rear wheel from locking under aggressive down shifting during spirited riding.

The lower swingarm pivot point and consequently longer swingarm gives the Panigale more traction and Ducati promises even better cornering feel and performance

The neat underbelly Ducati 959 Panigale exhaust goes to the US, a non-Euro 4 spec market.

A wider top fairing and larger air intakes Mark the subtle styling updates to the Ducati 959 Panigale. The larger top fairing gives better wind protection

Ducati uses its innovating monocoque frame for the 959 Panigale just like all the other eponymous motorcycles. The engine is a stressed member to which the rear suspension and the steering head mounts. The monocoque forms the airbox apart from its structural function using the bottom of the tank as the airbox cover.

The Ducati 959 Panigale has the latest Bosch 9MP ABS system with three modes and rear lift mitigation

The Ducati 959 Panigale's 90 degree v-twin gives it an impossible narrowness that can enchance the riders sense of control over the motorcycle. Note new footpegs - they're grippier than the 899 and borrowed from the bigger Panigales

See the hint of gold? The Ducati 959 Panigale uses an adjustable, laid-down Sachs shock at the back to complement the adjustable front Showa Big Piston Forks

The Ducati 959 Panigale uses Brembo's M4.32 callipers with Bosch 9MP ABS for power and control.

Looks gorgeous doesn't it? We cannot decide if the Ducati 959 Panigale looks better in white or red. Help us decide by leaving us a comment!

These oft-reviled Ducati 959 Panigale pipes are the result of tighter Euro 4 requiremenrs

The Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS) is standard on the 959 Panigale. It allows the rider to perform clutch-free up shifts without closing the gas

The Ducati 959 Panigale runs sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres. These are grippy and soft tyres but our experience with them in India suggests that they can produce excellent performance and reasonable life with a little bit of careful riding

The Ducati 959 Panigale gets the full suite of electronics including traction control, wheelie control and engine brake control. Ducati's data logging function DDA+ is optional

The Ducati 959 Panigale's new mirrors are better than the 899 and are nearly identical to the bigger Panigales

The riding position is still a committed one but the torquey power delivery should make the Ducati 959 Panigale easier to ride on the street