2022 Ducati Panigale V4 launched in India at Rs 26.49 lakh

Ducati India has its flagship superbike, the Panigale V4, in the country. Prices start from Rs 26.49 lakh for the standard V4, rise to Rs 28.40 lakh for the 'S' model, and peak at a colossal Rs 40.99 lakh for the top-spec SP2 model (all prices, ex-showroom, India).

The 2022 Panigale V4 comes up with updated aerodynamics, ergonomics, engine, chassis and electronics. Just by looking at the recently launched bike you will see that it retains the overall design theme of last year's bike with the same twin-pod headlight assembly along with the sleek underbelly exhaust, and that sick single-sided swingarm. However, the MY23 bike gets redesigned tank and seat that are said to aid rider performance and minimise fatigue, along with new winglets that are slightly smaller and thinner than before, with Ducati claiming that they provide close to 37kg of downforce at 300kmph - definitely a stat that we'd love to test out.

Shell out for the top-spec SP2 model and you can opt for the stealthier blacked-out Winter Test Livery on your Panigale V4 which includes matte carbon finish with racy red accents, a billet aluminium steering system with the bike's name and number, a rider seat crafted from special materials and a V4 SP2 logo, and exposed brushed aluminium tank. This Ducati will also include several weight-saving elements including Marchesini forged wheels that are 0.9 kg lighter than what's on the V4 S, and a ton of carbon fibre bits like wings, heel guards, fenders, and yes, let's not forget the STM-EVO SBK nine-disc dry clutch that's lifted straight of the factory Ducati WSBK competition bike.

The Panigale V4 still continues to be powered by the 1,103cc, liquid-cooled, V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine. Hooked up to a six-speed gearbox, the mill spits out the same amount of power as before - 218PS at 13,000rpm and 123.6Nm at 9,500rpm, but the rear rations of first, second and sixth have been lengthened to bump up top speed. As you would expect, the electronic kit has gotten updates for this model year. The kitchen sink of rider aids include four power modes (Full, High, Medium, and Low), Bosch cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, slide control, engine brake control, power launch, bi-directional quick shifter, and auto tyre calibration.

The suspension setup on the standard Panigale V4 includes a 43mm fully-adjustable Showa BPF front fork and a fully-adjustable Sachs rear mono-shock. The higher spec S and the SP2 variants, get new Ohlins NPX 25/30 front fork and rear mono-shock â€" both fully and electronically adjustable, of course. Baking duties are handled by twin 330mm discs up front and a single 245mm rotor with a two-piston calliper at the back.