Ducati Unveils New V2 Engine Which Will Power The Upcoming Panigale V2

Ducati has pushed the boundaries of engineering with its latest Euro5+ compliant V2 engine, setting a new benchmark in lightweight motorcycle powertrains. At just 54.4 kg with an 890cc displacement, this twin-cylinder engine is almost 9 kg lighter than its Superquadro predecessor and approximately 5.8 kg lighter than both the Testastretta Evoluzione and Scrambler's Desmodromic L-twin engines.

As for the new Ducati V2, the powertrain maintains Ducati's iconic 90-degree V-configuration, a design choice that eliminates the need for a counterbalance shaft while ensuring natural vibration control. This architecture not only preserves the brand's sporting heritage but also contributes to the engine's distinctive sound and power delivery characteristics.

Advanced technology features include the Intake Variable Timing (IVT) system, which provides linear torque delivery across the rev range. The system dynamically adjusts intake valve timing across a 52-degree range through a camshaft-mounted actuator, ensuring responsive throttle control at low speeds while maintaining high rpm performance.

The engine also incorporates several race-derived innovations, including hollow-stem intake valves that reduce timing system weight by 5%. These chrome-plated valves work in conjunction with DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coated finger followers – technology borrowed directly from Ducati's MotoGP Desmosedici – to optimise engine efficiency and durability.

Ducati has implemented a sophisticated lubrication system featuring dual pumps – a main pump and a scavenge pump housed in the connecting rod chamber. This design reduces internal resistance and ensures reliable oil circulation across all operating conditions.

The engine block utilises aluminium cylinder liners, a design choice that enhances structural rigidity while maintaining compact dimensions. For transmission control, the engine will be available with Ducati’s latest Quick Shift Up and Down (DQS) 2.0 system. This second-generation quickshifter uses a simplified gear sensor-based strategy, eliminating the traditional microswitch for more direct rider feedback and improved neutral finding capability.

These engineering innovations will collectively enable Ducati to develop motorcycles that are lighter, more agile, and deliver enhanced performance, further cementing the brand's position at the forefront of motorcycle technology. The upcoming 2025 Panigale V2 has already been spotted being tested, which should make its global debut tomorrow at the 2024 EICMA motorcycle show, especially after the new Panigale V4 was recently launched.