‘There is no access stage Ferrari’ – Ducati’s Head of Design reasserts the logo’s top rate standing

Printed: 24 November 2022

Up to date: 24 November 2022

Ducati were extremely busy this yr. Now not best did they dominate the MotoGP and International Superbike championships, however they’ve additionally been methodically drip-feeding new bikes into their vary because the center of September.

From 3 new Scrambler 800s, to a 166.3bhp Diavel V4, or even a brand new 237.2bhp Panigale V4 R – designed to blast Bautista to a 2nd successive WSB crown in 2023 – the Italian manufacturing facility lifted the lid on a complete of six new motorcycles and type updates.

To talk about the brand new additions, MCN sat down with the company’s Head of Design, Andrea Ferraresi, on the Milan display, who showed Ducati doesn’t plan to make possession any further reasonably priced any time quickly…

“For relatively a couple of years we’ve had this pattern of introducing a large selection of [motorcycles] consistent with yr,” stated Ferraresi. “We stay shifting between introducing what we name ‘targeted merchandise’, so as an example the V4 R or the Diavel, after which introducing one thing new to magnify our target market of passionate consumers.”

Sticking with the Diavel V4, the £23,595 muscle cruiser arrived in past due October – ditching the well-worn 1262cc V-twin motor of the outgoing Diavel 1260 and dropping a claimed 13kg.

The suspension was once revised, as was once the using place, however conspicuous via their absence have been the semi-active springs and radar cruise keep watch over – each that includes somewhere else within the vary and anticipated on a motorcycle of this ticket.

When requested if this would seem in a destiny S model, Ferraresi defined: “These days, it’s no longer forecast to have an S type, however in fact we can see and come to a decision in response to the luck of the motorcycle.

What is going to seem within the coming years even though are new Scrambler fashions, with Ducati successfully resetting the 800 vary for 2023 – stripping again to 3 machines and quietly disposing of the likes of the Barren region Sled and City Motard from the line-up.  

“At the earlier era, we began with a undeniable selection of variations after which we changed a few of these with different variations,” the Ducati guy stated. “These days we expect that is sufficient for a unconditionally new product after which sooner or later we can upload or substitute some needless to say, as a result of that is our historical past.”

Following the adjustments to their vary, Ducati’s most cost-effective type now sits with the £9995 Scrambler Icon – leaving some riders priced out of proudly owning a slice of the Italian emblem.

When requested if the corporate would take strides to draw a much broader target market sooner or later with extra reasonably priced steel, Ferraresi added: “In reality no, as a result of we need to transfer the logo up extra. We’re already a top rate emblem, and we’re already at the best of the top rate phase.

“We need to keep there and lift a bit of. To do that, one of the vital necessary issues is to stay the access worth into the variability at a undeniable stage. We need to stay this worth no longer not up to the Monster.”

He persisted: “What to do with the younger riders? Now we have the Scramblers that have a extra reasonably priced worth. However there’s no access Ferrari, or access Porsche, so that you get started with different manufacturers and bear in mind Ducati after which once you’ll be able to, you purchase a Ducati.”

Go back of the Desmo?

Again in 2007, Ducati shocked efficiency motorcycle fanatics with their Desmosedici RR – a 989cc, 200bhp MotoGP copy like not anything else available on the market. Its unlock coincided with the company’s ultimate MotoGP international championship victory with Casey Stoner.

When requested whether or not they would believe development every other one to commemorate Pecco Bagnaia’s 2022 crown, Andrea Ferraresi stated: “The speculation could be very interesting, so who is aware of. This isn’t one thing that we need to forecast and plan. It will be great.” I assume we’ll must stay dreaming!