It wouldn’t be a new bike show season without Ducati revealing some spicy new performance models, and this year both the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 are getting the full SP treatment – launched in a stealthy black and red livery with additional performance parts, uprated aero, and more.
Starting with the Panigale superbike, it will be powered by a version of the brand’s 1103cc V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine already found in the Panigale V4S – with the rev limiter now raised by 500rpm, longer final gearing, and internal revisions to reduce mechanical friction.
The result is a claimed 215bhp at 13,500rpm and 89lb.ft of torque at 11,000rpm, with lighter carbon fibre wheels (approved for pillions), a dry clutch, and Ducati Racing Gearbox with neutral below first gear all coming onboard following development in the World Superbike championship.
Alongside this comes a billet-machined steering head with a unique serial number, a brushed aluminium fuel tank, and a new aerodynamics package with cornering sidepods at the base of the side fairings and larger front wings. Together, Ducati are promising a 25% increase in vertical load at 167mph (270km/h) compared with the standard Panigale V4.
Available from March 2027, an additional 10.8bhp can be unlocked via a track-only Akrapovič exhaust, which sheds a claimed 6.6kg to bring the kerb weight down to 180.4kg minus its 17 litres of fuel.
Instant suspension adjustments come courtesy of an electronic Öhlins Smart EC3 system at both ends, with an adjustable rear shock linkage rod taken from the Panigale V4R meaning ride height adjustments are possible, separate from spring preload. The riding position can also be tailored to suit, thanks to adjustable billet aluminium footpegs with carbon-fibre heel guards.
Sharing a similarly stealthy livery is the new Streetfighter V4 SP, which also features carbon wheels, a brushed aluminium tank, and unique numbering – this time laser engraved onto the blacked-out upright handlebars.
As above, there are adjustable footpegs, with the split five-spoke rims claimed to cut 950 grams from the bike’s unsprung weight – said to reduce the moment of inertia by 12% at the front end and 19% at the back.
Both bikes get an advanced set of lean-sensitive electronics too, as well as blanking plates to remove road-going paraphernalia when riding on track days.
Also set to arrive next March, the ballistic upright makes use of the same 1103cc V4 engine – this time producing a claimed 211bhp at 13,500rpm and 88.2lb.ft of torque at 11,250rpm.
Although slightly down on the fully faired Panigale, it’s more than enough (arguably too much) power for a performance naked, and you’ll need big neck muscles to get the most from it. Interestingly, it makes peak torque at higher revs than the fully faired variant.
Helping to keep the front end sucked to the floor are unique carbon fibre winglets, with the front and rear mudguards also finished in the material to add to the exclusivity. Braking power is then assisted by a Brembo MCS 19.21 front master cylinder with a remote adjuster that works in tandem with the front Brembo Hypure calipers.
There’s a billet aluminium dry clutch too; however, it foregoes the inclusion of the racing gearbox found on its Panigale sibling.
It does, however, also benefit from electronically adjusted Öhlins at both ends, in the form of NIX 30 forks and a TTX 36 rear shock, plus a steering damper (also found on the standard Streetfighter V4 S) – with…