NEW DUCATI SUPERSPORT 2012

Ducati announced its upcoming new 1198 replacement will be called the 1199 Panigale (pronounced “Pan-ee-gah-lee” for a region of Italy).

The 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale will have its full unveiling at the Nov. 10-13 2011 EICMA show in Milan. Ducati has not revealed any technical data, but the 1199 Panigale is expect to have a “frameless” chassis design with the engine as a stressed part of the chassis, and a dual underslung exhaust. Three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss helped in the development of the Panigale, so it should be no surprise the 1199 will be competing in the 2012 season – but only in the World Superstock 1000 class. Ducati says the 1199 Panigale will not enter the WSBK class until 2013, though there was no mention about whether Ducati will enter a factory team that season or continue to support privateers such as Carlos Checa, who currently leads the 2011 championship on the 1198R.

As for the name, Ducati is breaking from its tradition of adding a name to the superbike instead of only using a number. The name is from the Borgo Panigale area of Ducati’s home in Bologna, Italy, a region locally referred to as “motor valley”.