Fancy-pants anniversary edition Panigale comes with rear-wheel-steering traction control. Eek.
We’re all getting old. But every now and again something crops up which throws that into even-sharper relief. Like this – a super-trick special edition Ducati, with the latest traction control setup that promises to let mere mortals rear-wheel-steer their way about, like a MotoGP alien.
Okay, the press release doesn’t quite say that. But the, it sort of does? I’m going to quote from the press release now:
When set at level “1” DTC EVO adds a new functionality, allowing a rider to control the bike at a level formerly available to only the most advanced riders and professional racers. While the bike is leaned over in a turn, the rider can use the throttle to dial-in additional rear-wheel slip beyond the “normal” level of intervention – thus further pivoting the motorcycle around its front wheel, and closing the trajectory of the turn. DTC EVO in level 1 allows this pivot to occur, effectively allowing rear-wheel steering with active traction control.
Wow. So, not only will you be rear-wheel steering your way down to Lidl for some milk on a Sunday morning, you’ll also be basking in the knowledge that your Panigale is one of just 500 to be made, and reminded of that by the fancy paint and the laser-engraved serial numbers. Reading deeper into the PR, the new traction control uses the Bosch IMU inertial measuring unit to work out pitch, yaw and roll, and the new system has control of the throttle butterflies as well as spark advance and fuel injection, so in theory, the computer will have even more control than even the best rider, eventually.
The question remains though: will scum like us (speaking for myself here) REALLY be able to spin up the back and drift through bends like Casey Stoner? Can we get our money back if not? Questions, questions…
Witchcraft traction control aside, you also get a slew of special weight-saving bits ‘n bobs, including lightweight carbonio bodywork, a lithium battery, which save 2.5kg. The suspension is full-bore Öhlins semi-active electronic shizzle, and the steering head has adjustable inserts so you can tweak the head angle, thus ensuring the perfect setup for even faster rear-wheel-steering milk-hunting trips to Lidl. Bonus content includes a trackday kit: mirror and number plate block-off plates, titanium Akrapovic race exhaust and a battery charger for the wee small lithium beastie.
The price? A not-horrendous £24k, ish. Get in touch with your local Ducati dealer now and get your name down!
