Is the new Panigale V4 the most anticipated mass-produced bike in recent times" Probably, although pics have leaked onto the interwebs and its samey curves aren?t to everyone?s taste. Unless, of course, this is the world?s most elaborate hoax, and Ducati will astound us with something all-new in November when the Panigale V4 is finally (and officially) released.

After years of persisting with V-twin (or L-twin or whatever) technology, Ducati has finally surrendered and furnished the Panigale with a four-pot engine. And not just any old four-pot – it?s a techno-laden V4 that sounds just like Dovi?s. Obviously, the configuration is nothing new to Ducati, after 14 years of MotoGP competition using the Desmosedici and producing the limited edition, road-legal D16RR. As predicted, the Desmosedici Stradale uses the fabled Desmodromic system (which no doubt gives Bologna?s V4 its naughty soundtrack, along with twin pulse ignition) but the big news is Ducati?s claim of ?exceeding 210bhp at 13,000rpm? ? owing to the 90° motor?s 1,103cc capacity. A strange one, eh" Then again, Ducati is no stranger to pushing boundaries, and this means we?ll see a Panigale V4 R that abides to 1000cc racing regs. Using the MotoGP engine rules, the Desmosedici Stradale uses an 81mm bore (the maximum limit permitted in MotoGP) and it?s also the biggest bore in the supersport segment.
Other interesting snippets from the press guff include a counter-rotating crank, which will supply a ...