The last of the Mohicans was a book set in America in the 18th century. It spoke about the end of a tribe of native Americans – the Mohicans – with the onslaught of the Europeans. It appears something similar is to happen with the Panigale! Ducati is set to showcase a Panigale at Laguna Seca on the 7th of July. The same weekend that WSBK will be held there.
Why, you ask?
The teaser video released by Ducati gives a very strong hint. “When the end tells the whole story” it states. Indicating that the Panigale to be revealed on the 7th will probably be the last. This doesn’t come as a big surprise. The fact that Ducati are planning a V4 has been a rather badly kept secret! The V4 Ducati would most probably be revealed at EICMA later this year.
This would be the ‘last hurrah’ for the Panigale. A special edition of the Superleggera? With a racing Laguna Seca colour scheme. Now that would be really nice to see.
The reason that Ducati needs to forego its traditional L-Twin in favour of a V4 is racing. World Superbike to be specific. The regulations of WSBK has been getting more stringent. Stock bikes cannot be modified as much as was possible under the earlier rules. This has forced manufacturers to up their stock superbike game! Ducati is struggling in this regard and has seen the writing on the wall. Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri’s successes aside, the Panigale is unable to cope with the onslaught of the Japanese manufacturers. And if you cannot beat them, you join them!
That is why we expect this to be the last Panigale. Ducati will most likely use a different name for their new range of motorcycles. The new bikes will not be raced in WSBK in 2018, as the Italian manufacturer prefers to have a year of development in the superstock series, before moving it up.
On the 7th of July 2017, we will get to see the last of the Panigales. The native American tribes had to reinvent themselves to survive because of the Europeans. It is fitting that Ducati will need to reinvent their flagship motorcycle to compete against the Japanese!
