2021 Ducati SuperSport 950 and Panigale V4 SP revealed
Ducati has rolled out the updated 2021 range of the SuperSport 950 and the Panigale. Apart from the Euro 5 emissions update, the 2021 SuperSport 950 gets new styling & equipment inspired by the Panigale V4, while the new Panigale V4 SP borrows heavily from the Ducati Superleggera V4.
By Divyank K. Bansal
Ducati's updated Euro 5-compliant range now also includes the new SuperSport 950 as well as the Panigale V4 SP.
Ducati has rolled out the updated 2021 range of the SuperSport 950 and the Panigale. Starting with the SuperSport 950, Ducati has introduced a host of visual updates on the bike which make it look more similar to the Panigale V4. A new full-LED headlamp, new side air vents a lower fairing that now extends to the side silencer are some of the key design updates.
The 2021 SuperSport 950 continues to be powered by the 937cc twin-cylinder Testastretta 11° motor that, in Euro 5 spec, develops 109bhp and 93Nm of torque. A six-speed gearbox, combined with the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO, is standard across the range. The suspension setup (fully-adjustable) on the 2021 SuperSport 950 consists of 43mm Marzocchi forks at the front and a Sachs rear shock absorber.
Twin 320mm discs, mounted with Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial callipers, manage braking on the front wheel, while a 245mm disc with a Brembo two-piston calliper completes the rear brake setup. The SuperSport 950 S version gets an uprated, fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension setup, a passenger seat cover and the Ducati 'Red Tag' on the wheels.
Apart from the DQS, the electronics suite on the 2021 SuperSport 950 also consists of the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO, Bosch Cornering ABS, and for the first time, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO. The rider aids and settings can be adjusted via a new 4.3-inch TFT display that's also been inspired by the Panigale family's unit.
2021 Panigale V4 SP
First introduced on the Ducati 851, the 'SP' moniker add-on has been revived for the 2021 Panigale range. The new Panigale V4 SP (limited edition), visually set apart by its new and bespoke Matte Black 'Winter Test' livery, borrows heavily from the Superleggera V4 to be a cut above the 2021 Panigale V4 S.
As mentioned above, the Panigale V4 SP features components derived from the Superleggera V4, like the lightweight five-spoke carbon-fibre wheels (1.4kg lighter than the aluminium rims), Brembo Stylema R front brakes and the lighter 520 pitch chain. Further weight-saving has been achieved by using carbon fibre wings and front mudguard. As a result, the Panigale V4 SP weighs 1kg less (173kg) than the V4 S. Also, unlike the V4 S, the Panigale V4 SP is equipped with an STM-EVO SBK dry clutch. Another addition on the Panigale V4 SP comes in the form of adjustable rider footpegs.
The Panigale V4 SP is powered by a Euro 5-compliant 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 motor that develops 211bhp and 124Nm of torque. Like the Panigale V4 S, the SP version also gets Ohlins NIX-30 forks at the front and an Ohlins TTX36 rear shock absorber.
The list of electronic aids on the Panigale V4 SP includes the latest-gen Ducati Traction Control EVO 3 (DTC EVO 3), Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO), Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift up / down EVO 2 (DQS EVO 2), Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC EVO) and Ducati Electronic Suspension EVO (DES EVO).
Further, the 'Race' riding mode on the V4 SP offers two distinct mappings, allowing the rider to have two different configurations to define the best set-up.
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