Ducati Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 Launched In India

If you have deep pockets, then you need to hurry up as this is a limited production offering 

• The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 is the most expensive Panigale V4 in India right now. 
• Lot number 5 will be auctioned (Carlin Dunne’s bike number) for charity. 
• Deliveries of the special edition Panigale V4 will begin in October.

Only a few bike makers enjoy the fan following like Ducati. For decades, the Italian marque has been making some of the most incredible machines that are not only bedroom posters but have also won World Superbike Championships. One such Ducati is the iconic 916. And to commemorate its 25th-anniversary, Ducati has launched a special-edition Panigale V4 called the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 in India. 

Priced at Rs 54.9 lakh (ex-showroom), the special-edition Panigale V4 commands a premium of more than Rs 32 lakh over the standard V4, which is priced at Rs 22.7 lakh (ex-showroom). Just to put things into perspective, the insane Panigale V4 R retails at Rs 51.87 lakh, making the special edition motorcycle the most expensive Panigale V4 on sale in India! 

Apart from the special livery, it features forged magnesium wheels, a dry clutch and a titanium Akrapovic exhaust. While most of the mechanical parts have been carried forward from the V4 S variant, the special edition motorcycle features the same frame as the V4 R. Only 500 units will be allotted worldwide, so you better hurry up!

Here’s the official press release from the company:

Panigale V4 25°Anniversario 916: the Ducati tribute to the bike that changed Superbike history

Ducati presents a special limited-edition bike - just 500 will be built - that is destined for nothing less that cult status

Special anniversary proceedings headed by none other than "King" Carl Fogarty himself during SBK race weekend in the USA

Bike number 5 is to be auctioned, with proceeds going to a fund-raising effort in memory of Carlin Dunne

The bike is priced at INR 54,90,000 (Ex-showroom) in India

New Delhi, 15 July 2019 – In 2019 a quarter of a century will have elapsed since the Ducati 916 arrived on the global stage, forever changing the Superbike world. Born from Massimo Tamburini’s sketches, this bike has revolutionized the world of motorcycle design and has made fans fall in love all over the planet. Incredibly innovative in its style, elegance, lightweight and compactness, by many it’s believed to be the sexiest and most iconic bike ever built.

The Ducati 916 wasn't just a beautiful bike and an enormous sales success. It also won World Superbike championships: the 916 SBK was a force to be reckoned with even as it made its debut in 1994, and the following years saw it win 120 races, 8 constructors' titles and 6 riders' titles, four of them with Carl Fogarty. The Englishman has won 55 races with Ducati, of wich 43 riding a Ducati 916 SBK and 996 SBK. "King Carl" and the 916 remain the most successful "couple" in Ducati SBK history.

Ducati has decided to celebrate this anniversary by building a special 916-dedicated version of the Panigale V4. Hence the genesis of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916: a unique limited-edition bike of only 500 pieces, designed to let all true Ducatisti re-live the spirit of the 916.

The "25° Anniversario 916" is built on the mechanics of the Panigale V4 S. This has been upgraded with racing content from the Panigale V4 R such as the Front Frame, designed to Ducati Corse specifications. The look of the bike combines a special livery with forged magnesium wheels, a titanium type-approved Akrapovic exhaust and a long list of Ducati Performance components.

For its world-first preview, Ducati chose round nine of the Superbike World Championship, taking place this weekend at Laguna Seca (California, USA). Here, Francesco Milicia (VP Global Sales & After Sales Director Ducati Motor Holding), Jason Chinnock (CEO Ducati North America) and Carl Fogarty unveiled the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916.

The presentation of the bike was also an occasion of remembrance, honouring Californian Carlin Dunne, the Spider Grips Ducati team rider who recently died at Pikes Peak. Jason Chinnock announced Ducati's decision to remove the number 5 from selling, the same number that Dunne used to race with. The bike will be auctioned, with proceeds going to a fund-raising effort aimed at providing Carlin's mother with support.

Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India said, "The Ducati 916 is one of the most iconic motorcycles to have come out of the Borgo Panigale factory and it redefined design and performance at its time. At Ducati, we’re very proud of our heritage and what better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 916 than to produce an ultra-exclusive version of the Panigale V4, recognizing our present and the past. The Panigale V4 25° Anniversary 916 is coming to India and I’m sure bike enthusiasts and collectors alike will appreciate its uniqueness."

"I’m thrilled to be here at this event," stated Carl Fogarty after riding the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 onto the stage at Pebble Beach. "The Ducati 916 gave me some fantastic, unforgettable moments. It played a starring role in my career and in the history of the World Superbike Championship. On the wider motorcycling scene, it set a whole new standard of style and performance. I’m proud to have played a pivotal role in that success story, and equally proud to be here today and celebrate this important anniversary by officially unveiling this breath-taking bike."

Starting from Saturday morning, the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will go on display at Ducati Island (the space Ducati traditionally sets aside for its fans during American races).

The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will arrive in dealerships starting from October 2019 at a price of INR 54,90,000 Ex-showroom (price is country specific)