Photographer Nipun Srivastava was invited on-board the first-ever track day of this track-ready DUCATI PANIGALE V4, piloted by (Owner) Ashutosh Mahadik and boy, what a pleasure it was for him to be there in the thick of it with the V4, going toe for toe in the blistering heat, humidity and uncertain weather!
‘A new opera.’
That’s how Ducati opens its marketing pitch for the Panigale V4. With the Akrapovic full-system performance exhaust on this particular unit, there sure were a whole new set of notes ringing around the Buddh International Circuit! Spine tingling sound is one thing, the 1-to-1 power to weight ratio has this machine belting out over 225 BHP! To see this symphony in motion is to see the pinnacle of the Ducati Design team’s strongest performance yet.
The beauty of this machine is in its handling. Leave alone its 1,103cc motor churning out 226hp! The counter rotating crankshaft gives such brilliant, planted feedback to the rider; it’s unbelievable! Kudos to Ducati for having broken all bounds in engineering and literally hitting the ball out of the park against its competition!.
That’s what the owner, Ashutosh, has to say about the motorcycle after his first few track sessions on the Panigale V4.
The new range-toppers for Ducati’s supersport line of motorcycles, the Panigale V4, V4S and the V4 Speciale replace the older Panigale 1299. They say it’s the closest you can get to a MotoGP motorcycle for your money. Well, from the track-side production pillboxes on the Buddh International Circuit, Photographer Nipun Srivastava could only nod in agreement as he saw the V4 zip by with its Akrapovics screaming in automotive ecstasy.
The Italians consistently create designs which make my heart sing, whether it is their Supersports, Scramblers or even the Multistradas. They know exactly how to take a great design and elevate it to the next level. Every. Single. Time. No other brand has me looking at their new launches with so much attention. I saw the Desert Sled – fell in love, saw the 959 – fell in love and now this sublime piece of V4 candy.
Seems like all these Ducatis have Nipun swooning with envy!
Great aesthetics aside, the mechanical aspects of this Ducati and its power-plant are equally overwhelming. Here’s a list of features on what Ducati calls the: DESMOSEDICI STRADALE ENGINE (pronounced: dez-mo-see-dee-chee) Twin Pulse Firing Order | Rearward Rotating Crankshaft | A New Desmodromic System |Variable Intake System | A GP Derived Intake/Combustion Chambers.
Impressed yet?
To see more of their epic automotive photography, visit www.theroadtonirvana.com. Story and images originally posted on www.theroadtonirvana.com. All images shot and produced by Nipun Srivastava.
