The Ducati 959 Panigale borrows styling cues from the bigger 1299 Panigale while the engine offers improved torque output while complying with Euro 4 emission norms.
More recently Ducati stopped taking orders for the 899 Panigale globally and here is the reason why. The Italian automaker has officially unveiled the 2016 959 Panigale at the 2015 EICMA Motorcycle Show in Italy incorporating a host of upgrades over its predecessor along with a new out of place exhaust. The 959 sits at the bottom of the Panigale lineup in Ducati’s stable and gets a sharper and more striking design language and a host of technological upgrades while also being Euro 4 compliant.
On the outset, the 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale gets a completely new 955cc V-Twin Superquadro engine, the first of its series to pass the Euro 4 regulations and is tuned to produce 157 BHP of peak power (up from 148 BHP on the 899) and 107 Nm of torque at 9000 RPM, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The engine gets a longer piston stroke as well as a redesigned crankshaft and crank journal lubrication to match the setup. The motor also gets Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating on the piston pins, new cylinder heads and aluminium top covers.
Further, the Ducati 959 Panigale gets a new clutch with a ‘self servo’ mechanism that reduces the effort needed to operate the clutch. The same mechanism also works in reverse as a slipper clutch to prevent back torque locking the rear wheel. Talking about the new shotgun twin exhausts, the rather ugly unit has been included in order to comply with the stringent emission regulations. The 899 Panigale used to come with a neatly integrated underbelly exhaust, which will still be available on the new 959, but only in the US market.
Other upgrades on the 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale include a protective front fairing which is now wider and taller and gets larger air intakes. The update comes from the bigger 1299 Panigale and is a result of feedback from the automaker’s WSBK team. Also new are the rearview mirrors that mimic the ones on the flagship Panigale. In terms of electronic goodies, the supersport is loaded with traction control, quickshifter, engine braking control, RbW, adjustable riding modes and ABS. You also get an optional Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) which is a plug and play data logger. The 959 Panigale is headed to India next year, coming via the CBU route.