Revealed - the amazing new Superquadro engine which powers the 1199 Panigale - Ducati's latest Superbike

Ducati's new 2012 superbike, the 1199 Panigale, will be powered by the innovative Superquadro engine, which produces a massive 195hp with torque of 98.1 lb-ft (13.5kgm).

With the engine designed to be a fully stressed member of the chassis, its architecture has been designed to provide the best possible vehicle construction for layout, weight distribution and strength. Only Fabio Taglioni's masterpiece 90° L-twin configuration and Desmodromic valve control have been retained from previous engines. Everything else is new.

Ducati say "The Superquadro is the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet and is destined to power the new Ducati 1199 Panigale with absolute performance perfection."

• The cylinders, which remain at 90° to each other, have been rotated backwards around the crankcases enabling the engine to be positioned 32mm further forwards for improved front/rear weight distribution
• Vacuum die-cast Crankcases provide Optimal weight-saving and the nikasil-coated aluminium "wet-liners" improve sealing and heat dissipation into the coolant.
• The highly efficient MotoGP-style vacuum oil pump is a new Ducati feature amd keeps the crankshaft well-lubricated, whilst quickly scavenging the oil back into the pump.
• Primary drive-casing, clutch casing and outer cover; sump and cam covers are all cast in magnesium alloy ensuring a light weight despite increased strength as an integral part of the chassis.
• The bore and stroke of 112mm x 60.8mm increases engine speed and enhanced breathability. The 1.84:1 ratio effectively increases rpm with the ultra-short stroke of the crankshaft and increases the cylinder area to enable increased inlet and exhaust valve diameters.
• An ingenious new device creates sufficient inlet valve lift to act as a de-compressor, enabling easy starting with a smaller battery and starter motor, thus saving even more weight.
• New for a top-of-the-range Ducati Superbike is a “wet”, oil-bath clutch. It features a “slipper” function which results in a rider-friendly light clutch lever “feel” at the handlebar and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions
• Ducati has achieved performance-optimised fuel mapping by introduction of a secondary air system that completes the oxidisation of unburned hydrocarbons and effectively reduces HC and CO levels.