VIDEO: 2017 the final year for Ducati Panigale 1299?

A teaser video has appeared from premier Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, showing what appears to be a final edition Panigale, set to be unveiled on July 7 at the World Superbike race in Laguna Seca, US. It is pretty much the superbike world’s worst kept secret that Ducati will be replacing the V-twin Panigale superbike with a V-four, based on the Desmosedici engine it currently campaigns in MotoGP.

The demise of the V-twin Panigale is pretty much due to Euro 4 rules, as the current 1299 Panigale does not come under compliance, and there are no signs Ducati is willing to do so. As the US does not have any regulation approaching the stringent rules of Euro 4, it could be that this machine is intended for the US market only.

Based on the latest iteration of the Panigale, the Panigale S Anniversario, the last Panigale would likely carry the Superquadro V-twin displacing 1,285 cc and producing a claimed 205 hp. A host of advanced electronics can be expected on the bike, including Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO.

These rider aids are coupled with Bosch cornering ABS, the Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS) Engine Brake Control (EBC) – all of which we tested on the Ducati 959 Panigale previously – and the Ohlins Smart EC semi-active suspension. It will also be expected that carbon-fibre will be found in liberal doses on the final edition Panigale, perhaps even with the carbon-fibre frame found on the Ducati 1299 Superleggera.

From what little can be seen from the press image, the Panigale depicted will feature an Italian tricolore (tri-colour) red, white and green paint job, and will probably be offering in a limited numbers of units. More will be revealed at the launch on July 7, so keep checking back in.

GALLERY: 2016 Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario