Ducati sent tongues wagging at their bi-annual World Ducati Week held at the Marco Simoncelli Circuit in Italy last week, with the unveiling of the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario model.
Limited to just 500 examples world-wide and resplendent in special red and white livery similar to the MotoGP Desmosedici, the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario utilizes the same base as the 1299 Panigale S but comes with revamped electronics including an EVO version on the Ducati Wheelie Control and Ducati Traction Control systems.
The new traction control system is essentially slide control thanks to the Bosch IMU and its new algorithms and is similar to what was found on the 2015-onwards Yamaha YZF-R1. According to Ducati, “While the bike is leaned over in a turn, the rider can use the throttle to dial-in additional rear-wheel slip beyond the “normal” level of intervention – thus further pivoting the motorcycle around its front wheel, and closing the trajectory of the turn. DTC EVO in level 1 allows this pivot to occur, effectively allowing rear-wheel steering with active traction control.
“By increasing consistency and precision of intervention, and opening up a whole new way of adjusting the bike’s dynamic behaviour, DTC EVO gives the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario maximum cornering performance and acceleration with the highest level of safety.”
DTC EVO has been improved by allowing the throttle butterflies to be manipulated via the ECU, and as well as influencing spark and fuel delivery, and allows for a smoother intervention of the traction control system and smoother combustion to maximize acceleration.
Other distinctive features on the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario include its top triple clamp and steering head inserts, both in machined-from-solid aluminum alloy.
Each top triple clamp is unique in that it has been laser-etched with the bike’s unique production number of 500. The steering head inserts shift the front wheel forward 5mm, giving the same chassis geometry as the Panigale R, and a light lithium battery, together with carbon-fiber heel guards, rear mudguard and shock absorber cover reduce weight by 5.5lb.
Interestingly, Ducati didn’t release the price when they showed this bike to the waiting public in Italy. But, like many nice things in life, the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario might be a case of if you have to ask…
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