Ducati Introduces The Next-Generation V2 Engine

In what shouldn’t be as much of a surprise as it is, Ducati has announced the next generation of its iconic V-Twin engine, proving pundits like myself absolutely wrong about the V2 engine going away in favor of the parallel-Twin that is becoming ubiquitous. The reality was the Panigale V2 Final Edition marked the end of the Superquadro engine – and that’s it.

Ducati’s latest V2 sports a displacement of “just” 890cc. It’s a reduction from the Superquadro’s 955cc, but it’s still a highly oversquare engine with a 96.0 mm bore and 61.5 mm stroke (the Superquadro was 100.0 mm x 60.8 mm for comparison). Oversquare engines like to rev, and this new V2 is no different, reaching a redline of 11,350 rpm. With its high revs and a 13.5:1 compression ratio (up one point from the Superquadro), Ducati claims a peak of 120 hp at 10,750 rpm and 69 lb-ft of torque at 8,250.

It’s unclear why Ducati shrunk the engine capacity, especially as Bologna’s rivals at KTM have upped its parallel-Twin to 990cc, but at least it’s in line with Yamaha’s 890cc CP3 Triple. Interestingly, all three engines are rated to nearly identical power figures. Unlike the Desmodue, Desmoquattro, Testastretta, and Superquadro engines before it, this new V2 doesn’t have a name. Nor does it have Ducati’s signature desmodromic valve actuation. Ducati says those past V2s were too focused on racing, which meant those engines didn’t have much practicality for the road.

This new V2 turns the page. Performance is always a pillar for Ducati, but in this new V2, the definition of performance goes beyond high-strung horsepower. It now has to also include compactness, light weight, smoothness, fuel efficiency, and most importantly – wide versatility. All while meeting Euro5+ emission regulations. It’s a no-brainer to expect this engine in a new Panigale, Streetfighter, and Multistrada, at least. Who knows what else might be in store?

For starters, Ducati hasn’t totally abandoned its history. The V-angle remains 90 degrees with the cylinders rotated backwards on the crankshaft axis by 20 degrees. This helps optimize weight balance, reduces overall wheelbase, and also provides much-needed clearance for the front tire when the fork is fully compressed. Inside the die-cast crankcases, water jackets are incorporated around the thin-walled aluminum cylinder liners for effective and efficient heat dissipation. Since the liner is inserted into the crankcase housing during the initial assembly process, Ducati says this allows the head to be fixed directly onto the crankcase for optimal stiffness and compactness.

Hello, Valve Springs

You read that right, the V2 follows in the footsteps of the V4 Granturismo and uses valve springs instead of the desmo system. This makes the ownership experience a little easier by not having to worry about desmo services and extends the length of valve clearance checks to 18,000 miles – 3,000 miles more than the Superquadro engine. Like other variable valve timing systems, Ducati’s IVT (Intake Variable Timing) system gives you the best of both worlds with linear torque delivery at low revs without tapering off at high revs. This is because the IVT system continuously varies the timing of the intake valve control over a 52° arc. Cam phasers fitted on the intake camshafts define the best overlap based on engine rotation speed and throttle opening. Because of the IVT, more than 70% of maximum torque is available at 3,000 rpm, and between 3,500 and 11,000 rpm, the torque value never drops below 80%.

The intake valve opening finger rockers have DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) treatment, just like the Desmosedici MotoGP bike, to reduce friction as much as possible. In the interest of keeping things light, and to help support the high revs, the intake valve stems are hollow, which brings a 5% weight saving. The valves are chrome-plated.

Sucking air into the engine is a 52 mm diameter circular throttle body, with a sub-throttle injector controlled by a ride-by-wire system. This enables four different Power Modes. These dedicated maps change the amount of torque delivered per gear. The new V2 is equipped with an intake bypass circuit which uses a duct to connect the two cylinders' airbox and intake ducts near the intake valve, improving the air/fuel mix for greater fuel efficiency and to reduce emissions.

In keeping with the theme of compactness, the new V2 has the water pump positioned on the right of the front cylinder head and is driven via a pair of gears on the exhaust cam. This minimizes the exposed rubber tubing to the radiator, and in Ducati’s words, improves “the appearance of bikes where the engine is left exposed.” That sounds directed at both the Streetfighter and Multistrada models this engine will go into. For the same reasons, the new engine has its water/oil heat exchanger positioned inside the V of the cylinders, which allows for the elimination of the oil cooler.

Unsurprisingly, the V2 gearbox is equipped with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0 that is based solely on the gear sensor, allowing for a more direct feel, with reduced travel and without that “rubbery” sensation typical of traditional quick shifters. Not to mention it should be easier to find neutral. Finally, the 8-disc slipper clutch is derived from the Testastretta 11°.

Ducati says the new V2 will be specialized for the different applications it will be used in, “from sportbikes, to adventure travel bikes, and everyday road bikes,” and will have different power levels, gearing, flywheel inertia, and alternator output to match. You can deduce from there the different models we’ll see this engine in.

In fact, the wait won’t be long, as Ducati is set to reveal the first bikes to feature the new V2 engine in the Ducati World Premiere set for Tuesday, November 5 at 6:00pm CET.