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EICMA: Ducati 848
The Superbike family for 2008 features
two important changes: the introduction of a mid-engine size
version, the light and nimble 848, and an extreme 'racing' version
for all those who demand the maximum performance, the 1098 R
version that will take part in the 2008 World
Superbike Championship.
The priority in every step of the new Ducati Superbike development
has been performance first. Every system, every detail and every
component has been studied, pared down to its essence and performance
increased to the maximum. If it didn't make our Superbike lighter,
faster or deliver quicker lap times, it wasn't considered. The
848 and 1098 are the lightest, fastest stopping, quickest lapping
Ducati Superbikes in history. For the first time Ducati MotoGP
and World Superbike technology have been combined to create premier
sport bikes. The results are stunning.
The look and stance of the 848 and 1098 were designed by the
combination of race track technology, track-derived components
and Ducati heritage. Their striking aerodynamic shape naturally
embraces a riding position, configured by our racers and test
riders for optimum speed and agility. The racing spirit takes
form.
The new Ducati Superbikes immediately strike you with their purposeful,
no-nonsense attitude. Performance is first and foremost in every
detail.
Trademark Ducati features like the high tail section and compact
front-end meld with twin under-seat silencers and single-sided
swingarm to express aerodynamics and agility. Add the new Testastretta
Evoluzione engine at the heart of the machines and you get all-out
performance Ducati Superbikes that seem to be moving fast, even
when at rest.
A number of 'firsts' for Ducati and production sport bike design
have been introduced. The 848 and 1098 are the first to have
a data acquisition system integrated as standard equipment and
the first to use an ingenious construction method for their weight-saving
single-sided swingarm. More 'firsts' for a road-going Ducati
include the direct application of MotoGP technology, like the
power producing GP6-derived elliptical throttle bodies and the
use of the information-rich instrumentation originally developed
for the Desmosedici GP7. Furthermore, the 1098 is the first production
motorcycle to have the amazing stopping power of Brembo Monobloc
brakes.
DUCATI 848
As agile and light as a Supersport, as powerful as a Superbike
The new 848 enjoys all the performance advancements of the
entire Superbike family, while adding its own innovations to
redefine the middleweight sport bike class.
The words 'agile' and 'refined' aptly describe the 848. At 168kg
(369lbs) the 848 is an amazing 20kg (44lbs) lighter than its
predecessor, and a significant 5kg (11lbs) lighter than its larger
capacity brother, the 1098.
The highly advanced 848 engine uses an improved method of engine
case production in which cases are vacuum die-cast formed. While
providing significant weight savings of more than 3kg (6.5lbs),
this method also ensures consistent wall thickness and increased
strength. Further refinements include a sophisticated wet clutch
that offers 1kg (2.2lbs) less weight, a much higher service life,
improved clutch feel and quiet operation.
With the first twist of the wrist, the powerful rush of the Testastretta
Evoluzione engine confirms that the rules have changed. The 848's
134hp is not only 30% more powerful than its predecessor, but
it provides a power-to-weight ratio even better than the potent
999.
The new engine
The new 848 Testastretta Evoluzione engine becomes the benchmark
for the middleweight sportsbike category, benefitting from all
the experience accumulated with the larger engine on the 1098.
It successfully adopts the same design guidelines and the same
compact cylinder and cylinder head layout, but introduces for
the first time ever an innovative solution for the crankcase,
which has been designed with a further weight reduction for this
advanced engine in mind. The overall layout of this engine integrates
a series of avant-guard solutions, confirming the close links
with the experience of Ducati's racing department.
The 849cc engine has bore and stroke values of 94mm and 61.2mm
respectively, which produce a ratio that is only slightly inferior
to the 1098 (1.54 compared with 1.61), while maintaining the
highly 'over-square' layout typical of racing engines.
Power output is an impressive 134hp (98.5kW) at 10,000 rpm and
maximum torque is 9.8kgm (96Nm) at 8250 rpm. The power and torque
values confirm the high performance level of this engine, especially
when compared to its predecessor, the Testastretta-engined 749.
The cylinder head has been modified in line with the characteristic
bore and stroke of the engine in order to optimize the fluid
dynamics of the intake (straight and plunging) and exhaust ducts
and combustion chamber. The compression ratio is 12:1.
The valve angle is the same as the 1098 engine and diameter is
39.5mm for the inlet valve and 32mm for the exhaust. The technology
used sees the application of a bi-metallic alloy that combines
increased lightness with resistance and reliability required
for these particular components. The desmodromic control system
has also been designed with the weight and the inertia of the
new components in mind, allowing extremely efficient valve lift
during intake and exhaust phases. The excellent results achieved
are confirmed by the engine's power figures, producing outstanding
performance thanks also to the use of MotoGP-derived elliptical
throttle bodies, which have been fitted to the 1098 engine.
The design of a dedicated elliptical throttle body for the 848
demonstrates the attention that Borgo Panigale engineers have
devoted to the development of the Superbike range. The cross-section
is reduced from the 60 sq. mm of the 1098 to 56 sq. mm so as
to optimize fluid dynamics at every engine speed.
Just like on the 1098, the new cylinder heads benefit from fewer
components and include magnesium covers.
For the first time ever, this Testastretta Evoluzione engine
sees the introduction of a special technology for the construction
of the engine crankcase: Vacural casting. This is a forced vacuum
die casting method that allows jet characteristics to be improved
thanks to the absence of porosity, gas inclusion and oxidation.
This allows extremely high measurement precision and greater
ductility for aluminium alloy. Designers have been able to harness
the benefits of this innovative process by redefining the shape
and the wall thickness of the new crankcase by means of FEA (Finite
Element Analysis) checks, which allowed the required reliability
standards to be achieved, while simultaneously obtaining a significant
weight saving of 3.5kg.
The 848 engine is fitted with a silent modular wet clutch, characterized
by an exceptional resistance to wear that will lead to superior
duration. This solution makes a useful contribution to weight
saving, estimated to be around 1.6kg, which is also due to the
use of a different type of clutch cover.
The high power figures achieved by this engine also come from
the use of the same type of oil cooler and coolant radiator as
the 1098's engine, with an increased surface area assisted by
lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies.
Finally, the 848's exhaust system follows the same layout and
uses the same innovative technology as the 1098. The system terminates
with Ducati's trademark twin under-seat silencers, delivering
the unmistakable signature sound of the big bore 90° L-Twin.
This power unit, just like all the other Ducati engines, has
been designed to comply with Euro 3 exhaust emission norms.
CHASSIS
Trellis frame
Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the 848 Trellis
frame has a simplified tube layout featuring main section tubes
increased in diameter from 28mm to 34mm, while being reduced
in thickness from 2mm to 1.5mm. The result is a 14% increase
in rigidity and a weight saving of 1.5kg (3.3lbs).
Single-sided swingarm
The 848, as all the Superbike family, is equipped with a unique
single-sided swingarm. The engineers were encouraged to re-think
the construction technique of this element. The solution was
to produce the main operational components using individual aluminium
castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel
hub and suspension links, with fabricated aluminium sections
used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully
engineered component.
Rear suspension
Highlighting the way in which individual components are influenced
by each other, the new lightweight Trellis frame and single-sided
swingarm have enabled a more compact and further weight-saving
rear suspension linkage system to be used featuring separate
lower pick-up points for the push-rod and suspension unit. This
'tandem' design effectively reduces stress around the linkage
pick-up area of the Trellis frame. Working together with this
highly efficient linkage is a fully adjustable Showa single shock
for the 848, the same as the 1098.
Front suspension
At the front the new 848 is equipped with fully adjustable 43mm
Showa forks with radial mounts. This type of front suspension
is professionally track-tuned and offers superior road holding,
delivers superior feedback, and helps every rider to be more
confident and in control.
CONTROL
Brembo Monobloc calipers
The 848 brake system is characterized by M4 calipers
using four 32mm pistons and two radial mounted pads. Matched
to the calipers are two 320mm discs and the combination of these
elements achieves spectacular braking power.
Super lightweight wheels
The new 848 also benefits from lightweight Marchesini Y-shaped
spoke wheels. The weight saving of 250gr achieved on the front
wheel substantially reduces the moment of inertia and enhances
the 848's change of direction and braking performance. The rear
wheel is just as impressive with a complete redesign for its
single-sided swingarm application that has resulted in a reduction
of over 1kg compared with traditional Ducati single-sided swingarm
fitments. Finally a 5.50" wheel fitted with a 180/55 tyre
guarantees the maximum agility at the rear.
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