2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale

We're still a few months away from 2012, but Ducati looks to be taking hold of the title for most anticipated new bike of the year with the successor to the 1198, the company's flagship superbike.


Rumors had been running rampant as to what the official name of this new machine will be. Everything from Xtreme, Superquadrata (super-square, in reference to the engine's highly oversquare bore and stroke measurements), to, simply, 1199 have all been thrown on the table. Ducati finally put the rumors to rest after recently unveiling its official name: 1199 Panigale.
For the first time, Ducati's superbike range will depart from its traditional numerical nomenclature. As in past superbikes, "1199" is in reference to the engine displacement, while "Panigale" pays tribute to Ducati's hometown of Borgo Panigale in Bologna.