eicma

Leaked Sketch Shows Plans For Power Cruiser From Ducati

Ducati Power Cruiser sketch – Click above to enlarge

Ducati, an Italian motorcycle manufacturer known for producing some of the highest performing race-bred motorcycles in existence, is apparently looking to branch into new and untapped markets. Evidence of such can be seen in the sketch above, which is said to have been leaked by a dealership that was privy to the company's future plans.

It's expected that Ducati will introduce the world to its power cruiser concept at the EICMA motorcycle show in Italy later this year, but the image above gives us some hints as to what we can expect. First and foremost, a liquid-cooled Testastretta V-twin engine with the Multistrada 1200's 11-degree valve overlap angle will be featured. The mill should pump out 150 or more horsepower and will be controlled by a ride-by-wire system with traction control.

Perhaps the most controversial feature amongst Ducati fans is sure to be the massive rear tire, which is held firmly in place by a single-sided swingarm. Spy shots indicate that the rear hoop may be as wide as a 240, which will certainly have negative effects on the bike's handling characteristics. In contrast, inverted front forks and monobloc calipers are up-level items included up front.

As always, Ducati will use its trademark trellis chassis, and the power cruiser will reportedly sport a reasonable 40-degree lean angle. Stay tuned for more as the EICMA Show gets closer.

[Source: Ducati.ms via Asphalt & Rubber]

Tags: ducati, ducati power cruiser, ducati project 0803, eicma, eicma 2010, motorcycle, motorcycles, power cruiser

BMW Surprises With Six-Cylinder Concept 6 Motorcycle

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

BMW Concept 6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW is known the world over for its excellent brand of inline-six cylinder powerplants. In most cases, those supremely smooth and powerful engines power the German company's cars and trucks. Apparently, that won't always be the case, though, as BMW has just revealed its new Concept 6 motorcycle at the EICMA Show in Milan.

As the name implies, the Concept 6 boasts an engine with six cylinders, and the best news is that the mill is destined for a new production model in the near future. Expect to see a replacement for the long-running LT series of touring bikes, bringing BMW more in line with the standard-setting Goldwing from Honda.

Looking at the actual concept itself, the chassis appears to be heavily based on the current production K-Series unit, and the powerplant is tilted at the same 55-degree angle as the current four-cylinder. Bodywork is suitable for concept duty, with a futuristic take on the old-school Cafe Racer look.

Power? BMW's being a bit coy at the moment, suggesting that it makes as much horsepower as the current 1.3-liter four (over 150, to be sure) and as much torque as any other motorcycle engine in production with a stout 96 lb-ft at 2,000 RPM. With a redline of nearly 9,000... you can imagine that there's plenty of power on tap. Check out our high-res photo gallery below and hit the jump for a video and the press release.

Gallery: BMW Concept 6

[Source: BMW]

Tags: bmw, bmw concept 6, BmwConcept6, concept 6, Concept6, eicma, eicma 2009, Eicma2009, milan motorcycle show, MilanMotorcycleShow, motorcycle

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Electrifying Performance: First Electric Ducati to Hit the Show Floor in Milan?

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Italwin Ducati City Pearl - Click above for high-res image gallery

Question: When is a Ducati not really a Ducati? Answer: When it's an electrically-assisted pedal bike made by the Italwing Group. The machine is known as the City Pearl, and it will be available in both men's and women's (with a dropped top tube) styles when it goes on sale in January at selected Ducati dealerships in Europe.

There is a precedent set for a pedal-powered Ducati. The famed Italian marque's first two-wheeler was known as the Cucciolo, which was really just a small four-stroke engine that attached to a bicycle frame. Still, we do wish that there was a bit more of a direct connection between Ducati and the City Pearl – as it stands it seems Italwin is merely trying to capitalize on the Ducati name.

In any case, the specifications for the City Pearl are right in line with other comparable electric bicycles. Power comes from a six-volt 9Ah Panasonic lithium ion battery pack and motivation comes from a front-mounted 250W brushless electric motor that's capable of propelling the bike to 24 kilometers per hour (about 15 mph). A seven-speed Nexus hub from Shimano sends human power to the rear wheel. See both versions in our image gallery below.

Gallery: Italwin Ducati City Pearl

[Source: Ducati]

Tags: city pearl, CityPearl, ducati, ducati city pearl, DucatiCityPearl, eicma, eicma 2009, Eicma2009, italwin, italwin city pearl, italwin ducati city pearl, ItalwinCityPearl, ItalwinDucatiCityPearl

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Ducati Finally Unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA in Milan

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After months of rumors, grainy spy shots and leaked information, Ducati has finally pulled the wraps off the 2010 Multistrada 1200. As with the original MTS, Ducati wanted to create a machine with sportbike-level performance that could be attained on nearly any kind of surface terrain. This time, though, the Italian manufacturer started with its latest liquid-cooled Testastretta powerplant as used in the top-level 1198 superbike, though altered with revised valve overlap for smoother power delivery and a 15-percent improvement in fuel consumption and emissions.

Ducati says the new Multistrada 1200 is "four bikes in one," and has thus bestowed its new motorcycle with four distinct Riding Modes that alter power and traction control levels: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. Sport mode offers the full 150-horsepower experience with a low amount of traction control and Touring mode is reportedly intended for everyday riding. Urban and Enduro modes tone things down several notches to 100 horsepower and opting for the latter also raises the suspension and sets the traction control to its least-active setting.

Up-level S models get a new Ducati Electronic Suspension setup that can be tailored to adjust spring pre-load along with rebound and compression damping with options for rider only, rider with luggage, rider and passenger or rider and passenger with luggage. Ducati says that the Multistrada 1200's 417-pound dry weight is the lowest in its class, though a full 5.3-gallon load of fuel (enough for 186 miles between fill-ups) would certainly raise that a bit. Pricing starts at $14,995 before any options are added. Hit the jump for the rest of the details and check out our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200

[Source: Ducati]

Tags: 2010 ducati multistrada 1200, 2010DucatiMultistrada1200, ducati, ducati multistrada 1200, DucatiMultistrada1200, eicma, eicma 2009, Eicma2009, multistrada, multistrada 1200, Multistrada1200

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MV Agusta Teases New F4, Details Leak Out Ahead of EICMA

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Shortly after showing off its new 2010 Brutale naked streetfighter, iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta will unveil its range-topping F4 sportbike at the EICMA motorcycle show. MV let loose one teaser image early last month, but details are just now starting to leak out about the 998cc inline-four screamer.

According to OmniMoto in Italy, MV Agusta has massaged its well-known powerplant with twin fuel injectors per cylinder and variable throttle bodies to put out 186 horsepower (still short of the class-leading 193-horsepower BMW S 1000 RR) at 12,900 RPM. Also on the menu are a slipper clutch and eight-way adjustable traction control.

We don't expect major chages to the bike's already attractive overall design, but a new bi-xenon take on the vertical headlight will join a longer and lighter single-sided swingarm to update things a bit. In any case, we'll get all the details soon enough when the F4 makes its official debut next week in Milan.

[Source: OmniMoto via Asphalt and Rubber]

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Tags: 2010, 2010 mv agusta f4, 2010MvAgustaF4, eicma, eicma 2009, Eicma2009, F430, mv Agusta, mv agusta f4, MvAgusta, MvAgustaF4

Ducati Announces Hypermotard 796, Prices it Below $10K

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Ducati Hypermotard 796 - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no doubt that the Ducati Hypermotard is one of the most talked about new motorcycles in recent memory, but at $14,995, it was priced out of many buyer's budgets. If you fit into that mold, we have some good news to share: Ducati has just officially announced the Hypermotard 796, and it carries a reasonable $9,995 asking price.

At this point, Ducati isn't saying much about the new engine that powers the Hypermotard 796, except that it's air-cooled, sports two valves per cylinder and puts out 81 horsepower and 56 lb-ft of torque. We've heard, though, that the new mill will displace around 800cc and is a development of the mill used in the Monster 696. Those power figures coupled with the new bike's low 368-pound (unverified at this point, naturally) package provide an attractive power-to-weight ratio.

Other features will include an APTC clutch and a single-sided swingarm along with redesigned top and bottom fork clamps and a revised steel trellis frame. Color options will include Ducati red and matte black in addition to the cool matte white scheme seen in our photo gallery below. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Ducati Hypermotard 796