Source: Ducati news | More than a year after the first tests with Michele Pirro at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, work has begun on the prototype of the “V21L”, which will be the protagonist of the 2023 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship season. Production of the electric motorbikes started in December and 23 bikes will be ready by mid-February. In addition to the 18 motorcycles that will be driven, five spare vehicles will be provided to the organization. Each prototype is assembled by experienced technicians from Ducati’s MotoE Racing Department, using the same high level of craftsmanship, precision and attention to detail that is used to build MotoGP bikes.
The start of production of the “V21L” prototype marks the beginning of a new and important chapter in Ducati’s history. For the Borgo Panigale company, this project was born to develop the skills of the future while maintaining the approach that has always driven Ducati DNA. Experimenting with technical solutions in the racing world and trying to ensure that everything developed in this area can be used on Ducati motorcycles for enthusiasts all over the world.
Ducati has created one of the most technologically advanced, refined and sophisticated electric motorcycle in the world. A joint effort between Ducati R&D engineers and the Ducati Corse team. The “V21L” is the MotoGP of electric motorcycles, combining the electronics and chassis dimensions developed by Ducati Corse with the design process and project management typical of Ducati’s road bike like the Panigale V4. It is the combination of the best skills of both worlds, racing and production, a prototype with which Ducati experiments in a world yet to be discovered, that of electric sports bikes.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati says: “The start of production of the Ducati MotoE is a historic moment for our company, which with this project is thoroughly studying the technologies of the future for the world of motorcycling. It is an important area of experimentation, in which we are investing to build know-how, so that we will be ready when battery technology should allow the creation of an exciting electric road bike with the weight, performance and range that enthusiasts expect from a Ducati. We are therefore embarking on this new adventure with the aim of developing the people and skills within the company to shape what the character of a future Ducati electric road bike might be. The MotoE project represents a decisive step for Ducati to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions on the product side, alongside research into synthetic fuels (efuel) that can reduce the total CO2 emissions of internal combustion engines to zero. Environmental sustainability is something that all individuals and all companies must consider a priority if the delicate balance of the planet is to be preserved. Ducati is committed to this also at industrial level, and the construction of the new Finitura e Delibera Estetica area classified as Nearly Zero Energy Building is just the latest example”.
After a year of development and testing, with Michele Pirro, Alex De Angelis and Chaz Davies taking turns driving the ‘V21L’ prototype, the Ducati MotoE project is getting closer to the Championship. The first tests of riders and teams for the 2023 World Championship are scheduled for March 6, 7 and 8 in Jerez, followed by Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit on 3, 4 and 5 April.
The real race debut will take place at the French Grand Prix on Saturday, 13 May. The 2023 MotoE World Championship calendar is spread over eight Grands Prix with two races per weekend, both on Saturdays. After the French debut, the MotoE World Championship will be present in all the following European races until the Misano GP, thus will continue at Mugello on the weekend of 11 June, at Sachsenring on the following weekend and at Assen on the 25 June. After the summer break, the Ducati MotoE bikes will return to the track at Silverstone on 5 August, before tackling the final three Grands Prix at the Red Bull Ring (20 August), Catalunya (2 September) and Misano (10 September).
Pictures: © Ducati / LinkedIn
