interview c.domenicali - new models

Here's a translation countesy of Google translate... some hope for things that people have been interested in here, the air-cooled engines will continue, a Scrambler is a possibility as is a Scooter!

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In the future of Ducati there are scooters, scramblers and factories abroad

Claudio Domenicali has since taken control of the product segment of Ducati has always kept its promises. The company, Ducati, since 2007, has reported at least one new bike and has produced products that have gone on to place in market segments dominated by other brands. The latest provocation is Diavel.

Whose idea was it to make a motion as crazy as the Diavel?
"If Diavel will be a success will have many fathers, but if it will be a flop, the culprits will be few ... Seriously, the Diavel was my idea. Although very different from the Multistrada is part of the same program, which provides for our debut in market segments where we were not present, with products other than those of competitors. The design was created by Bart Janssengroesbeek, the father of the Monster. "

She is proving that is not so much related to the technical solutions of the past. The solution of the trellis frame in steel tubes with aluminum plates, experienced by other manufacturers, has now convinced you?
"A company that produces high-level motion must offer the customer the best, then we must not and can not bind us to life solutions that put the brakes from the technical point of view. The trellis frame in steel tubes with aluminum plates has become a "format" for us. In the area of the plates there are numerous attacks, with a traditional steel tube trellis, correctly position all while getting a good result style is very complicated. "

When developing a new technical solution, normally used on most models. We will see the suspension with the shock of Diavel horizontal on the new bike or other sports?
"The rear suspension of Diavel is especially designed to meet the needs of the design center. I do not believe that similar solutions will meet other Ducati. "

She argues that a Ducati is not to be less powerful than the competition. Theory that wife is ill with the use of air motors with two valves per cylinder. What will be their future?
"(Sunday, a little 'surprise, reflected a moment before answering, ed) Let's say that, actually, with air-cooled engines that we can not achieve high performance. I can say that these units do not become extinct, but in future will be mounted on special models.

For example, on a Scrambler ...
"It's one of the models that boil in saucepan. I can not deny that we are seriously considering. Here, a scrambler, should be air-cooled engine. "

You, just like BMW, the brand would also be matched with a suitable sports scooter. We are thinking?
"It's another of those models ... in pan. We're talking about for some time, lately quite seriously ...».

That engine could be mounted?
"Certainly not one that we in range. I think we will design one ad hoc.

Scrambler, maxi scooter, extreme sports ... What other surprises does the future of Ducati?
"The next three years will be very important. Several new models will arrive (at the end of 2011 a sporty two-cylinder of 12.00 cm ³ entirely new note) and we will significantly increase our production. The goal will be churning out more than 60,000 bikes a year. To do this we are working: we need to increase our sales in Brazil and India. In these countries we export our products, but because of customs duties, a Monster cost more than € 16,000. Madness. Therefore we will build two factories, one in Brazil and one in Thailand, where they assemble the bikes. In this way, we sell our products at competitive prices, both in South America, and Asia. "

Richard Piergentili
 
Comedy translations a plenty!:D

Yes indeedy - "Theory that wife is ill with the use of air motors with two valves per cylinder" has to be my favourite!

So Mr Ducati, why aren't you making more 2v air-cooled engines?
Because they make my wife ill.
Fair enuff!

:D
 
That is worth £600 absolute tops (from the man who got £400 for his £140 Cyclemaster ;))

The problem I have always had with the Cucciolo is that what you are buying is the engine because Ducati sold it so folk would clap it onto their old pushbike.
Some sellers ask huge money almost as if you were buying a Ducati bike.
I would like one as a novelty I suppose but feel if I am going to spend over a grand on a bike I would rather have a Ducati bike rather than an engine.
It is entitled to it's place in Ducati history however and led to Ducati producing their first proper bike. (which was a single cylinder as well)
Anyway I have absolute confidence that my years of moaning will see a result when the Scrambler is relaunched as a single! :D
Keep me on your waiting list Martin!;):)
 
Why would you want a V4?:dunno::dunno: Don't you like the twin configuration?

Personally I hope they hold on to the twin design for many years to come - it is the DNA of our brand.

I'm suggesting Ducati is missing out on a potentially lucrative segment of the market by not offering a V4 superbike. That's not the same as saying I don't like my twin. :D

As for the "DNA" reference, I don't buy into that. Taking that to a logical conclusion would suggest that we should all be riding around on a vehicle constructed out of radio components. :cool:
 
I'm suggesting Ducati is missing out on a potentially lucrative segment of the market by not offering a V4 superbike. That's not the same as saying I don't like my twin. :D

As for the "DNA" reference, I don't buy into that. Taking that to a logical conclusion would suggest that we should all be riding around on a vehicle constructed out of radio components. :cool:

Hmmm, I don't really think the V4 market is bigger or more lucrative than a V2 market to be honest. What gives you that impression? Judging from what I hear on a day to day basis, I think quite the opposite.

As to the DNA, I'm not solely referring to the history of the brand, more directly to the modern viewpoint and current mission statement.
 
Hmmm, I don't really think the V4 market is bigger or more lucrative than a V2 market to be honest. What gives you that impression?

Er, where did I say it was bigger or more lucrative? :confused:

I said it was "potentially lucrative" - which is not a statement about its size relative to any other market segment. :idea:
 
Front cylinder will be coated in invisible paint! :D

:D:D

but if they plan the scooter project with a different engine base ('Certainly not one that we have in range. I think we will design one ad hoc.') then maybe there's a chance to get a single for some real nice bikes, not only a scrambler....;)
 
:D:D

but if they plan the scooter project with a different engine base ('Certainly not one that we have in range. I think we will design one ad hoc.') then maybe there's a chance to get a single for some real nice bikes, not only a scrambler....;)

That's what I was thinking as well! ;)

However I have been told for years that there was no demand for a single cylinder so if they make one you and I will have the only ones on the road!

Oh and Gizmo! :lol2:
 
well, given that a huge chunk of Ducati marketing $$$ is used promoting a V4 it might possibly indicate that a V2 isn't at the cutting edge of technology and for those who are attracted by technology they might possibly consider buying a V4 not a V twin ?

I look at the Aprilia range and wouldn't buy the V2, the RSV4 on the other hand is interesting, if i was in the market for an SBK, which I'm not I'd look at that as I've owned v2's and could consider a change. Its all well and good having a long standing USP but just like moving into new market segments with Diavel and multistrada Ducati also need to develop alternatives that attract SBK fans who don't see the benefits of a V twin. It doesnt need to be a large market, it needs to be a market that attracts new fans or retains old fans who might want "new" not saying its right or wrong as I'm a big believer in evolution of design but its one they need to consider if they believe big petrol engines are the future....

As regards a single, yes, I'd be tempted into a light weight supermono style bike if it was size/weight of something like an RS250 and had about 70BHP, my days of spending 15K on a bike are long gone, I dont ride enough to justify that and a little more cost effective toy would fit the bill nicely. The question I'm now asking is whether it would be petrol or whether I'd look more seriously at an electric option if it was around.....

I appreciate fuel is a small part of the ownership cost but its still a factor in many peoples consideration and I never thought I'd consider an electric/hybrid car but am looking at CRZ's I'd do the same on bikes
 
Excellent points Gizmo, particularly regarding the RSV4 which seems a tremendous bike.

Ducati has always built its image/marketing on its racing links/heritage, so it does seem bizarre that a V4 is their only factory supported racer but they don't offer a similarly configured roadbike. :dunno:
 
Er, where did I say it was bigger or more lucrative? :confused:

I said it was "potentially lucrative" - which is not a statement about its size relative to any other market segment. :idea:

Fair points, i'll give you that, it was just the way I read it. My apologies. ;)

I think most people buy the SBK because of the characteristics of the twin engine (among many other things of course). As a SBK buyer/rider myself, it's certainly why I do and the vast majority of our clients seem to.

In fact, our twin engine characteristics are more often than not the major factor during the purchase process.

At some time in the future I assume the questions among the factory designers will be "will we sell more V2's or V4's ?" and "can we remain competitive racing a twin?" I think right now the answers are no and yes respectively, without doubt.

Conversely I think that the twin absolutely is at the cutting edge, to get 200+bhp from a dramatically over-square, road based twin is cutting edge in the extreme.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Desmo engine, it's an intoxicating mix and offers an incredible sensation of speed and power like nothing else i've ridden (and i've ridden almost every bike on the market). I've been lucky enough to have ridden many of them on road and track and am very fortunate to own one myself. Obviously initially designed for max bhp and racing in mind but rides in many ways like our twin. Even the engine size is only marginally wider than the twin helping to offer the traditional Ducati SBK ride, lean angle and feel.

I think that when the twin reaches the end of the development curve the V4 may be a natural progression but without giving anything away I think we are a long way from that point at this stage. Just look at Checa's performance at the weekend as a reasonable argument. Perhaps the twin as we know it will adapt but that is the great thing about competition racing - it drives development.

As for the Aprilia RSV4, I agree it certainly is a very interesting engine (although the bike's styling is not to my personal taste) but I am slightly confused as to why it doesn't sell in greater numbers. I was speaking to a few Aprilia dealers at the Diavel launch last week and it was the topic of discussion for a while. None of us could really understand why it doesn't sell in larger volumes. :dunno:

Of course we all know about the market in general moving away from SBK to a certain degree but I think it's more than that.

Whatever is around the next corner and whenever it arrives, if it is a development on the current engine (drawing a comparison to my own SBK) it will be simply astonishing.
 
My apologies. ;)

Absolutely no need. ;)


I think that when the twin reaches the end of the development curve the V4 may be a natural progression

This is what intrigues me. It seems that other than adding cubes, Ducati has concluded that they've taken the twin as far as it can go, hence the reason for pulling out of factory supported superbike racing.

As for the Aprilia RSV4, I agree it certainly is a very interesting engine (although the bike's styling is not to my personal taste) but I am slightly confused as to why it doesn't sell in greater numbers. I was speaking to a few Aprilia dealers at the Diavel launch last week and it was the topic of discussion for a while. None of us could really understand why it doesn't sell in larger volumes.

I've still to see an RSV4 in the flesh, so I hope they will have one at Ingliston. No idea about sales, but if I was in for a WSB-related bike, it'd be my most likely buy before I started looking seriously.
 
Do people shy away from Aprilia because they are worried about the firm folding, non-availability of spares, etc? It's a reputation thing.

Genuine question, I have no axe to grind - I actually liked the old RSV back in the day and considered getting one before I decided on my Ducati.
 
This is what intrigues me. It seems that other than adding cubes, Ducati has concluded that they've taken the twin as far as it can go, hence the reason for pulling out of factory supported superbike

I think that's only the way it seems but I know it's not the case.

We know there can be no more cubes added due to homologation (I won't open up that argument again) but in pulling out of WSBK with a factory team they have only done what all the other manufacturers have done before them, this allows resources to be redirected. Ducati are obviously still racing in the series with many of the same people spread among the satellite teams doing what they have always done.

I can tell you, honestly after speaking to many in factory circles, WSBK is still very close to their heart. None of us know what they have up their sleeves for the future.

However, on a global scale, MotoGP is absolutely massive in comparison to WSBK in terms of televised audiences and therefore potential customers base, it is a logical decision to remain focused there as a priority whilst obviously not forgetting WSBK. You can see this is evident by the results at Phillip Island, clearly there has been significant development in the closed season. The factory support is still there, just not in a dedicated factory team.
 
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