I can imagine them making a 1199RR but tbh I can't see a new Desmo coming, as the current GP bike just isn't winning anything, unless of course they are using it as a way of developing a future mainstream V4?
Can't help wondering if Audi will oversee the introduction of one or more shaft-driven bikes to compete with arch-rivals BMW??? V4 desmo engine in a shaft drive tourer to compete with the 1600cc tourer from BMW? Or an 1198/1199cc twin with shaft drive to compete with the partially water-cooled 2014 R1200RT???
Audi will have no input into the way bikes are designed; Ducati will continue in the same way Lamborghini was allowed to continue doing what they did best - created stupidly powerful and stunningly beautiful cars. Where Audi will have input is in the making of the bikes: materials and process improvements, volumes, streamlining, quality control, that kind of thing. This can only be a good thing, and you only have to look at Lamborghini to see that. Besides, with Ducati in the portfolio Audi already have bikes that beat BMW and are perceived to be of higher status / better quality / more aspirational than anything BMW has in its portfolio.
Ducati already have two sort of 'tourer's in their range. The Diavel Strada along with the Multi GT are the closest Ducati will be getting to the BMW RTs and Tropheys of this world. I agree with Antonye, Audi wouldn't interfere with the designs of the bikes, unless Ducati starts losing money hand over fist
Ducati won't make anything small or cheap. They don't have the economies of scale to make this worthwhile and it dilutes their aspirational brand image. They have said so on more than one occasion. They hinted strongly that they would be occupying new niches. So you have to ask yourself what large capacity new niches they don't currently occupy: sports tourers and full dressers, perhaps. The US is now their biggest market. What would the US motorcyclist want to see? Probably a humungous tourer but done in a Ducati style, ie with a lot less weight and more handling. They have the motors for them now.
Would love the idea of the single cylinder Pani, but cannot see it happening... What about a city bike? BMW and Aprilia have thier super scoots?
See the interview with Domenicali posted elsewhere here. The point of the Asian and Brazilian operations is to avoid local import duties in these burgeoning markets -- not to produce Ducati step-thrus.
Wasnt there talk of Ducatis being madde under license and rumours of a commuter to compete against the rice burners? The yanks will want something ultra macho and bare chested, and preferably as slow as fekk..and ideally something that they can ruin by turning it into a two wheeled abortion with a cast iron rear subframe, nazi iron cross style rear brake light, spot welded rear mudguard, forks that are 100 light years long and something that can turn pertol into noise with an optional tow bar and a place to mount a crucifix/bendy Jebus.
First I've heard of it. Dominicali didn't imply this. Somewhat the opposite but then he probably isn't in the business of revealing his plans to the media. But it would be a radical departure and would surely change the entire Ducati business model. Doubt they'd have that in place in the short space of time they've been under Audi ownership.
fkn hope not.. im quite surprised that they havent got into the whole buzzy scooter thing..you cant move anywhere in spain for little twots buzzing around on aprilias and all the rest of them..
Just watched that interview, it's well worth a watch. Domenicali answers a lot of questions about Audi and the future of Ducati, the company/brand. He clearly says there will be no small bikes. He explains that manufacturing in Thailand avoids paying import taxes on sales in both India and China. Very interesting. here it is http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f16/interesting-interview-domenicali-14924/
Thailand only builds its own cheap model not available elsewhere, the "Monster 795" which is basically a 696 frame with 796 engine and a double-sided swingarm to keep costs down. If they want to break into the big (and they are *really* big) Asian markets then they need affordable bikes and to knock them out cheaply. In this case it had nothing to do with taxes. Brazil will be building the same bikes as Italy for tax purposes, where an imported vehicle can be rated at 340% tax! It will be interesting to see what their final line-up is, whether it contains anything similar to Thailand, and how much an export costs!
well you can't order a 1098 SF or a 1100 evo monster from the factory allegedly so lets hope the new Monster doesnt look like a mutated Diavel,,,,
