Ducati has revealed official technical information about its new 1,158cc V4 Granturismo engine that will power the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4. The big news for the V4 Granturismo powerplant is that it boasts a record-breaking 37,282.3-mile (60,000 kilometer) valve service interval, thanks to a new spring valve return system.
Yes, you read that right. The V4 Granturismo will not use a desmodromic valvetrain. Before metallurgy advancements in the 1950s, desmodromic valve systems held an advantage over spring valve return configurations when applied to engines destined for continuous high-rpm use. In the early days of racing, springs of that era could not withstand the abuse of sustained high-rpm, resulting in “valve float,” as well as catastrophic failure.
Ducati’s new powerplant uses much of what was learned from the Ducati Panigale and Streetfighter V4 engine development, sharing aspects like the “Twin Pulse” firing order. However, significant differences exist between them.
To begin with, the displacement has grown 55cc, thanks to a larger bore and stroke of 83 x 53.5 mm. However, the 14:1 compression ratio found on the Panigale and Streetfighter V4 is retained. Claimed horsepower has risen 12 points to 170 at 10,500 rpm, while peak torque has decreased roughly 2.8 points to 92.2 lb-ft at 8,750 rpm. The new engine platform is homologated for Euro 5 emissions.
The V4 Granturismo engine will also employ the same counter-rotating crankshaft design found in the Panigale V4, Streetfighter V4, and Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP race bikes. This design feature counteracts the negative gyroscopic effect that a motorcycle’s forward-rotating wheels have on a bike’s agility, which should enable the 2021 Ducati Multistrada to handle and transition from side-to-side better than its predecessor.
The V4 Granturismo is said to have a compact, lightweight design that will deliver a mix of high-performance aspects and torque-rich characteristics, making it suitable for Adventure Touring. Compared to the Testastretta V-twin engine found in the outgoing Multistrada, the V4 Granturismo is 3.35–inches shorter, 3.7-inches lower and only 0.79-inch wider. Hopefully, these svelte dimensions will contribute to narrower and lower chassis on the 2021 Multistrada that will accommodate a broader range of rider sizes. The engine’s total weight is said to be 147 pounds — 2.65 pounds lighter than the Testastretta V-twin.
Lastly, the new Multistrada engine will feature rear-cylinder-bank deactivation at idle to help rider comfort.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
