Ducati’s first electrical bike, the V21L prototype that can compete within the FIM MotoE World Cup beginning in 2023, was formally offered on June thirtieth simply exterior Modena at Casa Maria Luigia, a sublime villa run run by 3-star Michelin chef Massimo Bottura.
From first sight it was clear that in some ways Ducati’s MotoE undertaking is the other of all the electrical bike initiatives which have gone earlier than. With Ducati’s bike engineering know-how, help from expertise mother or father firm Audi, and the dedication of the Ducati Corse racing division, a prototype has been created particularly for MotoE, quite than adapting an current highway bike to rework it right into a racing machine.
As with each bike constructed at Borgo Panigale, the design of the V21L began from a white piece of paper. There was full collaboration between the race division, the road bike improvement middle, and the artistic pencil of the Centro Stile.
We had the possibility to debate the V21L with the CEO of Ducati, Claudio Domenicali, who personally examined the MotoE bike at Mugello circuit in May.
The V21L marks the beginning of a brand new period. What is the philosophy of this bike?
“The MotoE project has a strategic relevance, since it allows us to develop expertise for the future. We wanted this bike to be an emblem of our brand. For this reason it was done jointly between the Ducati R&D and the Race Department. I think it is the first time that the two teams work so closely. The design comes from the pencil of an expert designer, softened according to all the bike’s ergonomic and aerodynamic requirements, as well as the cooling system. The result is a beautiful, sensual, and technological bike. It is a concentrate of carbon fiber, high voltage batteries, high power, and complex digital circuits. The dashboard many secrets that we are proud of.
What was the initial brief from Dorna?
We were asked to satisfy two main requirements: To design a bike lighter than 237 kilos, and to be able to complete a 7-lap race distance at maximum power. There were two options on the table: a heavier but more powerful bike, or a lighter bike with less power. We opted for the second, even if it is a little bit different from Ducati’s usual blueprint, which is characterized by a very powerful engine. In this case, we had to find the best compromise for the final result.
What was the main challenge?
The cooling system. This is a crucial aspect in an electric bike. The prototype components are in fact cooled by a particularly sophisticated and efficient liquid system with a double circuit designed to meet the different thermal needs of the battery pack and the motor/inverter unit. This guarantees the regularity of temperatures, a key factor for the consistency of performance especially in extreme conditions as in a race environment.
In MotoGP Ducati has pioneered technological solutions, like the winglets for example. What is unique about this bike?
The battery pack has been designed exclusively for this bike. You can understand it by having a look at the shape that perfectly fits inside the fairings, which remained untouched. To be clear, the fairings were our limits. We started by drawing the battery pack, having in mind the space available once the internal combustion engine and fuel tank are taken out from a current bike. We took all this space with the battery, as you can see from the tailor-made shape of the battery pack, and then we put all the other components around it.
What is the final result?
The Ducati MotoE has a total weight of 225 kg (496 lbs) and can count on maximum power and torque figures of 110 kW (150 hp) and 140 (103 lb-ft) Nm respectively, which allowed it to reach a speed of 275 km/h (171 mph) at Mugello Circuit. The battery pack weighs 110 kg (243 lbs) and offers a capacity of 18 kWh with a 20-kW charging socket integrated into the tail. Inside there are 1,152 cylindrical cells of the “21700″ type. These numbers give an idea of the incredible job that was done.
Looking at this prototype, what feeling does it inspire for Ducati?
Both enthusiasm and responsibility, because this is Ducati’s first electric motorcycle. We feel the expectation of all fans to have a product that reflects the brand.
You tested the MotoE for the first time at Mugello in May. What was your experience?
Testing the bike at Mugello was incredible. It’s amazing how easy it is to ride. You jump on it, and everything seems normal. The connection with the throttle is direct; you immediately feel the behavior of the rear tire. In this respect, electric is an advantage. The bike is ergonomic, so the “tank” is now a spot to lean on the turns based on the fashionable manner of driving.
The bike has tremendous clean acceleration out of the corners, and the connection between proper wrist rotation and torque may be very simple and linear. Braking is incredible and dealing with on the chicane is healthier than I anticipated. The MotoE has been made as mild as attainable contemplating the presently accessible applied sciences. Even although the load in comparison with the Panigale is increased and the rider has to anticipate the change of course sooner, the reactions and responses are nonetheless impressively simple and clean.
March 23, 2023 is the primary race. How is improvement going?
We are at 50 %, perhaps somewhat extra. The prototype verification part is accomplished and we’re within the regular part of set-up, reliability checks, the temperature in working situations. At Mugello, for instance, we tried within the warmth and the outcomes had been superb.
What is the restrict of the bike?
At this second, I’d say the expertise of the batteries. In truth we have now already deliberate to replace the bike in two years.
From the monitor to the highway. When will we see the primary manufacturing bike?
Our aim is to construct a manufacturing bike derived from this expertise as quickly because the batteries will enable us to supply a product that has the efficiency, the load, and the vary satisfactory to the minimal requirements we’ve outlined. Battery expertise is continually evolving, which is able to enhance the power density. We need to provide a Ducati that we could be really happy with.
Source: www.cycleworld.com