In October of 2021, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali issued a joint assertion asserting that from 2023 by means of 2026 Ducati would provide all of the racebikes competing within the FIM MotoE World Cup. Previously, Energica had supplied the bikes; the transfer to Ducati was a transparent try to revitalize MotoE occasions, advance the expertise, and provides MotoE a a lot stronger picture.
Now we all know extra. Ducati has unveiled the V21L, its prototype MotoE racer, and the Borgo Panigale firm exhibits each signal of taking the problem critically. The new bike marks a pointy evolution in expertise, however extra importantly, the V21L demonstrates real racing competence. This is a welcome improvement, although maybe not shocking, because the bike was collectively developed by Ducati R&D and Ducati Corse. The prototype is far lighter than the earlier Energica racers and options a way more subtle design together with the promise of superior efficiency.
The Ducati/Audi Connection
When Ducati’s technical workforce set to work on the brand new challenge, they already had a head begin. Ducati’s dad or mum firm is the automotive producer Audi, who has quite a lot of experience and expertise on this space. The cooperation with Audi R&D is most evident within the propulsion bundle. The battery pack consists of 1152 cells with a capability of 18kWh at 800 volts. The excessive voltage may elevate an eyebrow, nevertheless it’s obligatory to acquire most vitality density. While the very excessive voltage permits prime efficiency, it additionally places nice calls for on the lithium-ion batteries.
Liquid-Cooled Electric Motor
To scale back the danger of battery explosions, a complicated liquid-cooling system has been developed. Thanks to this method, the battery pack could be recharged without having to attend for it to chill. A 20kW socket is built-in into the seat’s tailsection.
The motor delivers 110 kilowatts of peak energy and 103 lb.-ft. of peak torque, weighs solely 46 kilos, and spins as much as a powerful 18,000 rpm. A compact inverter weighs simply 11 kilos, and just like the battery pack, the motor makes use of a high-efficiency liquid-cooling system.
The battery pack/propulsion system sits on the heart of a compact however very robust chassis. Ducati’s MotoGP expertise is clear right here: The chassis construction makes use of the carbon fiber battery-pack field as a essential careworn member, and a pyramidal aluminum building connects the energy-storage elements to the steering head. The unit solely weighs 8 kilos. The aluminum swingarm has a singular braced double-arm design and weighs 10.5 kilos.
The entire challenge exhibits an obsession with weight containment, and this helps make the V21L an actual racer in the very best Ducati Corse custom. For instance, the seat and tail construction are all carbon fiber, and consequently Ducati claims the bike doesn’t want any supporting subframe for these elements. Despite the battery pack’s 242-pound weight, the entire V21L solely weighs 496 kilos, a document within the class and 26.5 kilos lower than the minimal weight specified by FIM for the MotoE racers.
Finned Brembo Brake Discs
Suspension elements are prime drawer: A 43mm Öhlins NPX 25/30 gas-charged fork and TTX 36 gas-charged shock. But the brakes are the true consideration grabbers. Since the electrical motor affords solely minimal “compression braking,” Brembo has developed a really particular entrance brake for the V21L. The twin rotors are 338.5mm in diameter, however additional thick: Brembo affords a alternative of both 6.8mm or 7.4mm. Why so beefy? They function a layer of cooling fins between the outer surfaces to make sure higher warmth dispersion. The rotors are teamed with Brembo’s GP4-RR M32 32/36 four-piston monoblock calipers.
The V21L is supplied with an electronics suite that features traction management, slide management, wheelie management, and throttle/engine response management. Except for the 58-inch wheelbase, Ducati hasn’t divulged a lot concerning the chassis geometry. At current, the electrical Duc is present process intensive observe checks; even Claudio Domenicali has taken a spin on it.
Source: www.cycleworld.com
