Heron

As the 2012 MotoGP and World Superbike seasons run their final laps, the buzz surrounding Ducati has been less about bikes and more about the boardroom: Earlier this year, Audi purchased the premium Italian motorcycle manufacturer for $1.2 billion. And while fans of both brands are busy speculating about future collaborations, Ducati's current lineup already boasts one of the most jaw-dropping impressive superbikes on the market: the all-new 1199 Panigale.
"The 1098 and 1198 both shared parts from the past – the engine and chassis were year-over-year evolutions, some of the tech or engineering was carried over – but the 1199 is built from the ground up," says Dominique Cheraki, Ducati's General Manager for North America. "We said [to the engineers]: 'Create a new generation with a new engine, increase power and torque, reduce weight and maintenance costs, and increase handling and usability.'"

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