It seems we are starting to see the fruits of Audi's purchase of Ducati, both for the Italian motorcycle company and for the Volkswagen Group as a whole. Last month, the Volkswagen XL Sport was shown, featuring a 200 hp V-twin engine off the Ducati 1199 Superleggera. Now Ducati has released details of its new engine, the Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) that borrows technology from the German manufacturer.
We're all familiar with variable valve timing in cars, but Ducati's system is claimed to be the first for a bike engine. DVT utilises dual continuous cam phasing, using hydraulically-operated pulleys to alter the angle of both intake and exhaust camshafts. This shifts the opening and closing of the desmodromic valves back and forth, rather than the actual duration of the valve opening as with a "true" VVT system.
Ducati says the benefit of DVT is to allow the variation of valve overlap (i.e. when both valves are open at the same time) – zero overlap will ensure that the engine runs as smoothly as possible at lower revs, while maximum overlap gives the mill greater power and an aggressive character when fully extended.
The result is a 1.2 litre two-cylinder engine that produces 158 hp at 9,600 rpm and 136 Nm at 7,500 rpm, 10 hp and 11 Nm more than the regular Testastretta engine in the current Multistrada 1200 touring bike, while using around 8% less fuel. The engine also meets Euro 4 emissions regulations, a step up from the older mill's Euro 3 specification.
The Testastretta DVT will be making its debut at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan next month, and is rumoured to make its way onto the next Ducati Multistrada, expected to go on sale next year.
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