Satellite Ducati Team Reveals Desmosedici GP12 Specs

Ducati continues to be tight-lipped about the 2012 edition of its Desmosedici MotoGP race bike, but specifications have finally emerged, thanks to satellite rider Karel Abraham and the Cardion AB satellite team. As a satellite entry, Cardion AB and Abraham won’t have the latest updates to the Desmosedici the factory team has access to, but the Czech team’s announcement reveals some of the basis behind the final machine riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will ride.

The Czech team revealed on its official webpage its Ducati Desmosedici GP12 will produce around 250 hp from its 999cc engine. That represents a 15hp bump from the GP11′s 800cc engine. Cardion AB also says the GP12 will have a dry weight of 155kg (341.7 pounds), about 5kg heavier than the Desmosedici GP11 (330.7 pounds). By the team’s calculations, the Desmosedici GP12 will have a 0 to 100 kph time of 2.6 seconds compared to the previous bike’s 2.7 seconds. Cardion AB also says the GP12 will also reach speeds exceeding 360 kph (223.7 mph) while the GP11 maxed out at about 340 kph (211.3 mph).

The biggest change is the Desmosedici GP12′s deltabox aluminum frame which replaces the previous bike’s carbon monocoque frame. The carbon frame has proven to be unsuccessful compared to the aluminum beam design which Ducati’s competitors Honda and Yamaha have been using. The change is a bit of a marketing blow to Ducati, as its 1199 Panigale superbike uses the monocoque design.

The engine will be a 90-degree V4 displacing 999cc to meet MotoGP’s new 1000cc displacement limit. Each cylinder will have four valves which are controlled by Ducati’s signature desmodromic valve system. As a non-CRT entry, Cardion AB will be allotted six engines for the 2012 season while the fuel tank will be restricted to 21 liters (CRT entries get 12 engines and 24 liter fuel tanks.)

Öhlins supplies the Desmosedici’s front and rear suspension including the 48mm fork. Brembo provides the GP12′s four-piston double-disc front and two-piston rear brakes. The wheels are 16.5 inch Marchesinis shod by rubbers from MotoGP tire provider Bridgestone.

In 2011, Ducati added wings to the fairing just ahead of the side vents to create down force and keep the front end planted. Abraham’s GP12 however will do without them.

As for the factory team, we’ll have to wait until Ducati reveals the official details for Rossi’s and Hayden’s Desmosedici GP12s. Ducati Corse boss Filippo Preziosi revealed at last week’s Wrooom media event their GP12 racebikes will be 90% new, with what would normally be two years’ worth of development compressed into a few months.

Ducati just completed a private test at Spain’s Jerez circuit with reigning World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini as test riders. Rossi and Hayden will get their turns on the GP12 at the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 winter test in Sepang, Malaysia.

[Source: Cardion AB]

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By Dennis Chung