Renowned for its 90-degree L-twin (V-twin for the non-Ducatisti) and V4 engines, Ducati has now come up with an all-new single-cylinder motor, dubbed the Superquadro Mono. This is a big development from the Italian bikemaker, considering the previous single-cylinder Ducati model was seen 30 years ago, in the form of the 1993 Supermono 550!
The new 659cc, dual-overhead cam four-valve unit is derived from the 1,285cc twin-cylinder unit of the 1299 Panigale, and Ducati will reveal the model that will debut this engine on 2nd November, in the fifth episode of the Ducati World Première 2024. In the meantime, here’s a look at the Superquadro Mono’s specifications.
Ducati claims the Superquadro Mono boasts segment-leading performance figures. The Euro 5 homologated unit offers a max. output of 77.5hp @ 9,750rpm, 62.7Nm of torque @ 8,050rpm and a maximum rev limit of 10,250rpm – a figure Ducati states is ‘never achieved before by a road single-cylinder.’ If fitted with a Termignoni race exhaust, the output goes up to an unbelievable 84.5hp @ 9,500rpm and 66.7Nm. That’s a lot of power to harness from just one cylinder!
While the Superquadro Mono is a brand-new engine, it borrows some significant bits from the old unit it is based on. For example, it inherits the 116mm diameter piston, the shape of the combustion chamber, the 46.8mm titanium intake valves, the 38.2mm steel exhaust valves and the famed Desmodromic system from the 1,285cc twin-cylinder unit of the 1299 Panigale.
At this point, if you are wondering about the origins of the name, Ducati has an answer for that as well. The name ‘Superquadro’ comes from the engine’s bore/stroke ratio of 1.86 (116mm bore & 62.4mm stroke) – touted to be the ‘most extreme value ever seen on a road single-cylinder engine’.
To aid this level of performance, the Superquadro Mono engine features world-class systems and materials. The Desmodromic valve system, also used on the Ducati MotoGP bikes, helps with the colossal rev limit. Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) surface coating is found on bits like the piston pin and rocker arms of the valve system.
For effective cooling and weight management, the die-cast engine crankcase has been made from aluminium, and the clutch, alternator and head covers are made of cast magnesium alloy to further reduce weight. Two balancing countershafts mounted on ball bearings inside the crankcase, which also control the water and oil pumps, help limit the vibration levels to that of a comparable 90° V-twin. The engine works with a six-speed gearbox with ratios similar to those seen on the Panigale V4. It can also be equipped with a Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up & Down.
Ducati has also thought about making the Superquadro Mono’s maintenance a bit easier and more manageable. For this, the periodic service interval has been set at 15,000km and the infamous Desmo service (dreaded for being expensive as it demands valve clearance adjustment) will be required at every 30,000km. These intervals are the same as the Multistrada V2’s.