I've often opined about the sound that Ducati's V4 engine makes, specifically the sound emanating from the brand's Panigale series. It's something that can only be described as otherworldly, supernatural, maybe even devilishly desirable. Even writing about it right now, I can hear its yowl playing in my ears as I clicked through the gears at full chat.
You can't see it, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up.
Yet, more important to the group from Borgo Panigale than one lone aging rider's recollection is Marc Marquez's absolutely dominant show of force during the 2025 MotoGP season. The rider not only wiped the field with just about everyone, apart from his brother, but also wowed with a masterclass in comebacks, and even stunned Ducati's own CEO. Naturally, the team and company want to celebrate the win, along with celebrating Marquez's dominance on the grid.
What better way to do that than a limited edition, special series production of Marquez's championship-winning Panigale V4S? No, it's not a full-on racebike, but it's as close as you can get without spending a cool half a million for the real deal.
The name of the bike is the Ducati Panigale V4 Márquez 2025 World Champion Replica, and the most prominent change across the superbike is its livery, which is almost a carbon copy of Marquez's Grand Prix livery. However, while the base of the motorcycle is the Panigale V4S, there are far more changes occurring both under and above the skin of the superbike.
According to Ducati, the motorcycle's triple clamp features bespoke machining, with the model's name and unit number—of the 293 production motorcycles to be made—the latter of which is also etched onto the ignition key cover. Likewise, each motorcycle comes with a certificate of authenticity, its own motorcycle cover, and will be "delivered in a special personalized box designed to match the livery." Each of the motorcycles will also get an original signature by Marquez on the tank cover.
That, however, isn't all.
If you thought Ducati was about to sell you a standard Marc Marquez Panigale V4S, think again. The company made a host of performance modifications to the 293 motorcycles, including an Akrapovič exhaust and new engine calibration for a total of 218 horsepower, corner sidepods that are based around the aero the team introduced to MotoGP, a set of five-spoke carbon fiber wheels, and Brembo's Front Brake Pro+ front braking system, which has been "homologated for road use" and "increases braking power and performance consistency." There's also a dry clutch, adjustable billet aluminium footpegs, and a GPS module.
Ducati will also add a "billet aluminium racing fuel tank cap, brake caliper shrouds, an open carbon fiber clutch cover, and a license plate holder removal kit." All of it is finished with an Alcantara seat, racing windscreen, and an on-dash animation.
Best of all, however, is the chance to meet up with Marquez sometime next year. Customers will be able to choose to meet at a race weekend or at World Ducati Week next July, which is pretty rad. No word on whether you'd get to race Marquez on the bike, but even with the new 850cc bikes getting their first tests, Marc would probably whoop you.
As for price, Ducati wants a cool $93,000 for the motorcycle, which ain't chump change, but in line with other special, limited edition Ducatis of the past. Plus, you get the whole Marc Marquez meet-and-greet thing, so that alone might be worth it to some. As for right now, I'm just gonna sit here and drool and wonder how far Marquez would be in front of me with him on this and me on his race-winning championship bike. Probably still multiple seconds...
