Ducati 899 Panigale against Audi R8 V10 Plus (dynamic)
Ducati 899 Panigale against Audi R8 V10 Plus (dynamic)

Video: Ducati 899 Panigale against Audi R8 V10 Plus (dynamic)

Video: Ducati 899 Panigale against Audi R8 V10 Plus (dynamic)
Video: Ducati 1199 Panigale vs Audi R8 V10 Plus-Drag Test Compare 2024, March
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I had already heard it when I arrived but I wanted to feel it again, so when I was ready to go out to the Jarama Circuit track, I did not start the engine of the Ducati 899 Panigale, I waited for Javier to start with the Audi next to me and enjoy the melody of its ten cylinders. When idling it feels powerful but nothing to do once you engage a gear and catapult forward. The howl of the Lamborghini origin engine is glorious.

Around here you all get to know me and you know of my weakness for twin-cylinder engines so I did not let myself be intimidated by the German trumpets. We start the engine of the little Panigale and its hoarse sound begins to come out in waves from the exhaust outlets located under the engine. We gear first, we accelerate hard, we release the clutch without compassion and thanks to the anti-wheelie system (which by the way acts almost imperceptibly) we launched ourselves to meet the Audi R8 V10 Plus.

ducati_899_panigale_audi_r8_guille_cruzado
ducati_899_panigale_audi_r8_guille_cruzado

He waited for us later and we started shooting together. The first thing I have to tell you is that sharing the track with other motorcycles has nothing to do with sharing it with a car. When we ride several bikes in a group, you always know more or less that the lines are going to be similar or the braking and acceleration points even though there are abysmal piloting differences. A sports car and a motorcycle have quite a few things in common when it comes to riding on the track, so the first few minutes have to be taken very calmly.

It gives a lot of respect to ride close to a car at high speed and the feeling is strange and exciting in equal parts. As we weren't playing anything, we tried to have the best possible time and enjoy the abysmal differences in the strengths of each vehicle.

On the finish line, almost where I, with the Ducati 899 Panigale, was starting to brake hard and downshift, Javier Álvarez in the Audi had just engaged another gear and continued accelerating. The stability and the greater contact surface with the asphalt of its four enormous wheels allowed it to brake incredibly late. It was something that made me feel like when you start riding a bike. I'm not a motorcycling super-pro but see how Javier he took me a fool of meters just braking it was frustrating.

Ducati_899_panigale_audi_r8_guille_cruzado
Ducati_899_panigale_audi_r8_guille_cruzado

Something similar happened at the entrance of the curves, especially the tighter ones, and in the first half of the line. The Audi can afford to squeeze its chassis and withstand greater lateral force to have an upper curve passage. I could see it in the first person mounted on the R8 and your body seems to want to be thrown out the window. Now I understand the reason for bucket seats.

Once we pass the apex of the curve the tables are turned and the lightness of the Ducati 899 Panigale with their infinite better weight / power ratio they make the distances between both rivals shorter. Taking advantage of the Ducati Safety Pack with the traction control in its Race mode we can give gas without fear even with cold tires to gain meters. The engine is sweet in the intermediate zone but when we get to the top of the tachometer the acceleration of the bike is much better.

ducati_899_panigale_audi_r8_guille_cruzado
ducati_899_panigale_audi_r8_guille_cruzado

It is difficult to leave behind a car with that level of performance but in the fast zones I could keep it at bay. The last area of the circuit with the fast right-hand downhill to face the finish line, making good use of the track width from piano to piano, I could gain a stretch, but little by little I saw how once the Audi gained speed, it accelerated faster And it got bigger in my rear view

As I was telling you at the beginning, I knew that he was much better when braking, so about the middle of the straight I would already leave the door wide open for him to safely overtake me once I had to start braking. It is really overwhelming to see such a vehicle pass you with such a difference in speed while a little further ahead start to roar with reductions of its huge engine.

All in all, it was a good day at work. Surrounded by the people who were involved, time flew by and I hope it is not the last time we take the opportunity to put together two amazing machines of the stature of these two. Ducati 899 Panigale and Audi R8 V10 PlusIt has been a pleasure to have you with us.

Note: The Ducati 899 Panigale has been decided for the test by Ducati Ibérica and the Audi R8 V10 Plus It has been loaned by Audi Spain. Gasoline expenses have been borne by the publisher. The photos have been taken by Guille Cruzado.

The equipment used during the test has been: Kabuto Aeroblade III helmet. For more information, see our company relations policy.

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