DUCATI this week celebrated the start of production of its Panigale V4, the Italian marque's first ever mass-produced four-cylinder motorcycle.

With a 1103cc powertrain derived directly from the firm's Desmosedici MotoGP bike, the V4 will bring premier-class racing technology to the masses, with a starting price of £19,250 from January.

It makes a claimed 214hp and boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 1.1 hp/kg thanks to a kerb weight of 198kg.

The even higher-spec Panigale V4 Speciale makes a claimed 226hp with a weight of 195kg.

Ducati held a small ceremony at the factory in Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Italy, on Wednesday, with CEO Claudio Domenicali and Plant Director Silvano Fini drinking a toast of Prosecco to mark the switching on of the first production bike, with bodywork yet to be added.

Let’s hope this one doesn’t get knocked over, like the one on Ducati’s stand at the EICMA show in Milan did.

Read more about the Panigale V4 here.