Autoblog

AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Motorcycle, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz has cobbled together a behind-the-scenes video chronicling a photo shoot with two stars: the 451-horseepower C63 AMG Coupe and a Ducati 848 in matching white. Deviating from the behind-the-scenes template, this one is more like a series of rushes set to music. In addition to the mechanical eye candy, a pair of models feature prominently (as suggested by the screencap above). The action takes place on an Iberian runway, and you'll find it after the jump.

Continue reading AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot

AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final laps of 2011 Daytona 200 lead to controversy, Ducati's first victory [w/video]

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

Jason DiSalvo wins the 2011 Daytona 200 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While this year's Daytona 200 was a great day for Ducati and its 848 EVO, it left something to be desired for everyone else. The race was blighted by tire issues, a bad final-lap crash that the riders were lucky to walk away from and a controversy stemming from Ducati's win.

The controversy started with a red flag late in the race and a mandatory tire change for all riders. On the same lap, Ducati rider Jason DiSalvo blew a cylinder on his machine. Eventually, race officials decided to re-start around 3:30 and run the rest of the 200 as a 15-lap sprint to the finish. Besides angering fans who paid to see a 200-mile single race and would end up with 147 miles over two races, the delay allowed DiSalvo's team time to change his blown engine.

With permission from the AMA, DiSalvo was back in the race. In the final seconds of the all-out 15-lap sprint to the finish, DiSalvo passed Cory West on a draft to take the win. That wasn't the end, though. Since there had been a red flag, there was some confusion as to who should be crowned the victor.

There was talk of letting the results from the lap before the red flag stand. That would have meant the race ended with Josh Herrin out front, JD Beach in second and Jake Zemke third. Officials decided, however, that since the top six riders had crossed the line before the red flag fell and everyone else was still on the previous lap, the results from the 15-lap sprint would decide the winner.

That meant that Jason Di Salvo, who before the red flag was out of the race, was crowned race winner, followed by Cory West and Jake Zemke. The result was no doubt a great moment for Ducati and DiSalvo, but left the guys who were ahead before the red flag and the fans who saw a shortened race feeling understandably spurned.

Click past the jump for a press release from Ducati celebrating the victory and a video of the closing laps of the 2011 Daytona 200.

Gallery: Jason DiSalvo wins the 2011 Daytona 200

[Source: Motorcycle USA, Axis Of Oversteer, Ducati]

Continue reading Final laps of 2011 Daytona 200 lead to controversy, Ducati's first victory [w/video]

Final laps of 2011 Daytona 200 lead to controversy, Ducati's first victory [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati announces the EVO-lution of its middleweight 848 sportbike

Devon Brozek — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Ducati 848 EVO - Click above for high-res image gallery

At its very core, the Ducati brand has always been all about a race-bred pedigree, and now amongst a pack of formidable competitors, the Italian company seeks to emerge on top of the middleweight battle by having the fittest steed in the paddock. Meet the new 848 EVO sport bike, which boasts performance upgrades aplenty over the previous 848.

The heart of the new machine will beat to a faster tempo as a modified engine now churns out 140 horsepower and 72.3 pound-feet of twist before reaching its crescendo at 10,500 rpm. That's up six ponies from the last 848.

All new cylinder heads, pistons, throttle bodies and camshafts wrapped in a blacked-out engine case are responsible for making the EVO the most powerful two-wheeler in its class. Were guessing the 369lb package will make easy work of a stoplight or starting grid launch with those specs. For those keeping track of such things, the 848 EVO's power-to-weight ratio bests that of the best literbikes from a decade ago.

Continued evolution aimed at harnessing the beast comes in the form of all new single piece Brembo Monobloc calipers offering higher levels of rigidity to resist performance robbing distortion in those way-past-the-mark braking situations. Improved rider feel at the controls will not only be aided by the braking system but also a cross-mounted steering stabilizer. All of these performance and handling improvements are claimed to be a direct result of pro racing feedback, coupled with consumer demand.

Ducati's EVO-ised middleweight will arrive as a 2011 model in North American dealerships as early as late August. One thing that will not be changed, however, will be the price of admission, which remains at $12,995 for an all new, and much more sinister looking, truly black Dark Edition, or $13,995 if your heart desires timeless Ducati Red. Hit the jump to view the full press release. Oh, and we'll see if we can't snag some live shots at the bike's unveiling this weekend at the MotoGP race. Stay tuned!

Gallery: 2011 Ducati 848 EVO

[Source:Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati announces the EVO-lution of its middleweight 848 sportbike

Ducati announces the EVO-lution of its middleweight 848 sportbike originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati launches 848 Nicky Hayden Special Edition at U.S. Grand Prix

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle

2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ducati is using this weekend's Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California as the backdrop to launch its new 848 Nicky Hayden Special Edition sportbike. The new machine, which will only be available here in the States, features the same 134-horsepower L-twin Evoluzione powerplant, wet-clutch and six-speed gearbox as the rest of the 848 line.

As the first of the 2010 848s introduced, the new Special Edition ushers in a revised LED dash cluster, optional 30mm mirror extensions for those with long-torsos and improved aluminum cam belt tensioner pulleys to go along with its new patriotic livery.

The 848 Nicky Hayden SE will carry a $14,495 sticker price - a reasonable $500 over the asking price for last year's 848 - and will hit Ducati dealerships in America on July 7th after being on display throughout the U.S. GP festivities starting on the 4th. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Special Edition

Continue reading Ducati launches 848 Nicky Hayden Special Edition at U.S. Grand Prix

Ducati launches 848 Nicky Hayden Special Edition at U.S. Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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