SPY SHOT: New Ducati Supersport S revealed
Ducati have a habit of giving the hordes of Ducatisti who make the pilgrimage to Misano for World Ducati Week a bit of an extra treat. It started in 2014 when the firm hid the Scrambler in a shipping crate and allowed batches of showgoers into the private enclave to feast their eyes on it, well ahead of its official unveil.
Unfortunately for Ducati, and despite their best efforts to try to confiscate them, someone always manages to sneak a camera in, unmasking the private treat to the whole world.
And yes, it's happened again.
No-one seems sure from whom the leaked image originated, but it's appeared on several forums and websites globally.
Ducati's latest WDW treat is codenamed Project 1312 (the thirteenth project bike started in 2012), but we believe it's more likely to be called the 939 Supersport S when it arrives in UK Ducati dealers in mid-2017.
So what do we know about Project 1312 - the new Ducati Supersport S?
MCN's Andy Davidson is at World Ducati Week, and managed to get a couple of sessions inside the private viewing area today, and then secured a world exclusive interview with Project 1312 Product Manager, Paolo Quattrino, who confirmed the new Supersport is much more than a concept, and will arrive in 2017.
"There will be two models, the Supersport and the Supersport S. The main difference is that the S has Öhlins suspension front and rear, and a removable rear seat cowl.
“The start price will be between £10,000 and £10,800 (12-13,000 Euros) for the Supersport, for the S model I cannot say."
The new Supersport is also certain to boast ABS, three rider modes: sport, touring and urban – each linked to the 8-level traction control, Diablo Rosso II tyres and the requisite (but missing on the 959 Panigale) single-sided swingarm. Both models will have fully adjustable suspension.
Expect a full unveil at the Milan show this Autumn, and for the Supersport to arrive in Ducati dealers in late Spring/early Summer 2017.