Ducati and Mercedes-AMG came together last year when they announced cooperation agreement, besides the AMG logos that are on the factory MotoGP team and being their Official Car Partner, the two companies also did a few various marketing and crossover promos showing off their respective machines and also debuted the Diavel AMG Special Edition

Inspired by the Ducati Streetfighter 848, Mercedes has decided give their new SLK 55 AMG a special ‘Streetfighter Yellow’ paint job’ to show off at the Bologna Motor Show to continue underscoring the importance of their partnership.

Apparently if there is a certain demand, this colour could also be made available as an individual optional extra from the AMG Performance Studio.

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From the new Modena circuit, here are out first impressions on the new 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848. In comparison to the Streetfighter 1198 model, the chassis’ design is completely different: the rake angle has lost 1.5 degrees, going from 25.6° to 24.5° (same angle as the 848 Superbike), while trail has gone from 114 to 103mm.

This is due to the new frame which features a longer back-bone that pushes the load on the upper side of the yoke (looking at the bike from the left side, it looks like the yoke itself has been rotated anti-clockwise). The fork is the same as the Streetfighter 1198, therefore it is longer than the Superbike version. All that gives the front-end good confidence and straightforwardness which ensure maximum fun and excellent handling when leaning in both slow and fast corners.

The engine is very gradual and responsive but at the same time is sweeter and easier to handle than the 1198 version, thanks to the reduced displacement and to 11° distribution scheme (Testastretta) which provides more traction at low revs to the detriment of the performance at high revs. Last but not least, the rear tyre is a 180/70 R17 (Pirelli Diablo rosso Corsa) whose higher shoulder (same size used in Supersport) provides excellent grip while leaning as well as better handling and comfort.

View the full Ducati Streetfighter 848 2012 - Live Test Modena photo gallery

View the full TEST Live Ducati Streetfighter 848 2012 photo gallery

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At the Modena circuit, we’ve carried out a test on the new 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848. According to Ducati - which is really confident in this model - the new Streetfighter 848 is synonymous with sheer fun, thanks to the sophisticated combination between 848 Testastretta 11° engine and the Superbike-derived frame geometry.

View the full Ducati Streetfighter 848 2012 photo gallery

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While our colleague Lorenzo is about to get on track (literally) at the new Modena circuit to test the 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848, we can reveal the technical specs of this remarkable bike. The new Streetfighter 848 is synonymous with pure motorcycling fun, thanks to the sophisticated combination between the brand new 848 Testastretta 11° engine and the new frame geometry, which has been updated to give the bike maximum agility and safe handling. Its improved usability - thanks to a fluid and manageable power delivery - the renewed ergonomics and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) give life to Ducati’s new and exclusive interpretation of the fighter style, which is doomed to succeed.

The 848 Testastretta 11° engine provides 132 Hp and 9.5 Kgm (93.5 Nm) of torque with outstanding fluency, thanks to the innovative wiring diagram which has succesfully been put on trial by Ducati’s own Multistrada e Diavel. The new engine makes the Streefighter a very exciting road experience, with a fully revised frame geometry and the help from the 8 level Ducati Traction Control that gurantee comfortable and safe riding.

The new Streetfighter model boasts a dry weight of 169kg and will be available in the classic red fairing/red frame combination. Beside that, 2 new color scheme will be made available: the catchy Fighter Yellow - which is a deja-vu for Ducati - and the fascinating Dark Stealth, which highlights the Streetfighter’s aggressive nature. Both color schemes will use black steel trellis racing frames. The new Streetfighter 848 will hit the market in November.

View the full 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 gallery

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Well Nicky Hayden teased it last week from Bologna saying that Ducati would be revealing a new bike on Monday (which everyone knew would be the Streetfighter 848), and he was right.

Here’s the first official images of the Italian manufacturers Streetfighter 848, the smaller version of its more powerful and expensive cousin and that the guys from Motoblog.it will get a chance to test next week, so we expect to find out more on how this little beauty handles when put through its paces.

The 848 will make its appearance at the EICMA show and will be available to the public in November, and at the moment Ducati hasn’t revealed specs or prices, just this brief description:

Combining a new and brilliantly engineered 848 Testastretta 11° engine with the enhanced geometry of a chassis that provides confidence-inspiring agility, the Streetfighter 848 has enriched its user-friendliness with a smooth and flexible power delivery, revised ergonomics and Ducati Traction Control.

The Ducati Streetfighter scored a round one knock-out when it entered the ring for the first time at the Milan show back in November 2008, winning the ‘Most Beautiful Bike’ award and raising the bar for extreme nakeds. Its asphalt-ripping reputation became the desire of sport naked connoisseurs throughout the world and the Streetfighter 848 will now widen that appeal even further with enhanced usability.

Available from November 2011 onwards, the new fighter is dressed in red for Ducati traditionalists, while yellow makes a return for mid-range purists and “dark stealth” provides a matte-black reminder of the Streetfighter’s aggressive image.

Continue reading: Ducati 2012 Streetfighter 848 revealed

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In the past, loads of rumors were circulating about a new Ducati naked bike and finally, thanks to these spy shots, we can confirm the existence of the Streetfighter 848. We don’t believe the sighting happened by chance: it’s probably part of a commercial strategy since insiders are saying that this less powerful streetfighter will officially debut at the 2011 Eicma in November.

These shots have been taken just outside Ducati’s HQ in Bologna, Italy, and the first thing we’ve noticed is that the maker has decided to opt for a yellow/mustard colour - not listed in the current SF catalogue - which in the past has always been the tint of choice for smaller sports bikes such as the Ducati 749 and 748.

We’ve also spotted some differences with the current production line such as the swingarm’s screw-nuts - the 1098/SF has six screws while the 848 has one less - and the front fork. In the 848 in fact this bronze- tinted unit differs quite a lot from the S version and it rather reminds us the one mounted on the latest Monster 1100 EVO. As we thought the aesthetic approach hasn’t varied much but the mechanical adjustments are what makes the real difference.

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Ducati is getting busy for its 2012 model year as we expect to see the new Ducati 1199 (or Ducati XTreme) superbike debut at the 2011 EICMA show in November in Milan. In addition to that model getting a grand entrance though, A&R reports that September will see the new 2012 Ducati Streetfighter models debut.

The Ducati Streetfighter 1198 will replace the 1098 model and will get an extra 100cc to do so. The naked bike won’t get the Superbike engine, but rather the motor will be the 11° Testastretta engine as used on the Multistrada and Diavel. No details are available yet on the performance of the new machine, but it should be high enough to let in the Ducati Streetfighter 848.

The latter will become a kind of entry-level model to the Ducati naked bike family, and could use a less powerful Superbike 848 EVO engine to do so. It should continue the success of the Ducati Superbike 848 models and provide a new style for riders coming to the brand. On the design front, both bikes will continue the Streetfighter looks. We’re guessing they will also turn up at EICMA but are apparently getting a pre-release so as not to be overshadowed by the new Superbike when it comes in November.

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