2011 Ducati Superbike 1198 on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Report: Ducati Sold to Audi for US$1.13 Billion

Reuters is reporting Audi has reached a deal with Investindustrial to acquire Ducati for a price of 860 million euros (US$1.13 billion). Citing two unnamed sources familiar with the deal, Reuters reports the purchase price includes Ducati‘s debts, estimated by one of those sources at below 200 million euros (US$262.6 million). As previously reported, the deal will be officially announced April 18, ahead of the annual shareholders meeting for Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group.

Piaggio Opening New Design Center in US

Piaggio announced it is opening a new design center in Pasadena, Calif., to be headed by Aprilia RSV4 designer Miguel Galluzzi. Roberto Colaninno, chairman and chief executive officer of  the Piaggio Group, announced plans for the new Advanced Design Center at a dealer convention for the Piaggio Group Americas in Miami, Fla. At the moment, North American customers usually have to wait a little longer before they receive new Piaggio models, with most models arriving on these shores months after they are available in Europe.

Volkswagen Reveals Ducati Panigale-Powered XL Sport

The Volkswagen Group-Ducati relationship has finally birth its first child, with the German manufacturer revealing the XL Sport concept car powered by the 1199 Superleggera‘s V-Twin engine at the Paris Motor Show. Though only a concept model, the XL Sport received the special honor of being the 200 millionth vehicle produced by the Volkswagen. #456475582 / gettyimages.com Based on the earlier limited-production VW XL1 car, the XL Sport swaps out its diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain for Ducati’s 1199cc engine which claims 197 hp and 98.8 ft-lb.