Ducati presents the first motorcycle engine with variable timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. Named Ducati Testastretta DVT, Desmodromic Variable Timing, Ducati’s new Desmodromic engine is the first in the world with variable timing on both inlet and exhaust camshafts, leading the way for a whole new generation of such engines. The innovative, new design overcomes an engineering gap in current production motorcycle engines and underlines Ducati’s strength in developing ground-breaking engine and motorcycle technologies.

The variable timing system is able to continuously adjust valve timing, by acting independently on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The system optimises engine performance throughout the rev range and in any operating condition, to guarantee the highest power, smooth delivery, muscular torque at low rpm and reduced fuel consumption.

New generation
By independently adjusting both the timing of the camshaft controlling intake valves and the timing of the camshaft controlling exhaust valves, the Ducati Testastretta DVT engine optimises high rpm performance for maximum power, while at medium and low rpm, it ensures smooth operation, fluid power delivery and high torque. This means that the vehicle’s engine will adapt its characteristics according to rpm values, while always ensuring compliance with exhaust emission standards and keeping fuel consumption low.

When a new engine is designed, one of the most critical parameters to determine its ‘character’ is the amount of intake and exhaust valve overlap. The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, expressed in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke and is normally a single value that does not change. However, the Testastretta DVT is not limited by a fixed valve overlap angle.

Instead, the Ducati Testastretta DVT’s overlap angles can change, thanks to the introduction of the DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) system: a valve timing adjuster fitted to the end of each of the two camshafts per cylinder head. The DVT system consists of an external housing, rigidly connected to the cam belt pulley, and an internal mechanism which is connected to the camshaft and can independently rotate inside the housing. This rotation of the internal mechanism, either in advance or in delay with respect to the housing, is precisely controlled by varying the oil pressure in special chambers of the mechanism. The oil pressure is adjusted by dedicated valves and the timing of each cam is dynamically controlled by a sensor located in the cam covers.

Desmo attraction
The Ducati Testastretta DVT engine uses the unique valvetrain that made the Bologna-based Italian manufacturer a world-famous name. Thanks to this unique system, the intake and exhaust valves are closed mechanically and with the same level of accuracy as they are opened. This system, used in all Ducati models, has also been extremely successful in Ducati Corse World Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP motorcycles.

In the development of the DVT, the Desmodromic valvetrain represents a major advantage over a traditional spring based timing system; the actuation of the valves at low engine speed requires less force, not having to compress the valve springs, this allowed Ducati to limit the size of each cam phaser with obvious benefits in terms of lightweight construction and compactness for a perfect engine integration.

Ever-present strong torque
With its 106mm bore and 67.9mm stroke for a total capacity of 1,198cc, the newborn Ducati Testastretta DVT engine produces a maximum power of 160hp at 9,500rpm, and a torque up to 136Nm at 7,500rpm with a perfectly linear delivery curve. The torque is already 80Nm at a low-range value of 3,500rpm, and it remains consistently over 100Nm between 5,750 and 9,500rpm. Despite an increase in power, however, the DVT system has a positive impact on fuel efficiency, with an average 8% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous non-variable configuration.

Ducati’s R&D efforts applied to injection systems have repositioned the fuel injectors to target their spray directly onto the rear of the hot intake valve, instead of the colder surface of the intake port wall. The resulting enhanced fuel vapourisation improves combustion efficiency and ensures a smoother delivery.

The Testastretta DVT is equipped with a Dual Spark system that uses two spark plugs per cylinder head, providing a twin flame-front that ensures complete combustion across a very short period of time. Each spark plug is managed independently, to optimise efficiency throughout the rev range and in all conditions of use. An anti-knock sensor ensures safe engine operation even while using lower octane fuel or in situations potentially detrimental to combustion efficiency, e.g. at high altitude. In order to achieve a smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation, Ducati has used a secondary air system similar to that developed for extremely high-performance engines. This optimizes combustion without increasing emissions, by completing the oxidisation of unburned hydrocarbons to reduce HC and CO levels.