Ducati to add premium bikes to attract high-end buyers

IdZer0 said:

That's just Audi marketing talking. They think if they mention the word premium enough people will believe it and pay more. I'l still buy a BMW car over Audi any day. I just hope Ducati isn't going to go the same way as Audi, inflated prices but bad service and quality.

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Hmmm... How many Ducs have you owned???

IdZer0 said:

That's just Audi marketing talking. They think if they mention the word premium enough people will believe it and pay more. I'l still buy a BMW car over Audi any day. I just hope Ducati isn't going to go the same way as Audi, inflated prices but bad service and quality.

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This used to be my opinion too. However, in the last decade Audi has done a ton to turn around my opinion while BMW has gone the other direction. Audi has spent hundreds of millions on their motorsport program and have simply dominated ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the highest level, while being very innovative. Also, their sporting street cars (S and especially RS models) have started to consistently beat BMW's M cars in performance and comparisons.

BMW has started to build insanely expensive and bloated M cars, and are losing their touch at creating "real driver's cars". The new 3-series is consistently being beaten in handling and performance comparisons by the Lexus IS350 F-sport and Cadillac ATS (!), and Audi has a true halo car with the R8 and its various incarnations.

Just as Mercedes' AMG division had a marketing tie-up with Ducati before Audi bought them, I believe the Quattro GMBH division of Audi will want to co-brand with Ducati as both companies have the racing history/success and consumer products to back up those performance images.

I can easily envision an 1199RS (as in Audi RS3/RS4/RS5/RS6), built on an 1199R but with HP4 Competition-Package-type upgrades (Gen 2 Ohlins Mechatronic semi-active suspension, CF Wheels, Akrapovic Full Exhaust) being co-marketed with a $195,000 Audi R8 V-10 Plus:



Obviously, this will just be for market positioning and hype for both brands. People will still come into Audi dealerships to buy A4s and A6s while ogling the R8, and riders will leave out of Ducati dealerships on Monsters, 899s, MTS's and Diavels after drooling on the 1199R and 1199RS

Don't care what they come out with - madly in love with my Panigale!

Although I think many of us would be in trouble financially including me if Ducati made a deal with Larini and Lamborghini for a new exhaust system. The sound alone would sell it.

WiseOne said:

Ducati will be more closely associated with Lamborghini in the short term, not Audi. Makes sense.

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Disagreed, VAG will just leave Ducati alone as they have done with Lamborghini. They are really good with having a hands-off approach to how these companies are run. That's why you don't see much overlap between Audi, Porsche and Lambo.

ghostdog6 said:

Maybe they are going to sell this year's GP13s directly to the public since no one in MotoGP seems interested in them.

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That was funny...lol.

WiseOne said:

"More closely associated with Lamborghini than Audi" doesn't say to what degree. There's something coming out in November that has some Lamborghini tie-ins, to what extent, you'll have to wait and see.

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Will they do something similar to the AMG Diavel??? I hope not...that was just pure badging and hype.....

Stw said:

Hmmm... How many Ducs have you owned???

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Touché , lets put it like this; I just hope it doesn't get worse.

Can't wait to see! Price increases....

Audis are FUGLY. I want more Lambo design in the 1249/1299/WhateverTheyCallIt!

Prices for the 1199's are supposed to be staying the same across all models for 2014. No increase.

14 R's are the same already. My local dealer mentioned the others shouldn't increase either.

Increase goes into effect oct 3

Realprop said:

Increase goes into effect oct 3

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Any idea what the increase comprises of???

prices already up at the place I went to today. 1199S ABS up $1K.

BAIBAICOP said:

Don't care what they come out with - madly in love with my Panigale!

Although I think many of us would be in trouble financially including me if Ducati made a deal with Larini and Lamborghini for a new exhaust system. The sound alone would sell it.

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Sound bitter that the R wont be on top anymore lol

d1098man said:

Sound bitter that the R wont be on top anymore lol

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Bikes are like computers....no sense in needing to always have the best...cause the moment you do....it's outclassed by a newer model. Best just to get something you like the looks of and suits you and just enjoy it.

I love my lowly "S" model. Glad I didn't waste the extra money on the "R". Of course it would be nice to have, but not $6K nice. That's $6K I can use toward the next gen ducati that comes out or even a second bike.