We’re all set to fly out to Italy tomorrow to see this bugger in the flesh. But images and specs have leaked out already about the new ‘Project 1408’ Ducati. As we predicted, it’s not a 1408cc engine, rather it’s an extreme version of the firm’s V-twin superbike. Extreme in the best way - masses more power, and masses less, er, mass. A hundred and fifty kilos and two hundred and 15 bee-aitch-pee. Ouch. That’s MotoGP territory, and from not that long ago…

How have they done it? Well the base engine is already knocking on the door of a couple of hundred horses, so we guess that with a bit of care, some titanium innards, and perhaps a slightly tighter servicing schedule, you could get up to 215bhp without having to smash the atom. Especially if that figure is a 'track-ready' figure, with no silencing, catalysts or the like.

Losing the weight, again, is simple enough in theory if you have the spondoolicks, and the chutzpah. A carbon fibre frame, wheels and swingarm gets you half way, while taking an angle grinder to stuff like subframes, stands and brackets gets you a bit further. Finally, a titanium exhaust, carbon fibre bodywork, lithium battery and a very minimal approach to stuff like pegs, seat, starter, alternator, will all get you over the line.

Fancy it? Well get your name down early: they’re only making 500 of the buggers, and they’ll reportedly cost $80k apiece. Which was about £4million last time we were at the bureaux de change…

We’ll find out the fine details for sure tomorrow afternoon though - check back then for all the skinny from the Ducati launch party at the Milan show…