Ducat Hypermotard 950 Concept Awarded Best In Class

The Italian powerhouse’s design team yanks the cover off a gussied up “concept” version of the brand’s classic hooligan machine.

After recently being awarded the highly coveted Red Dot Award for “Best of the Best” in the product design category for its Diavel 1260 power cruiser, Ducati’s world-renowned design team has been recognized once again for their topnotch work. This time the Italian studio cooked up a tastefully modified version of one of the firm’s most popular models which claimed first place at this year’s Concours d'Elegance of Villa d'Este in the “Concept Bikes: New Design and Prototypes by Manufacturers and Independents” category.

Three Days Of Vintage Elegance

Held over the weekend on May 24 through 26, 2019 on two sprawling mansions on the shores of Italy’s famous Lake Como, this year’s theme was "The Symphony of Engines: 90 years of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este". In addition to the wide array of spectacular vintage car and motorcycle specimens on exhibition, a number of high-end marques also took the opportunity to display some of their latest concept offerings. MV Agusta showed off its gorgeous Super Veloce 800 concept (which is headed to production!), BMW pulled the cover of its 1930s-inspired “Concept R18”, and last, but not least, Ducati unveiled what it’s simply calling the “Hypermotard 950 Concept”.

“Style concepts are useful for presenting new elements, in this case, the graphic design in particular, and for evaluating the reactions they inspire,” explained Andrea Ferraresi, director of the Centro Stile Ducati. “Given the importance and attention that we dedicate to style, one of the basic values of our company, receiving awards on occasions such as this one always makes us extremely proud.”

Roots Of A Two-Wheeled Icon

Since being released a 15-years-ago, the Ducati Hypermotard has set the standard in high-end hooliganism. Despite its weight, the model is still a wildly capable Supermoto machine, with shockingly sporty performance considering its relatively tall height. Anyone who rides a Hypermotard will instantly understand the appeal, as it’s truly one of the most smile-inducing two-wheelers ever created, with the most common complaint being that its performance inspires the kind of riding that can jeopardize one’s license.

From Stocker To Award-Winning Concept

Designed by Centro Stile Ducati — the Bologna brand’s design and style division — this award-winning two-wheeler is more a modified production offering than it is a “concept”, though regardless of what you call it, it’s absolutely stunning. In a nutshell, the “concept” is comprised of the base-model Hypermotard — not the SP-spec — that’s been given a motocross-style graphics kit and a smattering of top-shelf, bolt-on aftermarket goodies from the make’s Ducati Performance catalog.

Performance Parts & Paint

The build list includes a fender eliminator kit and deleted mirrors, Ducati Performance hand/lever guards, dry clutch with carbon fiber cover, and featherweight heel guards, as well as carbon timing-belt covers subtly concealed beneath the Ducati’s blacked out trellis frame. Another subtle change is the stocker’s 45mm Marzocchi fork which now appears to be slotted in a custom set of contrast cut CNC’d triples — an item that pairs wonderfully with the motard’s stock carbon fenders.

A custom red seat baring the Ducati logo compliments the new livery, and the factory trellis-style subframe has been jettisoned in favor of a new, single-piece side cover that appears to be of the brushed aluminum variety. The use of graphics kits is almost exclusively seen on models in the MX segment, though as something of the ultimate top-shelf hooligan Supermoto machine, the urban-inspired graphics package on the 950 concept highlights the Hypermotard’s Sumo roots and capabilities, as well as its racing prowess via a hint of MotoGP flavor. The rims have also been hit with a Supermoto-style half-paint-job, which looks great but for whatever reason extends onto the sidewall of the tire which we don’t love.

Preproduction Phase Or One-Off Design Exercise?

Whether or not Ducati will introduce an add-on graphics kit option (or option_s_) for its potent motard is still completely unknown. Either way, it’s great to know that the iconic Italian outfit is constantly kicking around novel style ideas behind closed doors. For more info on the Ducati Hypermotard 950 Concept, you can visit the official company website. If you want to read about a modified top-shelf supermoto that you can actually purchase, we recommend checking out the WR450-based Robobox Splice.