Ducati's 2010 range unveiled at EICMA

Ducati has unveiled new additions to its ever-expanding product range at the EICMA international motorcycle exhibition in Milan, which includes the eagerly anticipated Multistrada 1200 all-rounder, as well as new "Corse" livery for the 1198s, two new Hypermotard 1100evo models, and technical advances in the Monster family - which includes ABS for the first time.

At the Italian's company's press conference, which took place immediately prior to the official opening of the trade show, a new 'celebratory' Ducati Corse logo was also unveiled, which forms the livery basis for two 2010 special editions of the 1198 S and 1198 R superbikes.

Both machines are also equipped with factory team-style aluminium fuel tanks and Ducati Traction Control. They will join the 848 (now available in a dark colour scheme), 1198 and 1198 S in Ducati's 2010 superbike model line-up.

And look out BMW R 1200 GS and Triumph Tiger! The official unveiling of the Multistrada 1200 also created some fanfare, and Ducati claims it's already in the running to take the prize for the "best bike in show".

It has some strong opposition to claim that accolade, but the Multistrada certainly looks like being an all-rounder par excellence with 17-inch cast aluminium wheels on road-based rubber, Ducati's signature trellis chassis, radial brakes, USD forks, all-day ergonomics, single-sided swingarm, and the piece de resistance, the Testastretta engine used on the 1198.

Ducati claims its engineers have "succeeded in harnessing the immense power of this engine, making it smooth and adaptable to any situation". From that, the new Testastretta 11° engine is born, which should vault it to the top of the power stakes in the dual-purpose class at the very least. Whether the rest of the bike fulfils its potential remains to be seen.

Ducati's claiming the four-into-one deal on the Multistrada 1200: supersport, tourer, commuter and off-roader.

Meanwhile, there are now three bikes in the Hypermotard family: the 796, the more powerful 1100EVO and as yet unseen 1100 EVO SP.

The 1100EVO is incredible 7kg lighter and 5hp more powerful than the original 1100, and the 1100EVO SP will push the limits even further with a model intended to perform on the track as well as the street.

As for the Monster family, there are now ABS-equipped versions of the 696 and 1100 (standard and S), and another change is new exhaust guards, which feature a longer shape and provide improved heat protection.

There are also brand new crankcases for the 696 using the die-cast vacuum process, which are a 1.2kg lighter, and there are also now four-way adjustable clutch and brake levers to suit all hand sizes.

No word yet from the Australian Ducati importer about price or availability of the new and updated hardware for 2010.

At the press conference, the president of Ducati, Gabriele Del Torchio also touched on the company's recent performance in a challenging market.

"In 2009 Ducati has faced a year of important challenges, but also one of important opportunities," said Del Torchio. "The challenges arrive from a market that has entered a significant worldwide slump and where the segment in which we operate could have dropped by 35 per cent by the end of this year.

"In this scenario Ducati knew how best to react, so much so that our shares have continuously grown and in 2009 we will register a record share of 7.2 per cent on a worldwide level. This result was achieved by sticking strictly to the objectives we had set ourselves, in relation to the company's three fundamental pillars.

"Firstly, product, with the 2010 innovations the clearest demonstration of how we have followed an intelligent plan for continuous renewal. Then the distribution network, constantly renewed and reinforced to improve and expand the service. Thanks also to the recent opening of stores in Shanghai, Mexico City and in Vietnam, Ducati today distributes in 80 countries of the world.

"Last but not least, the brand. We continue to work on the recognition of our brand name, and above all, on the role that Ducati has as an ambassador of Italian style across the world, a factor that is of fundamental value to us."