Italian high performance motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has chosen Altair Engineering, Inc to provide optimization and verification tools of the body parts for the series production models of the Hypermotard 1100 and Hypermotard 1100 S bike models.

Ducati will utilize the Altair HyperWorks, an engineering tool that offers the best solutions in manufacturing processes. Altair HyperWorks uses virtual simulations of development, assembly, and manufacturing operations.

Simone Di Piazza, head of the calculation department at Ducati commeted:
"When we presented the Hypermotard as a concept bike at the EICMA, it was enthusiastically received. International experts and attendees praised both Hypermotard’s outstanding technology and Pierre Terblanche’s excellent design. Everybody at Ducati was extremely pleased that the prototype was awarded ‘Best of Show’ at the Motorcycle Design Association ‘Designers Night.’ Reassured by this successful presentation, we knew it was time to go into series production with the bike, and started the development for series production in March 2006."

He added:
"As soon as we knew we would go into series production with the bike, we started to look for a state-of-the-art simulation tool to deal with the challenges we would have to face. We then learned that HyperWork’s integrated framework fit our needs in the area of structural optimization perfectly. We are confident that HyperWorks is the best choice for us to receive accurate results and to realize this project within the expected time frame."

Meanwhile, Cosimo Panetta, country manager of Altair Engineering in Italy also commented:
"The new Ducati machine is a bike built to turn bikers’ dreams into reality. It is a radical bike that takes power, versatility and performance to a new level, but is also built to be driven every day of the year. I am very proud that HyperWorks was used to put this 95hp - 90CV (66kw) at 7750rpm, 175 kg dry-weight bike from concept into series production. HyperWorks and the Hypermotard not only share a part of their names - they are also both state- of-the-art products. With two wheels, but only one purpose - to thrill, the Hypermotard is a symbol for innovative driving. Similarly, HyperWorks is a suite of products put together to serve one purpose. That is, to accelerate product development - standing for driving innovation at its best."

Well, I think I have to save money and get the Ducati Hypermotard instead of upgrading my Audi S4 parts.