The Italian high performance motorcycle manufacturer Ducati now releases the latest item on its product lineup - the Monster 696.

For the 2008 model year, Ducati gave the Monster 696 with a refined styling, new features, and sophisticated powertrain and other technical components. The new 2008 Ducati Monster 696 receives increase in horsepower as well as peak torque output.

According to a Ducati official press release, "The new Ducati Monster 696 is the next generation naked and the final word in urban excitement. Ride the Monster 696 around your favourite downtown routes in relaxed style or, when the spirit moves you, unleash its dark side to deliver more naked performance than ever before."

Notable features of the new 2008 Ducati Monster 696 bike include the
large diameter Hybrid Trellis frame and twin bold Ducati-style mufflers at the rear. The bike also features quickly removable rear seat cover. Well, although the Monster 696 doesn’t feature AFE cold air intakes, check out below for the details and other technical specs of the 2008 Ducati Monster 696:

- 696 cc engine
- Power output: 80 hp (59 kW) and 50.6 lb ft of torque
- New cylinder heads
- Bore and stroke with 88 x 57.2 mm diameter
- New shape cylinder heads
- Advanced APTC clutch
- New Hybrid Trellis frame with larger diameter tubes
- Rear aluminium sub-frame
- Front brake system with two 320 mm discs and four-piston radial calipers
- Dual-sided aluminium swingarm
- Totally digital instrumentation
- New exhaust system with re-routed downpipes
- Headlamp unit with a new triple arc main beam
- Rear light that uses modern LED technology
- Lightest bike in its category (359 lbs – 163 Kg)

However, Ducati did not release the availability and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of this model. Watch out for other updates soon.