Ducati Unveils New Scrambler-Style Retro Bike That Could Revive a Legend

A New Special Edition from Ducati

A recent filing with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has hinted at the arrival of a new special-edition motorcycle from Ducati, just in time for the brand’s 100th anniversary. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, which is already preparing to celebrate its centennial year.

2026 will be a momentous year for Ducati as it commemorates the 100th anniversary of its founding. The company has already begun its celebration efforts by introducing a dedicated “Ducati100” logo. Additionally, the brand has created two special test liveries for its factory riders, paying homage to iconic motorcycles from its past. The excitement is further amplified by the announcement of “Ducati Island” in March 2026, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable event.

As it turns out, Ducati has at least one special edition bike release planned for the upcoming year. While only a few details have been uncovered so far, they offer some intriguing insights into what’s coming next.

Caught in the Scramble

The confirmation of this new model comes from Motorcycle.com, which discovered that Ducati has updated its executive order for the 2026 Scrambler with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Among existing models like the Scrambler and the Scrambler Full Throttle, the filing adds a new entry — the Formula ’73 — to the brand’s list of approved motorcycles.

According to the executive order, the Formula ’73 will use the same 803cc V-twin engine found in the Scrambler lineup. However, as Motorcycle.com notes, the absence of the word “Scrambler” in the name suggests that the styling could be quite different.

To that end, Ducati’s choice of the moniker “Formula ’73” likely references the 750 Supersport Desmo that debuted in 1973. If the name is any indication, the Formula ’73 could take the form of a partially faired bike similar to Yamaha’s retro-styled XSR900 GP.

This isn’t the first time that Ducati has paid tribute to an iconic motorcycle from its past with a modern homage. In 2006, the Italian manufacturer celebrated the 1972 Imola 200 with the release of the Paul Smart 1000 LE. Later, it revived the silver paint with a Scrambler-based special edition.

A Momentous Production Bike

For those unfamiliar with Ducati’s history, the 1972 Imola victory was a defining moment for the brand. Up until that point, Ducati had primarily focused on small-bore singles, but a dominant 1-2 finish by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari established instant credibility, especially against competitors like Triumph and MV Agusta.

This performance redefined Ducati’s approach to racing, and it wasn’t long before the bike’s powerful engine could be heard on the streets. By 1973, the brand introduced the 750 Imola racer as a production model known as the 750 Supersport Desmo.

Considering that the desmodromic valves made famous by bikes like the 750 Supersport Desmo remained a core part of the Ducati brand up until recently, it makes sense for the brand to celebrate such a model.

This is especially true in the case of the Scrambler’s 803cc V-twin, which is one of the few engines in Ducati’s lineup that retains these qualities. As an air-cooled Desmo two-valve engine, it may lack the cutting-edge variable timing technology found in faster models like the Diavel or smarter Multistrada. However, this also means it can trace its lineage directly back to the legends that helped define the brand.

More to Come

At this stage, Ducati has yet to officially announce the Formula ’73. However, given that 2026 is just around the corner, we can expect teasers to start appearing soon.