An official statement from Shimano about Ultegra electrification neither denies nor confirms (nor troubles word-count worriers).
Shimano, like Apple, believes it suffers when pre-release information is leaked on the internet. Like Apple, Shimano keeps a tight control on who can say what, when and who to.
Usually, Shimano keeps schtum about product speculation but late last year the rumour-mill went into overdrive, with blogs and news sites claiming the Ultregra gruppo would, for sure, go push-button electric in model year 2012. Think Sea Otter.
Di2 - Digital Integrated Intelligence - gets rave reviews for its auto-trim crispiness but you need to be a consultant surgeon on NHS overtime to afford Dura Ace Di2. Di2 Ultegra would bring battery-powered shifting to a much more affordable - but still high-end - price-point. Even some non-pro racers could afford it.
Shimano always makes OEMs swear to secrecy upon pain of non-supply, and journalists privy to advance drooling have to sign away in blood their first born. So it's obvious that any info circulating on the froth and piffle that can be the internet will be unconfirmed at best.
Odd, then, that Shimano Europe felt it needed to release a statement. Get ready; blink after the ad and you'll have skipped it.
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"On the Internet some information was published about Shimano Ultegra Di2. Please note that this is not official Shimano information."
So now you know.
Nothing.
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I would expect Shimano to introduce a new Dura Ace version, and trickle down the existing Di2 to the Ultegra level. This seems to makes the most sense...To wedge an Ultegra level Di2 into the current range would more than likely damage the Dura Ace level (since there wouldn't be a significant technological, material, or functional difference)Alos an Ultegra version that only duplicates the existing Di2 would gain much more than some short term media interest. To introduce a higher end version ends up a double win for Shimano... A new top end for the tech oriented buyer (which also gains more publicity), and a new lower priced "value" (tongue firmly planted in cheek) range. The existing Di2 customer would be miffed, but this is nearly aways the case at the top end of the consumer tech food chain...(ask anyone who spent 7K on a plasma TV a few yrs ago)
Cam MacKenzie Jan 18th 2011 at 6:22PM
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