A new Ducati Diavel has been spotted testing with a V4 engine at its heart. Ducati has been slowly but surely moving away from their L-Twin layout, switching their flagship superbike and ADV Tourer over to a V4 engine. The Diavel V4 does away with the trellis frame and the L-Twin engine layout that’s found on the current Diavel 1260.
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Diavel V4 engine likely borrowed from Multistrada V4
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All-new chassis to accommodate the V4 powerhouse
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New single-piece TFT dash does away with split layout
Ducati Diavel V4: engine, underpinnings and electronics
Considering the fact that the Diavel and Multistrada have almost always used the same engine (with minor tweaks), first with the 1200 and lately the 1260, it is likely that the V4 Granturismo engine will be carried over as well. The 1,158cc 90-degree V4 churns out 170hp at 10,500rpm and 125Nm at 8,750rpm in the Multistrada but, considering the Diavel’s intended usage is for shorter bursts rather than long stints in the saddle, the engine might receive some tweaks for a more potent mid-range.
A new monocoque frame will replace the erstwhile trellis frame, a Ducati hallmark that has slowly been fading away in the last decade. As is the case with nearly all modern-day Ducatis, a comprehensive suite of electronic rider aids will be on offer to help the rider put all that power down.
Ducati Diavel V4: new design language
The current Diavel 1260 is a burly machine, to say the least, and with the Diavel V4, Ducati aims to continue down this road. While the overall design is hidden by the heavy camouflage, we can make out a number of shrouds and edgy panels aimed at sprucing up the Diavel’s mean silhouette. With all the changes made to the engine and chassis, the single-sided swingarm is carried over, which will be music to the ears of the ardent Ducatisti.
What particularly catches attention is the single-piece exhaust with quad exits, which is unlike anything currently out there. While this is still a test mule that has been spotted, it does appear to be a final prototype, so this outlandish exhaust design should carry over to the final bike.
Ducati Diavel V4: price, variants, India launch
Considering the fact that this is a ground-up redesign and not just a nip-and-tuck job, expect an equivalent bump in pricing as well. The bike in these images appears to have a manually-adjustable fork and shock, meaning it is likely the base variant. And as is the case currently, there will be a more higher-spec S version with Ohlins suspension and lighter wheels on offer. One thing to note here is that the S model does not get semi-active Ohlins suspension units, instead opting for manually-adjustable units. Currently, the Diavel 1260 retails for Rs 20.49 lakh and the higher-spec S model will set you back by Rs 23.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
This bike is very likely among the new models set to be launched by Ducati as part of its World Premiere series, and we expect it to make it to India shortly after its international debut. This new Diavel V4 also heralds the arrival of a new XDiavel V4 with similar changes, which will probably be launched further down the road.
Would you go for the Diavel V4 over its L-Twin iteration? Let us know in the comments section below.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
