Ducati's Diavel V4 has won several design awards while erasing the boundary between a cruiser and a sportbike.

BY VIRAT DESWAL  COURTESY  HOTCARS

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  The Ducati Diavel V4 has received numerous prestigious design awards, making it one of the most beautiful motorcycles in the world.
•  The Diavel V4 stands out from other cruisers due to its unique design and impressive features, such as a single-sided swingarm and a distinctive brake light.
•  With its powerful V4 engine and cutting-edge technology, the Diavel V4 offers exceptional performance, handling, and acceleration, making it a top choice for motorcycle enthusiasts.

In the words of Ducati, the new Diavel V4 "represents the perfect synthesis between a maxi sport naked and a muscle cruiser.” Ducati has also called it a power cruiser. But the term ‘power cruiser’ doesn't even come close to describing this inimitable bike’s abilities.

With the addition of Ducati's V4 Granturismo engine, the Diavel has matured into the bike it was always meant to be, or as it’s known behind closed doors in Borgo Panigale, the 'Mega-Monster.'

Ducati's Diavel V4 unveiled in 2023, has become a global hit in just one year. It has gained recognition from top design institutions, the international press, and enthusiasts worldwide. Undoubtedly, it has become one of the most beautiful motorcycles in the world.

The Diavel V4's distinct design – a mix of muscle, sportiness, exaggeration, and elegance – has earned prestigious awards like the Good Design Award from the "Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design" and a Special Mention for Excellent Product Design at the German Design Awards 2024.

The Good Design Award, established in 1950 in Chicago, is the world's oldest and most esteemed design honor. Meanwhile, the German Design Council gives German Design Awards every two years.

The bike's design also led to the Italian being named the "Most Beautiful Motorcycle" at EICMA 2022. But wait, there’s more. In 2023, it was crowned Cruiser of the Year at the MCN Awards and the Best Cruiser at the Swiss Töff Awards.

A Slew Of Dreamy Details

The quirky, purpose-driven brake light (with integrated turn signals) costs more than the LED headlight and looks like it belongs on a spaceship.

The rear tire of the Diavel also catches the eye, partly thanks to the exposure offered by a single-sided swingarm. The 240/45 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III is gigantic. The fat tire still gives the impression that the bike will handle poorly, but it has served the Diavel 12 years in a row, and we've learned that impression is anything but true.

Despite the Diavel V4's weight of 523 lbs, the steering is surprisingly easy, even at high speeds, according to the unanimous opinion of anyone who’s ever ridden this bike.

The steep rake angle and shortened wheelbase contribute to enhanced handling, making the Diavel V4 remarkably agile for its class.

Ducati also made changes to the chassis just like they did with the iconic Monster. They removed the trellis frame and put in a lighter aluminum monocoque frame attached to the cylinder heads. Some people who like the old style might not be happy, but the weight went down by 10.4 pounds, which is nothing to wrinkle your nose at.

For those who love trellis frames, the subframe still has that design. Let's not forget about the intake, airbox, and amazing exhaust with its cool four-barrel muffler that looks like a Gatling gun.

The latest Diavel V4 may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it's not just a fancy red cruiser. It accelerates 0-60 mph in under three seconds. And if the global consensus is accurate, the bike halts with the intensity of a racer and maneuvers around corners like a top-notch supersport motorcycle.

The motorcycle’s available in two colors: Ducati Red for $26,695 and Thrilling Black for $27,295.

Notable Unique Design Features:

• Fuses the visual auro of naked sport bikes and cruisers
• Cool single-sided swingarm elevates the rear chunky wheel and tire design.
• Muscular design details all around: tank, tail section, belly pan cover, and shot exhaust system
• Distinctively designed LED DRL with a double C-shape for the headlamp
• Unique point LEDs for the LED taillamp

Significant Changes To The Ducati V4 Engine

The V4 mill in the Diavel V4 is the latest version of the Granturismo engine, which was initially introduced in the Multistrada V4 S not too long ago. In the Diavel, the desmodromic valve closure is replaced with springs, and valve maintenance now has a 37,000-mile interval. The Diavel V4 features the Granturismo V4, as seen in the Multistrada, but with updates to the intake, airbox, exhaust, cams, and cam timing.

Here’s what the Diavel V4’s Product Manager Stefano Tarabusi had to say about the new engine:

“We look at this V4 engine as a 360° engine: you have smooth torque in the lower rev range, which translates in a strong midrange but at the higher end of the revs it continues to make power with no limits, much like a sportbike. This is very unique in this category.”

Cutting-Edge Technology

The Granturismo comes with a bunch of electronic rider aids. These include four ride modes, two power levels, three-level lean-sensitive traction control, wheelie control, and launch control.

There are also three levels of ABS, one of which is a track mode that turns off the rear antilock. You control all of this using a lighted switchgear and a 5-inch full-color TFT. Handy illustrations show you what each selection does as you customize the ride modes. If you choose low power, it reduces the power to 115 hp, ideal for a ride around town or for when the road gets splashed by some rain.

The Diavel V4's behavior has also undergone two significant electronic changes. Firstly, there's a modification to the rear cylinder deactivation system. In the previous Granturismo generation, only the rear cylinders were deactivated at idle. However, in the V4, this deactivation now extends beyond idle. In specific situations, not only do the rear cylinders stop firing when the engine is idling at a stop, but they shut off while in motion.

In gears 2-6, when the engine is below 4,000 rpm, and there's low throttle demand, the rear cylinders automatically shut down. This transition happens seamlessly in milliseconds, and you’ll know it has happened only through a change in the exhaust note.

Notable Technology Features:

• A 6-axis inertial platform (6D IMU - Inertial Measurement Unit) is capable of instantly detecting the motorcycle's roll, yaw, and pitch angle.
• Four riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, and Wet
• Ducati Power Launch EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO, Ducati Traction Control EVO2, Ducati Quick Shift Up/Down EVO 2, and Cruise Control are some notable assistive technologies.

Impeccable Stance And Performance

Ducati's designers carefully kept the signature Diavel stance and structure intact, that of a runner crouching at the starting line.

To showcase the Diavel V4's true capabilities, Ducati invited the global press to the top of the only mountain in Abu Dhabi, Jebel Hafeet. This road is famous worldwide for its 60 turns in just 6.64 miles, featuring ultra-grippy corners ranging from hairpins to fast sweepers.

Manufacturers carefully select press launch locations to convey specific messages about their motorcycles. Ducati chose this location to emphasize that the Diavel V4 is a sporty motorcycle, distinct from typical power cruisers designed for stoplight-to-stoplight racing.

Built-in 1980 for sheiks to run wild with their supercars, the road offers nearly perfect pavement and some extended straights to test the V4 thoroughly.

Using a closed road without restrictions to evaluate a street bike that isn't focused on track performance? You need marbles to even think up something like that. Defying all expectations, the Diavel V4 passed the test with flying colors, and everyone has been raving about its mad performance ever since.

2023 Ducati Diavel V4 Specs

(All stats taken from Ducati)

Despite being expensive, Ducati has sold over 45,000 Diavels in the last 12 years. The new V4 model continues in the same vein, offering even more performance and usability. Ultimately, the Diavel V4 provides a high-performance riding experience for hardcore riders, apart from being a gorgeous-looking hooligan,

All the information and specs were sourced from Ducati.

SOURCE:  HOTCARS

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