The protagonist of the sixth episode of the Ducati World Première, the web event that launches the new 2023 products from Borgo Panigale, is the Diavel. And finally the V4 also arrived on this model, after the Panigale, Streetfighter and Multistrada, the muscle bike from the Borgo Panigale factory also adopts the four-cylinder architecture, more precisely the Granturismo version. For the new Diavel therefore, 168 hp and 12,8 kgm of torque, but also many new features!
Already spied at the beginning of September during road tests, the Ducati Diavel V4 was officially unveiled during the sixth episode of the World Première web series that Ducati devoted to the presentation of the 2023 models. It was the penultimate episode, before the one scheduled for Monday November 7 which will close the series. Then the motorcycles will be exhibited at EICMA, to which Ducati returns after a year of absence.
Dare to be bold is the slogan that Ducati has chosen this time, dedicated to a motorcycle that – with the words that come from Bologna – wants to be “exciting, daring and surprising.” Ready to attract all eyes.” The style is muscular, grainy, with broad shoulders and an exhaust with four exposed outlets, which clearly reveals the engine architecture.
Like the first V2, the Diavel V4 is inspired by the world of muscle cars and, seen in profile, it re-proposes the image of an athlete ready to sprint from the starting blocks. The new signature of the front and rear light units is double C and the indicators are full LED. The front daytime running light changes shape, with a double C profile, an evolution of the previous design. In an original way, the rear light is signed by a dot-shaped LED matrix housed under the rear loop: also in this case, the optical signature makes the new Diavel immediately recognizable. The dynamic turn signals are integrated into the handlebars, in front of the hydraulic brake and clutch control reservoirs.
The impressive 240/45-17 rear tire, another distinctive element of the Ducati Diavels, is still present on this model. The wheels are made of five-spoke light alloy, with a profile decorated with machined surfaces.
And like the motorcycle, in addition to characterizing its performance, the engine plays a central role, abandoning the V2 1260 desmo with variable valve timing for the V4 Granturismo already adopted by the Multistrada V4.
With its 1 cc, it develops 158 hp at 168 rpm and with a maximum torque of 10 kgm at 750 rpm, i.e. 12,8 more than on the Multistrada, it is capable of combining linearity at low revs and sustained torque throughout acceleration.
The V4 Granturismo, derived from the Desmosedici Stradale of the Panigale V4 and the Streetfighter V4, has a counter-rotating crankshaft, Twin Pulse firing order and offers the most important maintenance interventions at intervals of 60 km.
It is efficient in terms of fuel consumption and emissions thanks to the extended cylinder deactivation system: the function which deactivates the rear cylinders when the vehicle is stationary and also when driving at low revs in case of reduced engine load .
The extended rear cylinder deactivation system, which allows the engine to operate as a two-cylinder or four-cylinder with an imperceptible transition, generates a variation in exhaust tone when switching from one mode to another: a more deep when only the two front cylinders are active, at higher frequencies when all four cylinders are operating.
The new Diavel V4 has an empty weight of 223 kg, or 13 kg more than the Diavel 1260 S, with an excess weight of 5 kg on the engine and 8 kg on the vehicle.
The chassis features an inverted fork with 50mm forks and a central rear shock, both fully adjustable. The braking system is based on dual 330mm front discs and Brembo Stylema radial calipers. The maximum deceleration values are 11,5 m/s, a value that generally characterizes racing motorcycles. For its part, the 240/45 rear tire and the dedicated gear ratio allow you to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds.
The riding position sees the saddle just 790mm from the ground, central footrests and a handlebar that is high and 20mm closer than the Diavel 1260 for greater ease of use in maneuvers. Comfort is improved compared to the Diavel 1260 thanks to the rear suspension with 15 mm increased travel and the wider, better profiled saddle.
It is also more spacious for the passenger: its footrests fold under the rear buckle and the rear telescopic handle is also retractable. Thanks to the passenger seat cover, supplied as standard, the Diavel V4 quickly transforms from two-seater to single-seater.
The new Diavel V4 will be available in classic Ducati Red for €26 or in glossy Thrilling Black for €390. The Diavel 26S was on sale for €690.
