The first Diavel debuted in 2010 with the theory of putting a superbike-spec engine into a cruiser chassis as the ultimate hot-rod boulevard brawler. Thirteen years on, the theory remains the same but with added tech and a whole different engine to showcase.
With the success of Ducati’s V4 engine in MotoGP and Superbike racing, it was only a matter of time before the Diavel would cop a major overhaul and a V4 engine. Ducati didn’t hold back either; the Diavel is new from the ground up and it is every bit the weapon it should be but with all the modern technology and poise.
The centrepiece of the Diavel is the 1158cc 90º V4 Granturismo engine. And what a centrepiece it is. It pumps out a lazy 124kW (168hp) of power and 126Nm of torque. Diehard Desmo fans will shed a tear at the thought of valve springs featuring inside the Diavel’s heart instead of Ducati’s famous desmodromic valvetrain, but every cloud has a silver lining and in this case, it’s a much quieter valvetrain and long 60,000km valve check intervals.
The Granturismo V4 engine sounds huge and thunderous, but it’s actually quite a small package and the rear cylinders are hidden by a
