Ducati Diavel V4: 168 hp at 223 kilo

Since the launch of the Panigale V4, it has not been a question of if, but when that V4 would trickle down to the other model families. After the Panigale, the Superleggera followed and the Streetfighter was revived, with the Superleggera receiving the 998 cc SBK block from the Panigale V4 R and the Streetfighter the 1,103 cc Stradale V4 block from the standard Panigale.

With the Multistrada V4, however, Ducati turned out to have taken a completely different path. The new Granturismo V4 at 1,158 cc not only had the largest displacement of Ducati’s V4 line-up, but was the very first block that no longer had a desmodromic valve drive, but very conventional valve springs. This is to make the block a lot maintenance-friendly.

The new Diavel V4 is now the second model to use the Granturismo V4, which will be a major drain for the purists, but that was also the case with the Multistrada and nevertheless the Multistrada V4 was Ducati’s best-selling model last year . We don’t think that will be any different with the Diavel V4.

Ducati claims a top power of 168 hp at 10,750 rpm, which is a fraction less than in the Multistrada, but 9 hp more than the old Diavel 1260, which has now been cleared. However, the V4 has lost torque, from 129 Nm at 7,500 rpm for the 1260 to 126 Nm at exactly the same speed for the V4.

As far as maintenance costs are concerned, you will improve considerably, not only because adjusting desmodromic valves is much more labour-intensive, but especially because the Granturismo 90° V4 has a maintenance interval for adjusting the valves of only 60,000 kilometers, a record value on the world stage.

In addition to being maintenance-friendly, the Granturismo V4 should also be much more efficient with fuel, thanks to a deactivation system that switches off the rear cylinder bank when you stop at a traffic light, and when driving at low revs when you’re not milking the block.

Perhaps even more important than the better performance that the V4 offers compared to the 1260 (as long as you don’t sprint, during the introduction of the Multi V4 it turned out to be the worst in terms of acceleration against the Multi 1260 in a direct comparison, and that will be no different with the Diavel), is the fact that Ducati has saved a lot of weight with the Diavel V4.

Ducati speaks in its press release of a curb weight without petrol of 223 kg and claims that this is no less than 13 kilos less than the Diavel 1260 (5 kilos on the block and 13 kilos on the chassis), while the 1260 was specified for a curb weight ( with 90% full tank) of 244 kilos and in the specs of the V4 a curb weight (with 90% full tank) of 236 kilos is stated.

Compared to the Diavel 1260, Ducati has slightly modified the riding position, with a slightly higher seat that now sits at 790mm height (from 780mm) and handlebars that are 20mm closer to the rider, giving a slightly more spacious and relaxed seat must have arisen. Comfort should be further enhanced by a 15mm longer rear suspension travel.

As far as electronics are concerned, you can choose from 4 driving modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and the new Wet, designed for low-grip situations. The drive modes control power delivery, throttle response and all electronic aids (inclination dependent traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS).

All that electronic tralala is managed via illuminated buttons on the steering wheel and a new 5″ TFT color display, which can of course be connected to your mobile via Bluetooth and use for calls, text messages and music, or the optional Turn-by- turn navigation system via the Ducati Link App.

The new Diavel V4 is expected to arrive at Ducati dealers from February 2023, but it will require some serious digging. For the Ducati Red version €31,890 (€27,690 BE) has to be debited, while for the Thrilling Black version €32,290 (€27,990 BE) has to be debited.