Ducati reveals new Diavel V4

In the ongoing rollout of new and upgraded models from Ducati, the Diavel has been presented in 2023 form, with the high-performance cruiser gaining a major update of its powerplant and revisions in other areas for its twelfth year on the market.

Unveiled at the end of October (as the sixth instalment in the ‘Ducati World Premiere’ web series), the key change on the new Diavel is the adoption of the V4 engine that’s already been applied to the Panigale sports bike, Streetfighter naked and Multistrada adventure tourer.

Incorporating this engine in place of the Testastretta v-twin has meant adopting a new chassis, which has resulted in a significant reduction in weight compared to the current Diavel 1260. The new version also gains several styling tweaks and additional tech features.

V4 – wild, but not too wild

Being a cruiser, the Diavel V4 adopts the milder ‘Granturismo’ version of the 1158cc v-four that’s also applied to the Multistrada, but slightly altered, with a peak value of 12.8kgm at 7,500rpm from the Diavel V4 being only 0.5 more than the Multistrada V4.

Unlike the engine applied to the Panigale and Streetfighter, the Granturismo variant of the V4 trades maximum top-end power for more midrange punch, as well as reduced fuel consumption and longer service intervals (for valves) of 60,000km. The latter two assets are thanks to an extended cylinder deactivation system, which shuts off the rear bank when the engine’s at idle or operating at low rpm.

According to Ducati, the Granturismo V4 is the ideal engine for a cruiser like the Diavel, combining linearity at low revs with “vigorous torque” throughout the rev range.

While the 1158cc v-four tops the 1262cc v-twin in terms of power, it’s actually slightly down on torque, with maximums of 124kW at 10,750rpm and 126Nm at 7,500rpm from the new engine versus 119kW at 9,500rpm and 129Nm at 7,500rpm from the old one.

The engine features a counter rotating crankshaft for smoother operation and a dedicated exhaust system with attention to "sound quality" that, according to Ducati, ensures the aural element of the Granturismo V4 matches its performance, with a deeper note when only the front two cylinders are active.

The v-four is also lighter than the v-twin by 5kg, contributing to a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of under 3 seconds.

New Frame

Adopting the Granturismo V4 for the Diavel meant the existing steel trellis frame had to go, replaced by what Ducati calls a monocoque, constructed from aluminium.

The swingarm is aluminium, too, part of an 8kg drop in weight compared to the outgoing Diavel 1260. Combined with the lighter engine, overall weight drops by 13kg to a claimed 223kg dry.

Compared to Triumph’s Rocket III, the new Diavel V4 is almost 100kg lighter, but offers virtually the same power and torque.

Connected to the new lightweight aluminium frame and swingarm are USD forks that remain at 50mm, with a familiar cantilever-pattern monoshock rear end, but both the front and rear suspension units are now fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound.

Suspension travel remains at 120mm on the front end, but rear travel increases 15mm to 145mm, improving rider and pillion comfort.

Braking utlises dual 330mm semi-floating front discs (previously 320mm) with Brembo Stylema 4-piston calipers, with the 265mm rear disc running a Brembo 2-piston caliper.  The larger front discs, increased engine power and lighter overall weight has seen the ABS recalibrated to suit.

Wheels remain at 3.50 x 17-inch front and 8.00 x 17-inch rear, with Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres as standard – 120/70 ZR17 front and 240/45 ZR17 rear.

Seat height increases 10mm to 790mm compared to the Diavel 1260 S (relatively high for a cruiser), while the handlebars have been moved 20mm closer to the rider for both comfort and easier manoeuvrability. Riding position remains closer to ‘upright’ than ‘laid back cruiser,’ with a wide, well-profiled seat that, according to Ducati, offers freedom of movement in every direction, enabling all the Diavel V4’s performance to be exploited by the rider.

A pillion seat remains and is equally wide and spacious, but the pillion seat cover now comes as standard. In concert with this, pillion pegs fold into the subframe and the grab handle telescopes down behind the seat for a clean solo look.

Tech Set for the Wet

Electronics and rider aids on the Diavel V4 are mostly carryover from the Diavel 1260, with three selectable Power Modes and four Riding Modes, now including a 'Wet' mode that's added to the existing Sport, Touring and Urban options.

These modes adjust engine output and throttle response, along with the levels of Cornering ABS and Ducati Traction Control intervention, with the new Wet mode reducing the engine output and upping the interventions.

Ducati Wheelie Control remains, as does the Ducati Power Launch launch control and cruise control. The Ducati Quick Shift up/down quickshifter from the Diavel 1260 S also carries over, allowing clutchless shifting through the six-speed gearbox.

Riding and Power modes are adjustable via backlit controls on the switchblocks and viewable on a new 5-inch TFT dash display, which allows Bluetooth connectivity for phone and music operation, as well as turn-by-turn navigation with the Ducati Link App.

Diavel Style

The new version of the Diavel retains a familiar mass-forward profile (that’s said to be drawn from fields as diverse as muscle car styling and superheroes), with a single-sided swingarm and truncated tail, but the new engine and frame has seen styling changes applied all over the power cruiser.

Losing the distinctive painted trellis frame of the Diavel 1260 is one of the most obvious differences, with the new chassis covered by the radiator intakes and side covers. The four-cylinder powerplant is reflected in four exhaust outlets that are clustered on the offside in a diamond pattern.

The fuel tank, headlight surround and tail unit get a new look, as part of a more angular and muscular appearance compared to the Diavel 1260.

The headlight gets a new look, too, with a ‘double-C’ LED design, while the front indicators move from the lower side covers to the handlebars, mounted ahead of the brake and clutch reservoirs.

The other notable new styling touch on the Diavel V4 is an expansion of the tail light treatment that remains set into the tail itself, but is now a complex ‘honeycomb’ design. Rear indicators remain on the tail tidy.

Finally, the wheels now have an all-new five-spoke design, finished in black with machined surfaces that pick up on the silver accents applied to the engine and intakes.

Available colours for the 2023 Diavel V4 are Classic Ducati Red and Thrilling Black.

Coming in Q2

Australian release of the new Ducati Diavel V4 has been set for April, 2023, with pricing at $41,100 that’s yet to be confirmed. This places it above all bar the XDiavel Nera in the current lineup and almost $3,000 over the Diavel 1260 S.

A range of compatible accessories will be offered from launch, including panniers, a pillion backrest and windscreen for touring, as well as a different exhaust, billet and carbon fibre parts for sportier applications.

For more details and to order, see your Ducati dealer.