Ducati look set to unleash a new V4 version of their Diavel power-cruiser, which has been a staple of the Bologna firm’s V-twin line up since 2011. 

Currently powered by a 1262cc liquid-cooled two-pot spewing out an impressive 159bhp and 95lb.ft of torque, the £21,795 bruiser will now join the large-capacity Multistrada and Panigale ranges as a four-cylinder machine.  

Although the bike spotted has been covered in black tape to hide much of the detail, the clearly evident Granturismo V4 engine, sculpted four-exit exhaust, complete switchgear and ‘Diavel V4’ logo stitched into the seat unit, suggest that the finished machine will be revealed very soon.  

Away from the V4 engine, which will be derived from the 1158cc Multistrada unit, the new Diavel retains its traditional raked-out silhouette. The bike we see here is fitted with black fork tubes, rather than gold Öhlins, which suggests this is the base-spec model.  

There’s also a new, more discreet steel trellis frame, and a more upright, repositioned rear shock bolted between the single-sided swingarm and the subframe beneath the seat.  

The swingarm has had a tweak, boasting an obviously different design in front of the rear sprocket, which disguises the rear Brembo brake caliper.  

Other changes include the front discs, which appear to have been lifted from the Multistrada V4, and a host of styling changes – the most obvious being the rims, which are now a five-spoked design. There’s also an ungainly four-exit exhaust that’s sure to divide opinion.  

Although similar to before, the LED headlight and twin flanking air scoops have had a rework, with a new plastic covering obscuring the very top of the front light unit and bridging the gap to the rear of the TFT dash.  

The indicators have gone from being integrated into the shoulder fairings, to sitting in front of the handlebars like tentacles, while the tape can’t disguise the fact that it’ll be available in red. 

Parallel lives: We expect the Diavel to use the 1158cc V4 found in the Multistrada. The current Diavel 1260 range uses the V-twin first found in the now extinct Multistrada 1260. 

Sassy chassis: The new four-exit exhaust pays tribute to the four-cylinder engine inside the updated trellis chassis, but is sure to divide opinion. Tyres are Pirelli Diablos Rosso IIIs.  

Getting flasher: The sleek LED strip indicators mounted in the shoulder fairings are now gone, to be replaced by bar-mounted LED units. 

Off the radar? Ducati were one of the first firms to make use of radar-enabled adaptive cruise control but there’s no obvious sign of it, or blind-spot warning indicators, here. The radar-shaped unit at the base of the headlamp may just be a heat sink for the LED. 

News Editor, sportsbike nut, and racing fan.

© 1955-2022 Bauer Media Group

Bauer Media Group consists of: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number: 01176085, Bauer Radio Ltd, Company Number: 1394141 Registered Office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA H Bauer Publishing, Company Number: LP003328 Registered Office: Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DT. All registered in England and Wales. VAT no 918 5617 01 H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No. 845898)