2027 Ducati Diavel V4 S: Now with semi-active Öhlins

Since 2010, the Diavel has been playing with ingredients you rarely find on the same bike: cruiser looks, naked bike technology and a healthy dose of Ducati sportiness. The path led from the first generation via the Diavel 1260 to the V4. For the 2027 model year, the family now grows with the addition of the Diavel V4 S. The familiar V4 RS also remains in the line-up. The new S focuses primarily on the chassis, while several technical innovations also benefit the regular Diavel V4.

On the engine side, Ducati stays true to the 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo. According to the manufacturer, the Euro 5+ compliant four-cylinder produces 168 hp at 10,750 rpm and 126 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm, measured at the crankshaft. Bore and stroke are 83 x 53.5 mm, and the engine weighs 66.7 kg. Four elliptical throttle bodies, each with one injector, have an equivalent diameter of 46 mm. The engine acts as a stressed member of the chassis.

The counter-rotating crankshaft counteracts the gyroscopic forces of the wheels. The Twin Pulse firing order is created by crankpins offset by 70 degrees. Ducati promises strong power delivery and a characteristic sound. At small throttle openings, a new electronic control strategy is designed to anticipate the slack in the chain drive and soften load changes. Especially in the low and mid rev range, this should make the V4 smoother to meter.

The rear cylinder bank is deactivated at standstill and, under certain conditions, also at low revs while riding. This is intended to reduce fuel consumption and heat for rider and pillion. As soon as revs or torque demand rise, all four cylinders are back at work. The function is active in all riding modes and also changes the exhaust note. Maintenance intervals: oil change every 15,000 kilometres or two years, valve clearance check after 60,000 kilometres.

The gearshift also gets an update. The Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 enables clutchless up- and downshifts and replaces the previous Hall-effect microswitch actuation with a direct mechanical linkage. A sensor detects the engaged gear and shift drum position to recognise the shift request. In addition, the gear lever now pivots on bearings instead of plain bushings. According to Ducati, less friction and play as well as shorter lever travel should deliver a more direct, precise shift feel. As a bonus, the left footpeg area looks tidier.

The real case for the S sits front and rear: for the first time, the Diavel gets semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 suspension. Up front there is a fully adjustable NIX30 fork with 48 mm stanchions and TiN coating, at the rear an ARX40 shock. The system uses data from the six-axis IMU and adapts damping to braking, acceleration and cornering. Spool valves are said to allow faster reactions and a wider adjustment range. The three suspension modes are called Dynamic, Comfort and Low Grip and are linked to the riding modes.

Via the extended OBTi interface, the interventions can be adjusted for different riding situations, now also separately for the initial acceleration phase. In sporty settings, a new strategy increases fork rebound damping after the brake is released. This should keep the front end calmer and let the bike hold tighter lines. When Cruise Detection recognises steady riding, for example on the motorway, the damping softens. So the electronics are meant to think ahead both in the twisties and on the ride there.

The regular Diavel V4 continues to use a fully adjustable 50 mm upside-down fork and a fully adjustable shock with reservoir. On the fork, compression and preload are adjusted on the left, rebound on the right. Suspension travel is 120 mm front and 145 mm rear. At the rear, that is 15 mm more than on the Diavel 1260.

An aluminium monocoque, aluminium single-sided swingarm and steel trellis subframe form the basis. The frame is attached to the cylinder heads. Ducati quotes a 1,593 mm wheelbase, 26 degrees of rake and 112 mm of trail. The steel tank holds 20 litres. According to the manufacturer, the S weighs 222 kg ready to ride without fuel, the standard version 225 kg in the same condition. Lighter wheels and the lithium battery are meant to offset the extra weight of the semi-active suspension and Euro 5+ exhaust on the S.

The new five-spoke wheels measure 3.5 x 17 inches front and 8.0 x 17 inches rear. On the S, the spokes are additionally machined. They are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV in 120/70 ZR17 and 240/45 ZR17. Together with the wheels, Ducati says they should deliver more neutral cornering and better line holding. Braking up front is handled by two floating 330 mm discs, radially mounted Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers and a PR16/19 radial master cylinder with integrated aluminium reservoir. At the rear, a 265 mm disc and a Brembo two-piston caliper do the work.

The 240 rear tyre remains the big visual statement. For 2027, air intakes inspired by the Diavel V4 RS, new side panels, a slimmer instrument cover and a redesigned single-seat tail are added. The side-mounted exhaust keeps its four tailpipes and gets a new cover. Up front, the LED daytime running light forms a double C, while at the rear the LED matrix under the tail picks up the motif. Dynamic indicators are integrated into the handlebar ahead of the brake and clutch controls, depending on the respective homologation.

The seat height is 790 mm. The redesigned seat is said to offer more fore-and-aft room, support under acceleration and freedom of movement when leaned over. Add to that centrally positioned footpegs and a wide, high handlebar which, as on the previous V4 model, sits 20 mm closer to the rider than on the 1260. For the pillion, there is a wide, padded seat as well as retractable footpegs and an extendable grab handle. The pillion seat comes as standard and replaces the tail cover when needed.

The six-axis IMU from Bosch provides the basis for Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO and Ducati Power Launch EVO. Add to that the quickshifter and cruise control. The four riding modes Sport, Touring, Urban and Wet can be customised and reset to factory settings. Sport combines full power with direct throttle response, restrained traction and wheelie control and ABS level 2. Touring keeps full power, responds more gently and uses stronger interventions as well as ABS level 3.

Urban and Wet use the Low Power Mode with 115 hp at 8,750 rpm and 114 Nm at 5,750 rpm. Urban combines this with high intervention levels of traction and wheelie control as well as ABS level 3. Wet is tuned for low grip and particularly gentle throttle response. So the three Power Modes High, Medium and Low differ in more than just output. High and Medium both deliver 168 hp and 126 Nm but react differently to the throttle.

The ABS offers three levels. Level 1 works on the front only, without cornering function or rear-wheel lift detection, which still allows the rear to be stepped out under braking. Level 2 retains the cornering function but dispenses with lift detection. Level 3 activates both and optimises the interplay of front and rear brakes. Besides lean angle and current slip, the traction control also takes into account how quickly the slip is changing. It can act on ignition, injection and throttle valves and offers four levels, one of them for wet conditions. The wheelie control is also adjustable in four levels.

Power Launch offers three levels and, at launch, first controls revs, then torque delivery. The rider engages first gear, opens the throttle fully and modulates the clutch, with traction and wheelie control assisting. The function ends above a certain speed or when shifting into third gear. To protect the clutch, an algorithm limits the number of consecutive launches. The new display then shows acceleration times for 0 to 100 and 0 to 200 km/h and stores best times.

The new 6.9-inch TFT in 8:3 format uses optical bonding and is operated via rocker switches on the left handlebar. The Road view divides the screen into three areas: in the centre the rev counter and gear indicator, on the left settings, navigation, music and smartphone functions among others, on the right speed, time, coolant temperature and cruise control status. For navigation or other views, the columns can change their size and position. A tyre pressure display can also be shown in the corresponding layout.

New additions are the real-time graphic display of traction and wheelie control interventions and standard turn-by-turn navigation. At the top sit a yellow warning LED for the rider aids and a red one for shift and rev alerts. On reserve, the fuel bar and remaining range stay visible. Ducati Multimedia System, Bluetooth and the Ducati Link App are integrated, and a new USB-C socket in the cockpit delivers 20 watts. The S comes as standard with heated grips in the same design as the regular grips and a lithium battery. The base model has unheated grips and a lead-acid battery.

The hands-free system detects the electronic key at a distance of around 1.5 metres and allows the bike to be switched on at the push of a button. The steering lock is also electrically operated. After switching off, the Coming Home function briefly keeps the low beam on in darkness and the daytime running light on in daylight.

With Ducati Factory Made, the Diavel can be configured right at purchase, with the chosen parts fitted directly at the factory. The colour families are Icon with Ducati Red and Ducati Yellow, Style with Thrilling Black and Sandstone, and Sophistication with Dark Stealth and Silver Ice. The S adds Ducati Corse, Performance and five colours from the Lamborghini Ad Personam programme. Anyone who'd rather show off their own taste outside the ice cream parlour gets plenty of choice.

The programme also includes wheels, brake calipers, special seats, semi-rigid side cases with pillion backrest and accessory packs right up to a dry clutch. The Ducati Performance catalogue lists complete racing exhaust systems, open dry clutch kits, billet aluminium parts and carbon components. For the exhaust and clutch offerings marked with an asterisk, Ducati refers to the respective homologation. The new Diavel V4 and V4 S are set to arrive at Italian dealers first from January, with further markets following gradually.

What sets the Diavel V4 S apart from the regular V4? The S gets semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 3.0, additionally machined wheels, a lithium battery and standard heated grips. It also has access to all Factory Made colour options. According to Ducati, it weighs three kilograms less without fuel.

How much power does the 2027 Ducati Diavel V4 S have? The 1,158 cc V4 delivers 168 hp at 10,750 rpm and 126 Nm at 7,500 rpm. These figures also apply to the regular Diavel V4.

What updates do both Diavel versions get? These include revised throttle response, Quickshifter 2.0, new design parts and wheels, Diablo Rosso IV tyres, the 6.9-inch TFT, standard navigation, USB-C and Ducati Factory Made.

How well suited to everyday use are the features? Ducati combines a 790 mm seat height and a 20-litre tank with cruise control, a hands-free system and smartphone connectivity. The pillion seat is included, and the grab handle and footpegs can be stowed for the solo configuration.

What maintenance intervals does Ducati specify? An oil change is due every 15,000 kilometres or two years, the valve clearance check after 60,000 kilometres.