No, despite the name the Ducati Diavel Diesel isn’t a radical leap into the world of compression-ignition engines for the Italian firm. Instead it’s a tie-in with the Diesel fashion label, following up on the Monster Diesel offered in 2013.
However, Ducati’s own description of the bike is nearly as insane as the idea of powering it with diesel fuel. If you’ll indulge us for a moment, the press release accompanying the bike’s unveiling says that the designers “were inspired by a hyperkinetic dynamism of a post-apocalyptic, retro-futuristic world.” Huh?!
The bike’s covered in brushed steel panels, with visible welding and rivets, which gives the impression it’s a project that hasn’t quite been completed. Despite having the appearance of an unfinished special, the Diavel Diesel is a limited production model. In total, Ducati will be selling 666 of them worldwide – geddit?
The bike’s mechanical spec is stock Diavel, the special parts include bodywork, Diesel logos on the sides and a red LCD dash. There’s also a red finish on the Brembo calipers, Zircotec on the exhausts, a leather seat and a numbered plate on the frame carrying the words ‘Never look back’. That’s not an instruction to be taken too literally – Ducati has also fitted mirrors machined from solid aluminium to allow you to do precisely the opposite.
By Ben Purvis
