Ducati and Bentley revealed the Ducati Diavel for Bentley Friday, a jointly-developed limited-edition motorcycle in an unusual crossbreeding of two brands owned by The Volkswagen Group. The new bike was unveiled today at an exclusive event at Art Basel in Miami. The new motorcycle will be limited to 500 examples, plus an additional 50 Ducati Diavel for Bentley Mulliner units.
The inspiration for the new bikes was the Bentley Batur, the most powerful production Bentley ever built, with a 730-horsepower W12 engine. Odds are you’ve never seen one in person; 18 were hand-built by Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house Bespoke division.
Finished in Scarab Green, the Ducati Diavel V4 was thoroughly modified by incorporating the Batur’s features. The visual connection between the motorbike and the car can most clearly be seen from the side, where the bike’s lines are truly pulled from the car. Check out the forged rims, finished in a mix of machine-metal and Dark Titanium Satin. It’s straight off the car. The Batur’s two-tone grille is reflected in the Diavel’s side air intakes. Other shapes and surfaces are pulled from the Batur, such as the triangular rear extractors and the single-seater tail, which can be replaced with a passenger seat.
Not surprisingly, many of the Diavel’s components are carbon fiber, including the fenders, headlamp cover, engine, exhaust and radiator covers, radiator shrouds, side panels and the tail piece. Even the seat references the car’s interior.
But that’s merely the Ducati Diavel for Bentley. The 50 Mulliner bikes go even further and will be available solely to Mulliner customers. They will be able to work with designers at Centro Stile Ducati to configure their Diavel’s saddle, front brake calipers, carbon fiber parts and rim colors. In addition, they can match their motorbike’s body color to their car’s, or choose one from an exclusive palette by Mulliner.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the Diavel’s 1,158-cc V4 Granturismo engine, which generates a torquey 168 horsepower.
Like all Ducati motorbikes, it comes with a certificate of authenticity, a passenger seat and a motorcycle cover. The model name and production number are shown on a plate on the right side of the bike. And as you’d expect, it’s delivered in an exclusive wooden case. Owners can also pop for a matching jet helmet and a technical jacket offered only to Diavel for Bentley owners.
Prices have not been revealed. But if you have to ask…
