Autoblog

Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

The minds at Ducati have been busy lately. The Italian manufacturer pulled back the curtains on three new machines at the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show, including the water-cooled 2013 Hypermotard. Using and 821cc variant of the company's Testastretta 11-degree DS V-twin, the Hypermotard dishes out 110 horsepower and 65.8 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a smaller bore and longer stroke than the standard 848cc engine. The revised Hypermotard tips the scales at 436.5 lbs fully fueled and boasts Kayaba front forks with 6.7-inches of travel. Out back, a Sachs rear shock serves up 5.9-inches of flex, though the Hypermotard SP delivers more inches in both categories.

By most accounts, the Ducati Diavel is as wicked a cruiser as you're likely to find, but that didn't stop engineers from pouring a few tricks from the Ducati Performance line onto the bike. The result is the 2013 Diavel Strada. Designed to serve up easy miles, the new bike offers up a larger windscreen, slightly higher handlebars with heated grips and a gel seat. There's also a higher capacity generator on board to help power additional electronics via two 12-volt ports.

Then there's 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R. A subtly tweaked version of last year's bike, the 2013 model now features a 500 rpm rev boost thanks in part to light-weight titanium connecting rods and a lightened flywheel. There's also a four-point adjustable swing arm for the first time, and a full race exhaust and ECU helps the bike spit out 201 horsepower on the top end. More importantly, Ducati says the Panigale R now generates 15 percent more mid range power. Want one? Better pull a stinking $29,995 from your wallet.

Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pirelli teams up with Scott Campbell for tire tattoo art [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, Motorcycle, Design/Style

Pirelli teamed up with tattoo artist Scott Campbell for a special project at the tire manufacturer's newest flagship store in Milan, Italy. Campbell turned his skill with a needle and ink to tire sculpting. Using a gouge, the artist inscribed images of an eye, a heart and a skull into the tread of a Diablo Rosso II tire that was then fitted to a special-edition Ducati Diavel on display at the Corso Venezia store. Those same designs were also featured on a unique Dianese riding jacket alongside an image of St. Christopher, who is apparently the patron saint of motorcycle riders (who knew?).

Campbell said that this project actually marked the first time he had ever worked with rubber as a medium, and that the project required a substantial amount of research before he ever put tool to tread. The finished product doesn't look too bad for a rookie effort, if you ask us. Hit the jump to check out a quick video of the Diavel and its fancy footwear.

Continue reading Pirelli teams up with Scott Campbell for tire tattoo art [w/video]

Pirelli teams up with Scott Campbell for tire tattoo art [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Motorcycle, Specialty

The black-and-white Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition is a lump of two-wheeled mean that takes cues from both the bikemaker and tuning house. The five-spoke wheels are derived from AMG, as well the aluminium radiator grilles, exhaust and Alcantara seat. What's more, the Desmodromic cam-timing system is set by hand and signed by the responsible engine technician, just as an AMG engine is built and signed by one man.

During a roundtable discussion, Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio said each bike would be numbered and the model would be a limited edition, but he didn't indicate how limited. It has already been priced in Europe at €26,000 to €27,000. It doesn't have a U.S price yet, but will be presented to dealers in the U.S. later this year and is expected to go on sale in spring of 2012. Even if you can't afford to buy it, you can't certainly afford to ogle it in the gallery of high-res photos.

Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition to debut in Frankfurt

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Motorcycle

From MotoGP sponsorship to new cars for its riders and even a co-branded speedboat, Ducati and AMG have not missed a single opportunity to promote their new partnership. And the latest is set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

That's where the two performance brands will unveil the Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition. The bike starts out with the Diavel Carbon model and upgraded with special wheels, radiator grilles, exhaust and Alcantara saddle. The requisite special badges, of course, also appear all over the white-striped carbon-fiber bodywork, and the engine is specifically balanced and signed by an individual technician.

There's more to delve into in the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery, so check 'em out and see if you can keep yourself from fantasizing about racing this beast against an SLS AMG.

Continue reading Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition to debut in Frankfurt

Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition to debut in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ducati sales up 68% in Q1

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ducati announced that its sales for the first quarter of 2011 outstripped last year by some 68 percent after three months of growth.

The sales growth so far has been nice, but Ducati doesn't see them slowing for the rest of 2011, particularly with the Diavel due to hit showrooms at the end of March. With the help of updated models like the Monster 1100EVO and the Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak Edition, maintaining those stellar sales numbers shouldn't be an issue, and puts Ducati well on its way to reclaiming the numbers it enjoyed before the economic nose dive.

Gallery: Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak (U.S.)

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

Report: Ducati sales up 68% in Q1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Building the Ducati Diavel in one minute

Zach Bowman — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycle

Ducati Diavel on the production line - Click above to watch video after the jump

Ducati says it expects the upcoming Diavel to lead the company's sales in 2011, and with 162 horsepower propelling just 456 pounds, we imagine that the Italian bike maker won't have trouble finding homes for its latest creation. The Diavel, a performance cruiser, walks a fine line between face-ripping power and beautiful design. Now Ducati has given us all a glimpse into what it takes to put its new motorcycle on the road.

Using time-lapse video, we can follow the birth of a Ducati Diavel from a bare engine all the way to the menacing final product. Ducati says that it's cranking out around 40 Diavel units per day, though it hopes to increase production by around 50 percent as riding season kicks into gear. Hit the jump to see the full build process for yourself.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Continue reading Video: Building the Ducati Diavel in one minute

Video: Building the Ducati Diavel in one minute originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati murders out the Diavel in Diamond Black

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

Ducati Diavel in Diamond Black - Click above for high-res images

It doesn't get much hotter than the Ducati Diavel. The long-anticipated Italian performance cruiser was unveiled last month at the Milan Motorcycle Show, and now the legendary manufacturer is rolling out a new addition to the lineup.

Following what Ducati describes as "huge interest from enthusiastic show visitors," it's added a new Diamond Black color option: black paint over a black frame with black anodized headlamp body and air intakes. In other words, it's black.

Diamond Black apparently replaces the pearl white color and joins Red Carbon (gloss rosso over matte carbon weave), Black Carbon (contrasting carbon fiber weaves in matte and gloss finish) and traditional Ducati Red in the Diavel's catalog. It'll be available starting in February. In the meantime, you can read the announcement after the jump and check out the twin images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Ducati Diavel in Diamond Black

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati murders out the Diavel in Diamond Black

Ducati murders out the Diavel in Diamond Black originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati Diavel gets early unveil

Zach Bowman — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Ducati Diavel - Click above for high-res image gallery

A scant few photos and a quick hit of information about the all-new Ducati Diavel have slipped out ahead of the bike's unveil at EICMA. According to the crew at Hell for Leather, the sculpture you see above packs a full 162 horsepower, 94 pound-feet of torque and tips the scales at a feathery 456 pounds. And that's just the base version. Apparently the Italian moto-maker is also offering a Diavel Carbon version that makes use of plenty of carbon fiber to shed an additional seven pounds from the recipe.

Aside from the pants-soiling power, the Diavel also comes loaded with more technology than ought to be possible. There's a ride-by-wire throttle system, traction control, anti-lock brakes, a keyless ignition and a tank-mounted, light-sensing TFT display packed into the beast you see above. Sounds fun, but we can hardly look at the bike without getting our eyeballs stuck on that epic 240 millimeter-wide tire. Hey, all that power has to get to the pavement somehow.

If you want one, and let's face it, you probably do, you'll have to shell out around $16,995 for the base model and $19,995 for the Carbon iteration.

Gallery: 2011 Ducati Diavel Unveil

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Ducati Diavel gets early unveil originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati Diavel officially announced for EICMA debut

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

Ducati Diavel teaser - Click above to enlarge

We're still not quite certain what to make of a Ducati that isn't really a sportbike. While machines such as the Monster, Multistrada, Hypermotard and Sport Classic series weren't made to represent the brand in competition, they still have plenty of racetrack-derived heritage oozing from their pores. The Diavel, on the other hand, isn't likely to ever even sniff a track.

Unless perhaps that track is, oh, about a quarter-mile long and straight as an arrow. While the Italian motorcycle manufacturer isn't keen on offering too much in the way of a category for the new Diavel, we're thinking it will most likely be cross-shopped with pavement pounders like the Yamaha Vmax, Suzuki B-King and Harley-Davidson's liquid-cooled VRSC series.

As far as specs, here's what we know so far: ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes that alter power output and delivery will at least be available, if not standard. Power will come from the Testastretta 11-degree engine as seen in the Multistrada, and the Diavel will weigh 456 pounds.

And what of the name? According to Ducati, when the prototype was first wheeled out of the factory, a worker saw its silhouette and exclaimed in Bolognese dialect: "Ignurànt comm' al diavel!" Meaning: "Evil, like the devil!"

We have but one official teaser of Ducati's devilish new machine, but the rest of the details will be forthcoming at the EICMA International Motorcycle Show in Milan this coming November. Until then, check out the full-size pic by clicking on the image above and peruse the press release after the break.

[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati Diavel officially announced for EICMA debut

Ducati Diavel officially announced for EICMA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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