Limited-Edition Ducati Diavel for Bentley

Admin · December 8, 2023

Like its limited-edition Lamborghini predecessors, Ducati’s latest collaboration with a VW Group stablemate, in this case Bentley, has just been unwrapped. (Ducati/)

Ducati has been part of the vast VW Group for more than a decade now so it’s surprising we haven’t seen more tie-in products over the years. But after two hugely successful Lamborghini-branded limited editions—the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini launched in 2020 and the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini from 2022—Ducati has unveiled its first cooperation with Bentley in the form of the new Diavel for Bentley and the even more exclusive Diavel for Bentley Mulliner.

The “standard” Diavel for Bentley model is mechanically identical to the Ducati Diavel V4, but features all-new styling that complements the Bentley Batur. (Ducati/)

Bentley is, of course, another VW-owned company, sitting alongside Lamborghini and Porsche as the group’s halo manufacturers. Ducati sits in a similar position, though it’s VW’s only motorcycle company, so crossovers between the brands make a lot of sense. After all, the wealthy customers who buy Lambos and Bentleys might well have a penchant for motorcycles, while a Lamborghini- or Bentley-badged Ducati—even if they’re expensive in two-wheeled terms—is a low-cost way of getting a brand-new vehicle wearing either of those badges for the well funded.

Like the previous Lamborghini tie-in bikes, the new Ducati Diavel for Bentley models will be made in strictly limited numbers and have visual changes that extend well beyond a mere paint job and some bolt-on bits. Given the huge prices being asked for the bikes—more than double the cost of a standard Diavel V4—you’d expect some exclusivity, and that’s what you get.

Related: Ducati Announces Ducati Unica Customization Program

Although subtle at first glance, the bodywork, wheels, and styling have been redesigned with a collaboration between Ducati and Bentley’s styling teams. (Ducati/)

The standard Diavel for Bentley—it seems wrong to call it the “base” model—will be limited to 500 examples and its styling has been created as a joint project between Ducati Centro Stile and Bentley’s own design team. It takes its cues from the $2 million Bentley Batur, an ultra-limited-edition super coupe with a 730 hp, twin-turbo W12 engine, coach-built in a run of just 18 cars. Every panel on the bike is new, with Batur-derived elements included in the redesigned air intakes, which mimic the car’s two-tone grille, and the seat, which features a combination of black Alcantara over a red lower layer. The front fender and headlight cowl shapes borrow from the hood of the Batur, with distinct ridges running along them, while the tail is claimed to be inspired by the rear of the car. The side panels, cowling the radiator, are also reshaped, and virtually every part that isn’t finished in the Scarab Green paint (a Bentley color) is left in bare carbon fiber, the material that all those new body parts are made of.

An exclusive Alcantara seat with Bentley badging for the rider and a removable cowl for the passenger seat is included. (Ducati/)

Even the exhaust is redesigned, with a new cover that once again borrows ideas from Bentley cars, and the seat and tail—which comes with both a single-seat cowl and a removable passenger pad—are reshaped. Underneath all that are new forged aluminum wheels that have the same spoke pattern as the Batur. Despite all this, the bike’s mechanical parts, including the 1,158cc V-4 engine, the suspension, brakes, and electronics, are identical to the standard $26,995 Diavel V4.

Unique to the Diavel for Bentley bikes are the wheels which mimic the spoke pattern on the Batur. (Ducati/)

While anyone with a big enough bank balance can rush to get an order in for one of the 500 Diavel for Bentley bikes in Scarab Green, an even more exclusive option is restricted to existing Bentley customers. Called the Diavel for Bentley Mulliner, which takes its name from the legendary coach builder that was absorbed into Bentley decades ago. Just 50 examples will be made, each tailored to their owner’s desires when it comes to the color of the bodywork, seat, front brake calipers, carbon parts, and wheels. Most buyers will, presumably, opt to make their bikes match their cars for a perfect pairing in the garage.

For those with even deeper pockets, 50 Diavel for Bentley Mulliner editions will be available for $90,000 and allow the customer to choose all the details. (Ducati/)

Both the standard Diavel for Bentley and the Mulliner version will come with a certificate of authenticity, the removable passenger seat, a cover, and an engraved plaque bearing the bike’s number in the limited-edition run. There’s also the option to buy matching clothing in the form of a “jet” helmet and a jacket in colors to complement the bike’s.

What limited-edition $70,000 motorcycle is complete without a matching helmet? (Ducati/)

All this comes at a cost, of course, with the 500 “standard” Diavel for Bentley bikes coming in at $70,000. The Mulliner version will set customers back a cool $90,000. Despite the high prices, the bikes are likely to sell out fast. Last year’s Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini models, made in slightly higher numbers (630 standard bikes at $68,000 and 63 “Speciale Clienti” versions at $83,000 for existing Lambo owners) were said to be sold in a matter of hours after order books opened.