First Look: Ducati XDiavel Nera

Season Two opens with a show-stopping bike.

Behold the new XDiavel Nera, a 160 hp street-smart brawler, dressed in the latest Italian couture.

In 2021, Ducati unveiled a novel strategy when announcing a new model: It created a series of what it called “episodes,” just like the episodes in a television series. Each installment introduced a new character…er, motorcycle. The whole affair was an engaging concept that underlined Ducati’s creativeness, passion, engineering and design. Even when a bike wasn’t totally new, the events were outstanding pieces of emotional motorcycling. And some machines, like the Desert X, were legitimately revolutionary, a “intrusions” in Ducati’s traditional lineup.

The XDiavel Nera is all about making a statement, and enjoying a luxury brand. Whether you’re into power cruisers or not, the Nera undoubtedly succeeds on both counts.

Now it’s time for the first episode of the 2022 season, the seventh in the global sequence. The new XDiavel Nera is less about technical innovation and more about exclusivity and emotions. The third variation on the XDiavel power cruiser, in the best Italian motorcycle industry tradition it will be a numbered, limited (500 units) edition.

Nobody knows leather like the Italians, and no Italian knows leather like Poltrona Frau.

The Diavel models have always stood apart from the conventional Ducati image, and perhaps for that reason they have started to fade in the eyes of the Ducatisti. Given that, the XDiavel Nera is a needed shot in the arm, bringing an elevated level of elegance, refinement, and exclusivity.

Reserve yours today.

Pure Diavel, Under the Skin
The XDiavel Nera shares the same basic technology, mechanical components, and design of the other two XDiavels, the XDiavel S and XDiavel Dark. That means the engine is a very flexible edition of the Testastretta powerplant, a 1,262cc 90-degree V-twin with variable desmo valve gear and dual plugs, generating 160 hp at 9,500 rpm and 93.7 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm, all naturally Euro 5 compliant. Unaltered is also the chassis; the steel-tubing trellis frame yields a long 63.6-inch wheelbase, 30 degrees of rake, and whopping 5.1 inches of trail, the most extravagant in Borgo Panigale.

Shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso III radials (20/70-17 front and 240/45-17 rear), the XDiavel Nera rolls on elegant, forged and machined aluminum wheels. Final drive is via belt, exclusive to the XDiavel line in the Ducati model range. The electronic suite is based on a six-axis inertial platform and includes all the most advanced safety functions, such as cornering ABS. A 3.5-inch TFT screen displays the instrumentation, with exclusive animation and lights.

In addition to the seat, leather accessories include a passenger backrest, key fob holder, and document pouch. The leather is available in five color options.

A King’s Throne
As suggested by the name, XDiavel Nera comes in black-on-black livery with bright red accents; these include the front brake’s four-piston Brembo calipers and the engine’s valve covers. But the real touch of elegance comes from the seat. This piece is specially hand crafted by Poltrona Frau, an Italian specialist renowned for exclusive, high-end leather armchairs, Ferrari and Maserati interior trim, and fashion accessories. Poltrona Frau has developed proprietary leather treatments that ensure both a nappa-like soft touch and absolute durability, and this is what is used for the XDiavel Nera. The seat may optionally include a small backrest for the passenger, and is available in five colors: classic Poltrona Frau Siam Red, Steel Blue, Concrete Gray, India Brown, and Selva Green. They’re all double stitched and accurately contoured, a real piece of the best Italian craftsmanship. XDiavel Nera comes complete with a key fob and a document holder in the same leather.

This bike will not be on our floor long, if at all. Make sure you get yours by reserving yours today.