MBenz AMG Ducati Diavel

[cs1450]

THE high-performance tuning division of Mercedes-Benz has turned its hand to an Italian two-wheeled cruiser to create a carbon-fibre work of art and muscle.

Ducati will show the result of their partnership with AMG - the Diavel AMG Special Edition - at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. (SEPTEMBER 15-25)

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The flagship model is based on the Diavel Carbon and features AMG's signature five-spoke wheels, carbon-fibre lateral radiator grills with aluminium trim, AMG sports exhaust system with engraved end-caps and AMG horizontally ribbed seat upholstery.

Every Desmodromic L-twin 120kW 1198cc engine has hand-set cam-timing authenticated with the name of the engine technician engraved on the left engine casing. Each bike will also have a numbered plaque on the fuel tank.

It is dressed in matte black carbon fibre bodywork with an AMG "Diamond White Bright" stripe and frame. "AMG" is also laser-engraved into the air-duct panels either side of the fuel tank.

Production begins next year and orders are now open. Ducati Australia marketing co-ordinator Marina Strbac cannot confirm how many will be produced, how many will be allocated for Australia or the price. However, it is expected to cost more than $30,000 and will include a special edition leather jacket and helmet.

Strbac says the Diavel Standard ($23,490) and Carbon ($28,990) are selling "above target" and winning conquests from Harley-Davidson. "At the New Zealand Speed Show in July we had a lot of Harley riders jumping on it because it's so light and comfortable," she says. But that's not what we're after - trying to win over customers from other brands."

"We're also looking for people who haven't had bikes for a long time. You are also correct to assume that some buyers are Ducati owners who want a second bike. Due to the Diavel filling a gap in the cruiser market there is a vast mix in our buyer demographic."

Strbac says 60 per cent of Diavel buyers are opting for the more expensive Carbon.

[cs1450]

Edit not working. here's the link..http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...pecial_edition

[Mad4TheCrest]

Originally Posted by cs1450

...the Diavel Standard ($23,490) and Carbon ($28,990) are selling "above target" and winning conquests from Harley-Davidson. "At the New Zealand Speed Show in July we had a lot of Harley riders jumping on it because it's so light and comfortable," she says. But that's not what we're after - trying to win over customers from other brands."

Whew! Those are New Zealand dollars. For a minute there I though Ducati North America had gone insane and raised the Diavel prices.

As for the AMG angle; where's the beef? 'Hand-set' cam timing? Will that really make a difference in performance? And why would I care which technician set the timing? Will people get into a 'my techie is better than your techie' thing? My cams were timed by Enrico, who did yours? Sheesh!

For an AMG Diavel to mean anything it must mate the best suspension to significant engine performance upgrades. Otherwise it's just a styling statement, a diminishment of the AMG brand, and lame.

[dj]

We have been hearing about AMG on MBenz cars but what do the letters stand for ???

[Geoff]

The Diavel AMG Special Edition is nice. The Neiman Marcus Catalog is a better place to promote it, however.

[Mad4TheCrest]

Originally Posted by Geoff

The Diavel AMG Special Edition is nice...

Nice? ... Nice???

An AMG anything had better be the total opposite of nice.

Stock is nice, an AMG should be a ballsy, badass, tire-smoking ultimate fighter draped with a little executive-class bling.

An AMG should make you want to own it, but fear to ride it. It should scare the living bejeezus out of you while making you drool. The sight of you riding it should fill others with respect for your courage and earning capacity, and make them puke from envy while they review their shredded portfolios.

An AMG Diavel should be the ultimate expression of hot-rod excess in an relatively attainable package. It should make potential Ecosse Heretic owners look at the Ducati and think twice. But it should never, ever, be 'nice'.

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by Mad4TheCrest

Nice? ... Nice???

An AMG anything had better be the total opposite of nice.

Stock is nice, an AMG should be a ballsy, badass, tire-smoking ultimate fighter draped with a little executive-class bling.

An AMG should make you want to own it, but fear to ride it. It should scare the living bejeezus out of you while making you drool. The sight of you riding it should fill others with respect for your courage and earning capacity, and make them puke from envy while they review their shredded portfolios.

An AMG Diavel should be the ultimate expression of hot-rod excess in an relatively attainable package. It should make potential Ecosse Heretic owners look at the Ducati and think twice. But it should never, ever, be 'nice'.

What the AMG Diavel is and what it should be are two distinct matters.

[cs1450]

Originally Posted by dj

We have been hearing about AMG on MBenz cars but what do the letters stand for ???

Aufrecht Melcher Gro

[HANCOCK]

[quote=cs1450;712334] .

Every Desmodromic L-twin 120kW 1198cc engine has hand-set cam-timing authenticated with the name of the engine technician engraved on the left engine casing. ."

QUOTE]

All Duc's have hand set cam timing. Adding the name of some dude doesn't do a whole lot for me. This entire AMG exercise is only cosmetic. There are NO performance upgrades.

Bill.

[Buelligan]

I'm confused as to what cache a German auto tuner can give an Italian bike maker.

I'll wait for the M Series S3.