If there’s one thing Ducati knows how to do, it’s to make everything sporty—whether it’s a superbike, a naked, an adventure tourer, or now, apparently, a cruiser. The Multistrada V4 RS already proved what happens when you inject MotoGP-grade tech into a high-riding tourer. And now, Ducati seems ready to give the Diavel the same treatment. The result? We might be looking at the most extreme muscle bike the world’s ever seen.
A recent listing in the US NHTSA database uncovered by Motorcycle.com’s Dennis Chung confirms that a Ducati Diavel V4 RS is officially in the works for the 2026 model year. That’s not a rumor—it’s a registration. But the rest? That’s where things get excitingly speculative. Because if this thing follows the same RS formula as the Multistrada, we’re talking about a Diavel with serious performance credentials, likely blurring the line between cruiser and superbike altogether.
The most obvious change? The engine. The standard Diavel V4 already uses the 1,158cc Granturismo V4, which makes 168 hp and trades Ducati’s signature desmodromic valve actuation for regular springs. It’s smooth, it’s fast, but it’s not the wildest engine in Ducati’s lineup. That honor belongs to the Desmosedici Stradale V4—a 1,103cc powerhouse with desmo valves, a dry clutch, and a 13,500 rpm redline. It’s what powers the Panigale and Streetfighter V4s, with up to 214 hp on tap. If that engine makes its way into the Diavel RS, we’re not just looking at a fast cruiser—we’re talking about a hypernaked in disguise.
Of course, Ducati could also take a more conservative approach and use the 180 hp version of the Desmo V4 found in the Multistrada V4 RS. Even then, that would be 12 more horses than the current Diavel, with more revs, more drama, and more race-bred personality. Throw in the dry clutch and a spicier exhaust system, and it’ll have all the mechanical theater Ducatisti love.
There’s also a good chance we’ll see weight-saving upgrades: carbon fiber bodywork, forged Marchesini wheels, a titanium subframe, and top-shelf Öhlins suspension. And of course, Brembo Stylema calipers would be standard. The standard Diavel V4 weighs 223 kg dry, so if Ducati shaves even just a few kilos off, we’re talking about a seriously agile machine—despite still running that massive 240-section rear tire.
And let’s not forget price. The current Diavel V4 starts at €27,490 (around $29,700 USD), but if the RS follows the Multistrada’s pricing strategy, we could be looking at something closer to—or even beyond—€37,390 (roughly $40,400 USD). That’s superbike money for what used to be called a cruiser. But again, calling the Diavel RS a cruiser might no longer be accurate.
So what’s next for Ducati? They’ve already turned the Multistrada into a track missile and the Diavel into a muscle-bound monster. Will they do the same to the Scrambler lineup? A 200 hp retro dual-sport with carbon bits and forged wheels? Or maybe they’ll surprise us all with a fire-breathing performance scooter. It sounds ridiculous—until you remember who we’re talking about.
This is Ducati, after all. And at this point, anything’s possible.
Sources: Motorcycle.com, Motorrad
