Ducati is expanding the Diavel range for 2027 with a new V4 S, adding electronically controlled Öhlins suspension to its muscular V4 roadster. The November 2 reveal also brings revised styling, updated engine-control strategies and a larger display to the family. The S designation gives buyers a new equipment choice within the V4 generation rather than identifying a replacement engine configuration.
The announcement will interest Canadian riders who want a motorcycle with cruiser-like visual presence and a sportier chassis approach. It also calls for a clear separation between the standard V4, the new V4 S and the distinct V4 RS. Similar names do not make their engines, suspension or purchase prices interchangeable.
The V4 Granturismo remains the core
The 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo continues in the announced range. Ducati quotes 168 metric horsepower and describes revised electronic control intended to improve response at low and medium engine speeds. The new Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 is also part of the update.
For road riding, the response to a small throttle opening can be more noticeable than the maximum output figure. Parking-lot manoeuvres, slow corners and moving traffic all ask for predictable delivery. Ducati's stated aim is therefore relevant, although the improvement should be assessed through a road test rather than repeated as a measured result.
A quickshifter serves a different purpose from an automatic transmission. It assists rider-commanded gear changes under defined conditions; it does not choose the appropriate gear for a corner or replace every use of the clutch. A delivery handover should include the operating guidance so an owner understands what the system is designed to do.
What the S adds
The defining addition on the V4 S is Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 semi-active suspension. Ducati also lists a lithium-ion battery, heated grips and dedicated wheel finishes. The suspension is described as event-based, adjusting its response to the motorcycle's behaviour rather than relying solely on one fixed damping setting.
That gives the S a different proposition from a cosmetic trim package. A rider may want support under braking, comfort over uneven pavement and control when accelerating out of a turn. Semi-active damping provides another way to manage those changing demands, while spring preload, tyre pressures and the chosen load still need appropriate attention.
For a Canadian owner moving between solo rides and trips with a passenger, the useful question is how easy the available settings are to understand and apply. A system can be sophisticated without being difficult to use, but that should be demonstrated. Buyers should compare the standard and S versions using the same expectations for comfort and control.
Styling and information have changed together
Ducati says the design takes cues from the Diavel V4 RS, including revised air intakes and a reshaped single-seat tail treatment. New wheels and detail changes contribute to the updated appearance. The resemblance should not be used to suggest that the V4 S inherits the RS's entire technical specification.
The announced 6.9-inch TFT uses optical bonding and includes turn-by-turn navigation. A larger display can make information easier to organise, but its usefulness depends on what a rider can identify at a glance. Speed, gear position, warning lights and the active riding settings need to remain clear in varying light and weather.
Navigation also belongs within a wider travel plan. A connected display can provide directions, while phone compatibility, route preparation and the availability of the associated service determine how useful it will be on a particular trip. Those are practical ownership questions to resolve before relying on the system for an unfamiliar journey.
Factory personalisation becomes part of the offer
The Diavel joins Ducati Factory Made, allowing specified colours, components and packages to be selected for installation at the factory. Ducati describes a wider range of combinations for the V4 S. This can simplify the route to a particular appearance, but it makes the written order specification especially important.
Canadian buyers should have the chosen finish and equipment recorded together with the final local price and expected delivery terms. Factory-installed options, dealer-installed accessories and the equipment shown in promotional photography are different things. Keeping those distinctions clear helps avoid a motorcycle arriving with a configuration the buyer did not intend.
The 2027 Diavel update is most persuasive when viewed as a set of usable changes: a new semi-active S version, revised control systems and a clearer route to personalisation. Its appeal still depends on rider fit, everyday response and the value of the selected equipment. For someone considering the range, those questions deserve at least as much attention as the motorcycle's unmistakable silhouette.
