AMG-fettled Ducati Diavel
BMW and Mercedes-Benz: these German car-manufacturing monoliths have a reputation for creating premium, quality products – and there’s always been a bit of rivalry between them.
When you’re talking about cars with your mates, opinions are bound to be polarised when the two marques are mentioned. Some will favour the sporty elements of driving a BMW, others will rave about the classy, sophisticated air that seems to follow those cars with the three-pointed star emblem.
But the competition between the two is limited to four-wheels, because while BMW also manufactures motorcycles, there’s no outlet for Merc fans to enjoy some two-wheel thrills. And let’s face it, there’s something cool about a BMW bike: everytime I see one on the road, I feel like learning how to ride a bike, and embarking on an expedition similar to Ewan McGregor’s in the Long Way Down, his chariot of choice being a BMW R1200GS Adventure.
The International Motor Show in Frankfurt has seen the display of a two-wheeler that will delight Mercedes-Benz fans. It’s a Ducati – but before you wonder what relevance the Italian motorcycle manufacturer has to the German automaker, read this: AMG, the performance-crazy group that churn out monstrous Mercs, have lent their expertise to this particular Ducati, earning it the name Diavel AMG Special Edition. AMG and Ducati signed a cooperation agreement in November 2010, which, according to the press release, will see the exchanging of ideas between designers and engineers of the two companies.
It’s been given the AMG aesthetic treatment: look closely at features like the radiators mounted on the side, and the wheels – which resemble the 5-spoke variety typical of Merc’s AMG models. They were liberal with the use of the AMG logo too, slapping it on the wheels, silencers of the exhaust system, as well as the bench seat. There’s more exclusivity in the form of a numbered plaque on the fuel tank, and on a badge on the left engine block there’s the signature of the technician who “calibrated the desmodromic valve timing” – whatever that means.
If money is no object and you’re well-heeled enough to put an AMG model in the garage, one of these would definitely compliment your Merc quite nicely. The Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition will be available from the start of 2011. We’ll have to wait and see if it will make its way to our shores.
Brenwin Naidu