This Wild Ducati Cruiser Is the Epitome of Sensory Overload

An Italian design firm has unveiled a truly eye-catching take on the Diavel V4 that’s inspired by Japanese anime and video games.

Front view of a futuristic purple and silver motorcycle with wide handlebars and a large central tire.

By Gray Van Dyke

Published 8 hours ago

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When I got my first Ducati last summer, I quickly learned that they’re anything but subtle bikes.

Between the frenzied clatter of the dry clutch and the angry roar of the exhaust, you’re turning heads wherever you go — and the cacophony of noise comes accompanied by some exotic visuals.

Of course, for some, not even one of these gorgeous Italian marvels is enough from the factory, and there’s still more potential for shock value when taking things beyond stock.

Purple and white futuristic motorcycle with yellow seat cushions and a glowing red circular light in the background. — Anima redefines what Ducati’s Diavel cruiser can be.

With this in mind, an Italian outfit by the name of Vtopia Design has transformed one of Ducati’s most powerful cruisers into a bike that’s unlike anything on the road.

An exercise in angular excess

It’s been dubbed ‘Anima,’ and (if you’d believe it), it’s based on a Ducati Diavel V4. Beneath that geometric bodywork lies a roaring Italian muscle bike, even if it looks like something out of Japanese anime.

Close-up of a motorcycle engine and exhaust system with silver, black, and red components and yellow seat detail. — Just look at that titanium exhaust. Glorious.

In an interview with BikeExif, Vtopia’s lead designer Giorgio Cerrato stated that the bike was “designed to evoke the brutal power of drag racing” and that it’s inspired by the classic anti-gravity racing video game Wipeout.

To give the Diavel a look fit for 2052, this meant adorning the front end with a complex array of carbon fiber fairings, CNC-machined aluminum and 3D-printed nylon. While it was a distinctive motorcycle before, it’s truly out of this world now.

Around the rest of the bike, you’ll find plenty of other eye-catching details. For instance, the upholstery is split into seven individual parts, shod in bright Alcantara. Vtopia also fabricated a custom-made fuel tank that helps to hide the battery.

Futuristic purple and white motorcycle viewed from the front on a dark cracked floor with a red glowing arc above. — Anima bears little resemblance to its Diavel donor — especially because of the carbon fiber bodywork.

It boasts some top-shelf components, too. Motocorse produced custom fork yokes, a dash bracket, some brake and clutch fluid reservoirs, as well as footpeg assemblies according to Vtopia Design’s specs.

Moreover, the Diavel now features a set of GP4-MS calipers with carbon-ceramic discs up front, and it sports a dazzling four-into-four titanium exhaust out back. To call the build transformative would be an understatement.

Close-up of a motorcycle seat with yellow cushions and a glossy purple and black angular body panel above an orange coil suspension and rear tire. — The angular tail makes for quite the statement.

Italy’s devilish donor cruiser

As impactful as Vtopia Design’s ‘Anima’ is from a visual standpoint, it’s worth noting that the Ducati Diavel V4 is more than a mere looker.

From the factory, the Bologna-based outfit specs the cruiser with a 1,158cc V4 engine. With 168 horsepower and 93 lb-ft of torque on tap, the bike’s blistering acceleration is only improved by advanced riding aids like launch control, traction control and wheelie control.

Futuristic purple motorcycle with angular design and yellow seats on a dark cracked floor under a glowing red crescent light. — The Alcantara upholstery is separated into seven distinct pieces.

In fact, one of Ducati’s newest Diavel V4s is the quickest motorcycle in the brand’s lineup. When in the hands of Marc Márquez, 0-60 takes all of 2.43 seconds.

For this reason, Ducati also equips its Diavel cruiser with a bevy of important upgrades like Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes to help keep riders keep things rubber-side down.

While ‘Anima’ may be more than evocative enough for display, then, the underlying bike is still a perfectly capable performance option.

Rear view of a motorcycle with a vertical red LED tail light glowing in a dark setting. — A singular rear light bar really drives the futuristic aesthetic home.

Intended to be exclusive

Per BikeExif, Vtopia Design will be using ‘Anima’ as a template to build a run of five more bikes.

If you’re interested in learning more about the possibility of commissioning an example for yourself, you can head over to the company’s website.

Purple and yellow futuristic motorcycle with exposed mechanical parts on a white background.

Vtopia Design ‘Anima’ Ducati Diavel V4

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About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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