Ducati Multistrada 1260 In The Works; Launch Likely In 2018

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati is reportedly working on a bigger version of the Multistrada adventure tourer motorcycle.

Motorcycle.com reports that Ducati has filed documents with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) which reveals a new model, the Multistrada 1260. The new variant is likely to use the 1,262cc engine used in the XDiavel.

The Testastretta DVT engine on the Multistrada is expected to be the most powerful engine in the Ducati lineup. It is likely to churn out more power than the XDiavel.

The currently sold XDiavel produces 156bhp, and the Multistrada 1260 is expected to have higher rev limit and power, around 170bhp. The torque figures will also bump up due to the larger displacement engine.

It is not clear whether the Multistrada 1260 will be an all-new model or just an engine update to the current-gen Multistrada 1200. The CARB documents reveal that the Multistrada 1260 will be offered in three variants - the standard Multistrada 1260, Multistrada 1260 S and the Pikes Peak edition.

But Ducati has not mentioned the Enduro variant of the Multistrada. It looks like Multistrada Enduro will continue with the current-gen engine. The Multistrada 1260 is likely to be unveiled at this year's EICMA show in November.

DriveSpark Thinks!

Ducati is planning to expand the Multistrada lineup with the introduction of the new engine. It will be the most powerful Multistrada to be produced, but it will be interesting to see if it's an all-new model or based on the same platform as the current models.