Is this a new design direction for future Ducati Scrambler?

KUALA LUMPUR: The design has always been a major contributing factor in a brand's popularity and set it apart from the commoners. A good design gives a visual treat to customers, whereas great design solves problems. For those who aspire to design leading-edge motorcycles, the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, is a perfect platform. The institution has recently teamed up with Ducati for a competition where its students explored future design direction for the Scrambler range.

In total, ten projects were submitted, and it was Peter Harkins who took home the winning trophy. He came out with flying colors with his interpretation of what the future Scrambler could look like. While many explored electric concepts for the Scrambler, he thought simple and out of the box.

In his vision, the future Ducati Scrambler is a dirt-bike-type scrambler, which uses a simple single-cylinder held together by a cradle frame. He also played with the position of the rear shock, which is tucked under the bodywork and connected to the double-sided swingarm with the help of a strut in the final concept. This might be useful for ride height adjustability while preventing the monoshock of dirt and debris.

His understanding of the bike’s proportions and brand ethos also set his design apart from the other. Harkins kept the bike’s signature 'X' shaped headlight design while using his unique style. The cues of dirt designed can also be seen in the form of a beak-shaped front fender, which added more character to the Scrambler range. 

The front forks are also hidden with fork covers like modern dirt bikes. Moreover, the seat and fuel tank design also looks sleeker and more in tune with the modern era. The design also features a new exhaust positioning. 

According to Andrea Ferraresi, Ducati Design Center Director, "The reinterpretation that Harkins proposed takes its inspiration from the values of the brand and maintains the typical stylistic canons of the Scrambler Ducati, such as lightness, simplicity of lines and the headlamp characterized by the unmistakable X, now recognized as the signature of the bike.”

Peter Harkins will now get training as an intern at the Ducati Design Center in Bologna, Italy. 

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