GENEVA — When the German carmaker Audi acquired the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati for about $1 billion in 2012, many in the auto industry wondered how Ducati might fit into Audi’s business plans.

Perhaps a first indication of that unfolded here Monday evening when a redesigned Ducati Diavel motorcycle was introduced along with Audi’s new 4-wheel models at a Geneva Motor Show preview.

Image Credit... Jerry Garrett

The original Diavel was still fresh when Audi bought the company; by revising a very successful motorcycle after so little time, it would seem that a statement has been made. Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, will be moving quickly to develop Ducati’s strengths. By comparison, Yamaha waited two decades to overhaul its V-Max, the bike generally considered to have pioneered the muscle cruiser genre.