The logo of Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati is seen in Dietlikon, Switzerland October 11, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's Benetton family is among five bidders shortlisted to buy Italian motorcycle brand Ducati, which is being sold by Germany's Volkswagen VOWG_p.DE, a source close to the matter said on Saturday.

The finalists will be given access to the company’s books after the summer, the source said, adding that the offers received valued Ducati at 1.3 billion-1.5 billion euros ($1.5 billion-$1.8 billion).

Volkswagen’s luxury brand Audi, which is the owner of Ducati, declined to comment.

Earlier on Saturday, two Italian newspapers said that besides the Benetton family's investment vehicle, Edizione Holding, the shortlist included U.S. automotive firm Polaris Industries PII.N and private equity funds such as Ducati's previous owner Investindustrial, France's PAI and Bain Capital.

Investindustrial declined to comment. Polaris, PAI and Bain could not immediately be reached for comment.

The list of initial bidders for Ducati also included two Indian motorbike firms, Eicher Motors EICH.NS and Bajaj Auto BAJA.NS, as well as private equity funds CVC Capital Parners and Advent, sources have previously said.

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, is reviewing several assets in a bid to move beyond the emissions scandal that has left it facing billions of dollars in fines and settlements.

A successful deal for Ducati, which had revenue of 731 million euros last year, would show that Volkswagen boss Matthias Mueller is serious about reversing its quest for size.

($1 = 0.8512 euros)