As expected, Mercedes-Benz’s performance division AMG announced it is cutting ties with Ducati following the motorcycle manufacturer’s acquisition by rival car-maker Audi.

AMG released a brief statement saying, explaining the split and saying it we never in the running to purchase Ducati: “Since the end of 2010 a successful marketing cooperation has existed between AMG and Ducati. The company takeover by a rival car manufacturer has understandably resulted in the end of any further collaboration. The takeover of Ducati was never our aim – our focus lies clearly in developing and producing premium performance cars and we will be concentrating all our energy on this.”

AMG and Ducati have shared a marketing partnership since 2010, with AMG sponsoring Ducati Corse’s MotoGP team. The two companies also collaborated on a special-edition version of the Diavel, which instantly becomes a bit of a collector’s item as the world’s only AMG-branded Audi product.

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Last month, news broke that Ducati is once again up for sale, with its owner, private equity firm Investindustrial is looking for a “world-class industrial partner” for the noted Italian manufacturer. Since then, a number of potential suitors have popped up as being interested in acquiring Ducati.

Audi has reportedly cut to the front of the queue to negotiate with Investindustrial. Audi is reportedly offering somewhere in the area of 850 million euro (US$1.1 billion), which is below the 1 billion euros Investindustrial is said to be seeking. The 850 million euro however includes absorbing about 800 million euro in debt. Audi still has a month to finalize its offer though, and unless a deal is struck, Ducati may still be on the market.

Here now is a look at some of the companies whose names have been linked to the Bolognese brand. Some of these companies have expressed some interest in buying Ducati, some have denied any interest, and some were only named because, and let’s face it folks, rumors are fun.

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Investindustrial to Sell Ducati
Audi Poised to Buy Ducati

German automaker Audi is reportedly in exclusive discussions with Investindustrial to acquire Ducati.

British automotive publication CAR Magazine cites high-level sources within Audi in reporting the car maker has won first dibs to negotiate a deal. Audi reportedly has until mid-April to decide whether to buy out Ducati.

Investindustrial is reportedly asking for a billion euros (US$1.3 billion) for Ducati but Car reports Audi is offering just about 850 million euros (US$1.1 billion) while agreeing to pick up the tab on Ducati’s billion dollar deficit (estimated at about almost 800 million euros).

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The partnership between Ducati and Mercedes-AMG has produced some new fruit, this time a Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG inspired by the Ducati Streetfighter 848′s “Fighter Yellow” color.

It’s been over a year since Ducati and Mercedes-Benz’ performance brand AMG signed a cooperation agreement at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Back in September, the two brands came together to produce the special edition Ducati Diavel AMG at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Streetfighter Yellow SLK 55 AMG is a one-off color variant which will be displayed alongside the Streetfighter 848 at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show to symbolize the continued relationship between the two brands.

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Your trusty Motorcycle.com news monkey is knee deep in four-wheeled madness helping out with our sister site Autoguide.com‘s coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, but thankfully there are some two-wheeled goodies on display here in Germany as well.

One of the highlights is the special edition Ducati Diavel AMG, the latest product of the partnership between the Italian motorcycle maker and Mercedes-Benz’ performance arm. Look for a full gallery of pictures after the jump.

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The marketing partnership between Ducati and Mercedes’ AMG division continues with a new special edition version of the Diavel.

The 2012 Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition is equipped with AMG’s signature 5-spoke wheels, an AMG-style exhaust with engraved end-caps, an Alcantara-upholstered horizontally ribbed seat and carbon fiber radiator grills with aluminum trim.

The AMG special edition model will come in the same matte black color as the Ducati Diavel Carbon it is based on, but with AMG’s “Diamond White Bright” stripe and trellis frame.

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Ducati President and Chief Executive Officer Gabriele del Torchio has a new company car: the new CLS 63 AMG from the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, AMG.

AMG and Ducati, of course, formed a marketing partnership last November, including AMG being named the official car partner of Ducati’s factory MotoGP team. A side benefit from Ducati’s partnership with AMG, del Torchio gets to use the CLS 63  AMG four-door coupe as his company car. Ducati MotoGP racer Nicky Hayden also previously received his own CLS 63 AMG.

“I’m already looking forward to having fun at the wheel of the new CLS 63 AMG, which to me really seems to offer the perfect synthesis of power, elegance and efficiency,” says del Torchio. “We are working hard on the implementation of the first joint projects between AMG and Ducati.”

Full press release after the jump.

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Ducati Partners With Mercedes’ AMG
2011 Ducati Diavel Review (Almost)
Nicky Hayden Interview
Ducati 848 EVO Appears in Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Commercial [Video]

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Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance tuning subsidiary AMG has released the first of likely many commercials featuring its partnership with Ducati. AMG and Ducati announced their partnership in November, which includes sponsorship of the Ducati MotoGP as well as various marketing and cross-promotional opportunities.

In the video above, a handsome European couple race from their luxurious beachfront home to a slightly less luxurious beachfront restaurant for breakfast. The man hops into the seat of a C63 AMG Coupe while the woman straddles a Ducati 848 EVO (both, along with all the buildings apparently, in a similar shade of off-white).

This being AMG’s show, of course, the car wins. I’m not sure about anyone else though, but I’d definitely take the Ducati (and the girl!) any day.