Hero Motocorp
Be it scooters or motorcycles world’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero showed products for a segment it hasn’t been a part of till now. The reiterated its focus on the scooter segment by foraying into the fast-growing 125cc segment with two new products—Maestro Edge 125 & Duet 125. The former comes packed with a host of design elements including diamond-cut cast wheels, sharp front cover & apron, sleek rear cowl, signature LED tail-lamp and Frost winkers. The scooter offers features like external fuel filling, remote key opening, mobile charging port and boot lamp. In addition, the scooter offers a slew of safety and utility features, such as, digital-analog meter, side stand indicator and service due reminder. Both the scooters will run on the same 125cc energy boost engine that produces a power output of 8.7 bhp. The company also entered the 200cc segment with the XPulse that offers fuel injection and delivers 18.4 PS Power and 17.1 Nm torque for. The bike gets full-LED headlamps, protective wind-shield, luggage rack, knuckle guards, enable limitless journey, while ABS tuned for on/off road usage.
Yamaha
Yamaha’s long time brand ambassador John Abraham came to the Auto Expo to launch the new YZF-R3 for the Indian market. The new bike is now enabled with dual channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) technology and high grip metzeler radial tyres. The motorcycle will be priced at Rs. 3,48,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). In addition the new YZF-R3 will come with additional new features, including the premium metzeler radial tyres for high-safety performance and enhanced grip. The 321 cc motorcycle is equipped with liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, in-line 2-cylinder, fuel-injected engine. The company also launched the new R15 at the show which is priced at Rs. 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It gets a sharper headlight design, muscular fuel tank and an aerodynamic front to make it look more appealing.
Honda
Yamaha’s big rival Honda unveiled its most extensive product line-up of 11 new models at the Auto Expo 2018. Leading from the front was the company’s brand new 160cc motorcycle the X-Blade. The bike gets a transformer-inspired futuristic LED headlight—a segment first feature along with a sporty dual outlet port silencer. It is powered by the trusted 162.71 cc HET engine. The all new digital instrumentation comes with a Service Due Indicator and gear position indicator. The bike gets wider 130 section tubeless rear tyres enhance stability in bad roads. The X-Blade prices will be announced closer to its market availability in March 2018. There were 10 new 2018 editions ranging from 110cc to 1800cc starting with new Activa 5G which gets full LED Headlamp and position lamp, front chrome garnish and 4-in-1 lock with seat opener switch and retractable rear hook. The CBR 250R also made a grand comeback at the show along with the 2018 edition of the Honda’s iconic 1800cc King of tourers, the Goldwing.
TVS
Homegrown 2-wheeler maker TVS made a lot of noise at the Auto expo. The Company showed the CREON, a next generation electric motor scooter, a fuel injected version of Apache RTR 200 that runs Ethanol, and the Zeppelin, a 220 cc futuristic motorcycle cruiser concept. According to TVS, the CREON is a performance oriented, electric scooter concept. An electric motor that propels it from 0-60 kmph in under 5.1 seconds and boasts of a range of 80 km. It also offers a rapid charging time of 60 minutes. On the other hand, the Zeppelin is a performance cruiser hybrid motorcycle which along with a 220cc engine comes with a TVS patented—Integrated Starter Generator (ISG). A 1200W regenerative assist motor with 48V Li-ION battery further adds to the performance. The Apache RTR 200 Fi Ethanol is equipped with technical improvements to make the motorcycle reliable with Ethanol as fuel. Along with reduction in emission levels and green graphics on the tank it also gets a Twin-Spray-Twin-Port EFI technology.
Suzuki
Leading the onslaught from the Japanese bike maker was the new Burgman Street, a 125cc scooter and the descendant from the legendary BURGMAN portfolio. With a unique premium design, the scooter promises to redefine personal-mobility for the Indian-customers and provides the experience of advanced luxury. Features include LED headlamps, body mount windscreen, flexible outstretched foot position, and front disc combination braking system. Suzuki also launched the GSX-S750 at the show which marks the company’s presence in sub-1000 big-bike segment. Design highlights include upswept lines of its crouched stance to the aggressive styling of its new headlight. Powered by the heart of the iconic GSX-R the bike will be Suzuki’s second “Made-in-India” big bike after the Hayabusa. The company also introduced a furl injected version of its recently launched 150cc motorcycle, Intruder. The menacing looking V-storm 650 completed an impressive looking Suzuki line-up at the show.