The country-wide lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 forced auto manufacturers to temporarily stop the production and shut the dealerships. The lockdown also forced brands to postpone their new launches in the country. In latest updates, many companies have confirmed via their social media channels and their websites that they will launch new products post the lockdown. Here we compile the list of upcoming bikes that are scheduled to launch in the Indian market.
TVS Motor Company has teased new Scooty Zest 110 BS6 on its website ahead of its Indian launch. Similar to the BS4 model, the BS6-compliant Scooter Zest 110 may come in two variants – Himalayan Highs and Matte series. The updated model could carry a price premium of about Rs 7,000-8,000 over the old model.
Yamaha Motor India has listed the latest iteration of the FZ 25 series on its website. The motorcycle, unlike its predecessor, will be available in two variants – FZ 25 and the FZS 25. Both variants will feature identical cycle parts and engine, although they will be distinguished by the paint options and the additional accessories. Expect the BS6 models to demand a price premium of about Rs 5,000-7,000 over the old version.
Suzuki Gixxer 250, Gixxer SF 250 BS6
Suzuki Motorcycle and Scooter India, too, has released the details about its BS6-compliant quarter-litre Gixxer series on its website. The Indian arm of the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer has revealed most of the data, although the prices would be available at launch. The BS6 versions of the motorcycles will retain the design and styling of their respective BS4 versions. While the prices would be officially announced at the launch, dealer sources have confirmed that the Gixxer 250 will be priced at Rs 1,65,147 while the Gixxer SF 250 will be sold for Rs 1,75,846 – both ex-showroom Patna prices.
India Kawasaki Motor had postponed the launch of the BS6-compliant Ninja 650 and the Z650 due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the country-wide lockdown. Both motorcycles are listed on the company’s India website, and we expect to hear a launch announcement very soon. Both, the Ninja 650 and the Z650 will pack revised styling along with LED headlight and a Bluetooth-enabled instrument cluster. As confirmed by Kawasaki, the Z650 BS6 will be priced between Rs 6.25-6.50 lakh while the Ninja 650 will available in the Rs 6.45-6.75 lakh range.
Suzuki Motorcycle India has posted a teaser image of the V-Strom 650 XT BS6 on its website, although rest of the details are still undercover. While the details are scarce, we do not expect to see major changes to the styling of the V-Strom 650 XT BS6. The engine will be updated to comply with the latest emission norms, and we could see slightly revised power and torque output numbers on the new model. The V-Strom 650 XT BS6 will demand a slight premium over the old bike’s Rs 7,46,577 price tag.
Triumph Motorcycles India recently updated its portfolio with the launch of the Street Triple RS. The middleweight roadster will be followed by the company’s middleweight adventure tourer, the Tiger 900 range. Similar to the Tiger 800, the latest iteration of the adventure tourer will be available in two versions – GT (road-biased) and Rally (off-roader). Internationally, Triumph Motorcycles offer six variants of the Tiger 900 series – Tiger 900, Tiger 900 GT, Tiger 900 GT Low, Tiger 900 GT Pro, Tiger 900 Rally and the Tiger 900 Rally Pro. The prices for the Tiger 900 series are likely to start from Rs 12.5 lakh-13 lakh levels.
Ducati India will soon launch the Panigale 959 replacement in our market. The new Panigale V2 draws styling cues from the company’s flagship superbike, the Panigale V4. Thus, the V-twin engine-powered middleweight supersport gets twin-pod LED headlight, Bluetooth-enabled colour TFT-display and a single-sided swingarm among other features. The Panigale V2 will most likely demand a price premium over the Panigale 959, and we expect the new model to arrive in the Rs 15 lakh-15.5 lakh range.
BMW Motorrad India recently posted a teaser video of its upcoming sports tourers on its social media accounts. The video confirmed that the Bavarian two-wheeler manufacturer will soon introduce the F 900 XR and the S 1000 XR in the Indian market. The road-focussed character of both motorcycles is emphasised by 17-inch alloy wheels on both ends. The lower displacement version comes with a parallel-twin motor while the litre-class model features an inline four-cylinder engine. The F 900 XR is expected to be priced between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 14 lakh while the S 1000 XR could retail in the Rs 19 lakh-20 lakh range.
(All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom)