2024 has begun and this month is set to be packed with loads of new launches in the Indian two-wheeler industry. From ICE to EVs, we are set to witness a lot of new names, and here is a list of all those.
We have had a glimpse of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650. First, at the IBW in its special edition avatar and then, in Los Angeles as well. Moreover, we have also ridden here in India for a few days and this is what we can talk about the Shotgun as of now.
It is based on the existing 650cc platform from Royal Enfield and gets a 648cc motor dishing out 46.3bhp and 52.3Nm. This is the same motor as the Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650, and the Continental GT. However, this is a more urban-themed bike from what we have seen so far. It also gets a smaller front wheel which means it could offer a better city riding experience and more nimble handling than the Meteor 650. Looking at its images, the Shotgun gets neutrally placed footpegs which could offer a more commanding riding position than the meteor.
The Shotgun 650 will sit under the Super Meteor 650 and we expect it to be priced accordingly – around Rs. 3.35 lakh to Rs. 3.40 lakh (ex-showroom). Our review of the new Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 goes live on 15 January.
Ather too is set to finally launch the 450 Apex very soon. Ather has teased the 450 Apex on its social media handles and revealed a few bits as well. It has been hinted at offering an exhilarating performance in terms of acceleration and top speed. Then, some of its other teasers have revealed that the 450 Apex will get transparent side panels with the orange frame visible. This should make it quite attractive and entice the younger buyers. For reference, the current most expensive Ather scooter costs Rs. 1.70 lakh. It is the 450X Gen 3 with the Pro Pack. So, we expect the 450 Apex to cost at least Rs. 10,000 - 20,000 more. This will not only set it apart from the base models but also create a notable difference in the overall product portfolio of Ather.
Like we reported in our story just a few days ago, Husqvarna India too will finally enter the 400cc market. Its first bike will be the Svartpilen 401 and we have confirmed the same with our dealer sources. The test bike has also been spotted multiple times and revealed a lot of its visual cues too.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is likely to get a revised design when compared to the older model that was sold internationally. You can take the KTM 390 Duke’s sizing for reference and imagine a slightly buff-looking bike. It will get an LED headlight, and a fully digital console but an LCD instead of a TFT. We also think it will skip smartphone connectivity to save the manufacturing costs. The Svartpilen 401 will come with the new 390 Duke’s engine. It is a 399cc single-cylinder motor with a six-speed gearbox. It makes 45bhp and 39Nm.
Its hardware could include adjustable front forks and an offset monoshock. The braking duties will be handled by a disc at both ends. Apart from that, the test bike has been spotted with both, alloy wheels and spoke wheels. So Bajaj could offer them as an accessory for buyers who want to take the Husqvarna Scrambler for off-roading.
We expect the Svartpilen 401 to cost around Rs. 2.65 - 2.75 lakh (ex-showroom) and rival the Triumph Scrambler, Royal Enfield Scram 411, and the Yezdi Scrambler.
Jawa Classic
Jawa has teased a new launch for January and we think the brand is likely to update the Standard model. Similar to Yezdi, the Jawa bikes too are due for an upgrade in a few areas which could make the overall package better, and add more value for money.
We expect Jawa to make changes to the engine and make it more refined, tune the ride quality to make it better, and improve the overall finishing levels on the bike. That said, its design is likely to remain unchanged. Currently, the Jawa Classic gets a single-cylinder 294.72cc engine and it makes 26.95bhp and 26.84Nm torque. But maybe Jawa could offer a larger and heavily reworked engine with the new model.
The new updates could call for a slightly higher asking price compared to the current one, which is Rs. 1.81 lakh for the single-channel ABS model and Rs. 2.03 lakh for the dual-channel ABS.
2024 Chetak Premium
Another EV that will debut this month could be the 2024 Chetak Premium. Bajaj has already launched the Chetak Urbane in its latest form and now it could be the time for the Chetak Premium to get the same treatment. We expect little to no changes in the design but the electric scooter could finally get more range and more features including the recently introduced Tec Pac. The hardware is likely to remain unchanged. But the pricing could take a notable hike compared to the current price tag of Rs. 1.15 lakh.
Hero 440cc Bike
And last but not least, Hero Motocorp will finally debut its 440cc bike. Now, we are all aware that the Harley Davidson X440 has been developed and is manufactured by Hero. So, you can expect the Hero branded bike to carry the engine, hardware and features too from its American sibling, which is the X440.
For reference, the X440 gets a 440cc single-cylinder engine that makes 27bhp and 38Nm. It gets a six-speed gearbox. For its features, the X440 comes with LED lights, and a digital console with smartphone connectivity and dual-channel ABS. Harley offers Bluetooth connectivity only with its top-spec bike so the Hero bike too could get it specific with the variant. The Hero offering could get more like a roadster design.
Since Hero is known to make some very affordable bikes, we expect its new 440cc bike to likely cost less than the Harley Davidson X440 which currently retails from Rs. 2.39 lakh onwards. Hero could price it under Rs 2 lakh and the official launch is set for 22 January.
