TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 310) Spotted Testing in India

Good news for all TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 310) fans! TVS Motor has finally begun testing the much anticipated Akula 310. The test bike was spotted testing again in India. The company has confirmed that the two-wheeler manufacturer is very likely to launch the fully-faired Akula 310 as Apache RTR 300 in India later this year. When contacted, TVS officials refused to confirm any launch date, but according to the sources, the Akula 310 will be most certainly launched later this year.

The Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300) will be powered by a 313cc liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine jointly developed with BMW Motorrad. The same engine will also power the new BMW G310R, BMW Motorrad's smallest displacement motorcycle and one developed at the TVS Motor Company plant near Hosur in Tamil Nadu.

BMW Motorrad is expected to announce the launch of the G310R sometime in the second half of this year. The TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300) is expected to be launched soon after. The BMW G310R's engine delivers 34bhp and develops 28Nm of peak torque, we believe the power figures will be altered for the production version of the Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300), owing to a slightly different state of engine tuning.

Unveiled as a concept at the Auto Expo 2016, the all-new TVS Akula 310 (Apache RTR 300) will be the first fully-faired motorcycle to be launched by the company. With the powerplant from the BMW G310R, the Akula has been indigenously designed and developed by TVS. What has also been promised by TVS is that the Akula 310 will be a near-track-focused motorcycle which will be something similar to what the KTM's RC series offered. So expect a taut chassis and sharp handling.

In the concept version, the bike's fairing, tank and other panels were crafted from carbon fiber with a very aggressive and sharp styling. Sadly the production version will miss out on the carbon fiber bits to keep costs competitive. That said, we believe there will be no compromise on quality and the bike is also likely to retain most of the aggressive styling cues of the concept version. Moreover, there will be some extensive usage of strong and light-weight aluminum bits as well, which translates into a lighter overall weight.

The concept version of the bike came with equipment like - USD forks, radial calipers, aluminum sub frame, stiff space frame chassis, cast alloy swing arm, digital console, and a steering damper for additional stability. Although, we cannot promise that you'll see all of these features in the production version as well but dual channel ABS could be a part of the feature list.

Read More: TVS Apache RTR 200 4V launched in India

Read More: 2016 TVS BMW G310R Spotted Testing Again in India [EXCLUSIVE]

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2017 KTM 390 Duke Spotted Testing in India

The Austrian company KTM, seems all set to showcase a redesigned version of the RC390 at the 2016 EICMA Motor Show in Milan this November, as according to a recent reports, the redesigned motorcycle was caught testing for the first time on Indian roads on the Mumbai-Pune highway just a few months after the news of the bike's presence at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant in Maharashtra created a buzz in the Indian motorcycle industry. The bike was earlier spotted undergoing road tests in Europe. The presence of the bike in India indicates that the launch of the same could happen anytime in the first half of next year. As far as pricing is concerned, due to addition of loads of new features, it is expected that the latest version could be priced at around Rs 10,000 to 15,000 more over the current 390 Duke.

From the picture of the heavily camouflaged 2017 390 Duke we can confirm that the upcoming motorcycle will adopt an all-new design language. Key highlights of the new design language indicate that the headlight unit has been redesigned with a much sharper and petite unit with a slit to separate the multibeam headlamp. The instrument cluster is now relocated and mounted directly on the handlebar instead of on the headlamp unit. The fuel tank also has been redesigned while the tank extensions are longer and overlap the USD forks. It is also rumoured that the switchgear has also been changed and it will feature an all-digital console based on the new 690 Duke’s unit. The frame of the bike has also been redesigned while the rear section is smaller in comparison to the existing model with integrated taillight unit which was seen in the test mule. Also instead of the underbelly exhaust, the 2017 KTM 390 Duke will feature a conventional exhaust muffler to comply with the new Euro 4 norms.

The 2017 390 Duke carries over a revised version of the current model’s 373.27 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which currently develops 32 kW (44 hp) and 35 Nm of torque. Modifications may bring increased power and torque and more control on their delivery thanks to incorporation of ride-by-wire technology. Reports say a few more mechanical changes, such as a second counter-balancer shaft for the engine, ECU update and cooling system improvements, are also on the cards.

Enjoy the video below!

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Royal Enfield Continental GT with a 750cc parallel twin engine spotted testing

India's favourite cruiser manufacturer, Royal Enfield, has been spotted testing a 750cc parallel twin engine bolted onto a modified Continental GT's chassis, in Spain. Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the engine could make it to production by the end of 2017. A few months ago, the same engine was also spotted on a Classic 500 that had been modified to carry the new engine.

As it is evident from the spy shots, the engine bolted to the chassis is substantially bigger than the single cylinder used by the current Continental GT. This calls for a few updates so that the chassis can accommodate a bigger engine and the added weight.

Other details which we were able to spot are in the above image is an oil-cooled radiator unit and a small oil filter at the base of the engine. Since it's a parallel twin motor, it features dual exhaust pipes, similar to the Triumph Bonneville Classic range. The motor is also said to be a carburetted one, forcing us to believe that it will make it to the Indian market first and then will it be exported to other countries, because using a fuel-injected engine is not mandatory in our country, courtesy lenient emission norms and that a motorcycle running carburettors will simply be non-conforming to Euro IV emission norms and therefore, won't be allowed to run on European roads.

There has been no word from Royal Enfield regarding the bike's launch or power figures. Though, if we were to guess the power figure, we would bet on a figure that lies in the ballpark of 40PS. Good enough to get any bike enthusiasts drooling, especially when the price is expected to be competitive. Why, you ask? Simply because it is Royal Enfield.

Siddhartha Lal, CEO Royal Enfield, stated, "Royal Enfield is the most profitable motorcycle company in the world in terms of percentages and we are thinking broader and thinking globally as we want to be the world leader in the middleweight sector."

India still remains the largest market for Royal Enfield, with over 4.5 lakh units sold domestically. With the likes of Triumph, Harley-Davidson et al, Royal Enfield is keen on stepping up its game and not simply resting on laurels. The bike has been developed at the Royal Enfield Technology Centre in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.

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Hero Splendor iSmart 110 Launched At Rs 53,300

Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has introduced a new motorcycle in its successful Splendor series. Priced at Rs 53,300 (ex-showroom, New Delhi), the Splendor iSmart 110 is the latest addition to the company’s product portfolio. The new motorcycle is apparently the first product to be indigenously developed by Hero after its split with Honda. The Splendor iSmart 110 made its first public debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February.

The Splendor iSmart 110 has been styled with an evolved design language along with fresh colour schemes. It features black alloy wheels, split rear grab rails and a semi-digital instrument cluster. The motorcycle is also equipped with Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) for better visibility/safety of the rider. Notably, the riders will not have the option of switching it off. 

As the name suggests, the motorcycle is powered by an 110cc air-cooled, single-cylinder TOD (torque on demand) engine that is capable of producing 9.4PS of power and 9Nm of peak torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a 4-speed transmission. 

Hero MotoCorp has equipped the motorcycle with its i3S (Idle Stop and Start System) technology that was first featured in the Splendor iSmart. The i3S technology is programmed to switch off the engine after the bike has idled in neutral for five seconds, after which the rider depresses the clutch lever to engage gear automatically and start the motorcycle, which in turn helps save fuel. The Splendor iSmart 110 comes with 130mm drum brakes at the front while the rear gets a 110mm unit.

In the current 110cc commuter segment of motorcycles, the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 will be seen competing against the rivals of the Honda Livo, Yamaha Saluto RX and the new TVS Victor.

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DSK Benelli TNT 600i ABS Launched in India

DSK-Benelli has officially launched the 2016 TNT 600i with switchable ABS in India priced at INR 5.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The naked street-fighter first equipped with ABS first made its public appearance at the 2016 Auto Expo earlier this year and the upgrade comes in-line with the company's announcement. The ABS equipped version is priced at a INR 40,000 premium compared to the outgoing version and dealerships across the country are already accepting bookings for the model at a token amount of INR 40,000-50,000.

With the addition of ABS, DSK-Benelli will phase out the non-ABS version of the TNT 600i that is currently on sale. The most affordable four-cylinder motorcycle in the country, the Benelli TNT 600i uses a 600cc liquid-cooled engine equipped with fuel injection that churns out 85.07bhp of power at 11,500rpm and peak torque of 54.6Nm at 10,500rpm. The motor comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

For the 2016 model year, the Benelli TNT 600i ABS gets no visual changes. The street-fighter is built on a semi-Trellis tubular steel frame with a cast aluminum chassis at the rear. The Italian offering differentiates itself with extended tank shrouds at the sides, bulbous headlamp cluster and the under seat exhausts. Suspension duties are performed by inverted telescopic forks up front, while the rear gets a monoshock setup.

Talking about braking performance, the Benelli TNT 600i uses 320mm dual discs up front and a single 260mm single disc brake at the rear. With ABS now onboard, riders will find hard braking more confident, especially under emergency situations. Benelli had also showcased the ABS equipped TNT 600 GT at the expo this year and the tourer is expected to get the safety feature very soon.

DSK-Benelli made its foray into the Indian market a little over a year ago and is one of the fastest growing premium motorcycle brands in the country. At the 2016 Auto Expo this February, the company announced that it will be introducing four new products later this year, most awaited of which are the Tornado 300 full faired bike and the TRK 502 adventure tourer. The company operates out of 16 dealerships across India, which are expected to reach 20 by the end of the 2016 calendar year.

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2016 TVS BMW G310R Spotted Testing Again in India [EXCLUSIVE] [VIDEO]

Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in February this year, the BMW G310R was spotted testing yet again on Bangalore-Chennai highway near Hosur in South India, wearing a blue shade and without any camouflage. The model seen in the images is identical to the one displayed at the expo. Having made its global debut late last year, the G310R is one of the most awaited motorcycles in the quarter-litre segment and will be the first product to come from the much talked about TVS-BMW alliance.

The G310R isn't just BMW's access card to the volumes friendly quarter-litre segment globally but has helped TVS to improve its technological prowess. The street-fighter has been built with the engineering and R&D teams of the German auto giant, whereas the Indian manufacturer will be producing the bike and exporting it globally from its Hosur based facility. The Indo-German partnership is expected to spawn more products in the future under both brands. The bike spotted testing is the international variant and had sports both TVS and BMW Logos Together.

The BMW G310R uses a 313cc single-cylinder DOHC engine tuned for 34bhp at 9500rpm and 28Nm of torque at 7500rpm. The motor comes paired to a 6-speed gearbox. BMW has also suggested several innovations on the G310R that gets twisted cylinder head with a canted cylinder, making for a better air and fuel mixture, while the compression ratio is tuned to accept all kinds of fuel quality.

In terms of design, the triangular headlamp cluster continues to take an imposing stance on the bike, complimented with the bulbous fuel tank, additional side fenders, and the step-up single seat. The styling of the bike is based on the on the flagship S1000R street bike. The wide handlebars and centre-set footpegs result in a comfortable riding posture while a short wheelbase provides for easy maneuverability.

Some of the highlights of the TVS BMW G310R includes, 41mm thick USD (upside down) forks up front and a mono-shock unit at the rear, Michelin tyres hugging the 17 inch 5 spoke alloys, 300 mm front disc with 4-piston fixed caliper and 240 mm rear disc with 2-piston floating caliper, LED side indicators, center stand, 12V charging socket, while ABS will be offered as standard. Incidentally, the BMW G310R spotted on test did not have an ABS ring, hinting that the bike maker could introduce a non-ABS version as well of the motorcycle, in a bid to command a lower asking price.

According to the test rider of the bike, the BMW G310R weighs 158.5kg, has a top speed of around 160kmph, the mileage figure for the BMW motorcycle is between 25 to 28 kmpl (the figures though remain to be tested) and it has a fuel tank capacity of 11 liters. Production of the BMW G310R has commenced with the first lot of motorcycles being exported to international markets from next week onwards. Also, the Indian-spec BMW 310R will have few alterations but exact details on the same aren’t available as of now.

Pictures of the bike undergoing testing without camouflage signals the fact that the BMW G310R will be launched soon in our two-wheeler market. We expect that the bike will be launched in India during the festive season and it will be sold through official BMW Motorrad dealerships that are scheduled to start operations in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Ahmedabad by end of 2016. Meanwhile, expect to see more of the G310R spy shots emerging online. The BMW G310R is expected to be priced around Rs 2.5 lakh ex-showroom and will rival the likes of the KTM Duke 390, Mahindra Mojo 300, Benelli TNT 300 among others.

Watch the Video below!

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Image and Video Courtesy: Navin Kumar

Bajaj Pulsar CS400 Launching Soon

Bajaj Pulsar CS400 Concept

Breaking: Bajaj Auto has confirmed that it will be launching the two new motorcycles later this year in the country with one of them being the much awaited Pulsar CS 400. Speaking about its new product launch programme, Bajaj Auto President (Business Development & Assurance), S Ravikumar said, "We are planning to launch an upgrade for the Platina and a totally new Pulsar at the top-end in the next quarter."

While Ravikumar wasn't open about the name of the new Pulsar being launched, the CS 400 is our best guess and the bike maker's big ticket to the performance two-wheeler space. The updates are expected to be mediocre to the Platina, it's the launch of the Pulsar CS 400 that fans have been eagerly waiting for. The Pulsar CS400 (Cruiser Sport) was first showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi as a concept and has been caught testing multiple times in the recent weeks.

The heavily camouflaged test mule reveals little in terms of aesthetic changes but the bodywork, LED tail lights and headlamp cluster indicate that the changes will be minimal compared to the concept. The spy shots also reveal a midship exhaust unit along with  illuminated switch-gear and twin instrument console (one located conventionally on the handlebar, while the other digital display unit was located on the fuel tank, similar to the Ducati Diavel).

Showcased for the first time at the Auto Expo 2014, the Pulsar CS400 could be Bajaj's next big Pulsar launch. When launched the Bajaj Pulsar CS400 will be the most powerful and the most expensive Pulsar to be sold. The Bajaj CS400 is a street fighter similar in many aspects to its smaller sibling- the 200NS.

The motorcycle is expected to be powered by the KTM Duke 390’s engine. The motor in question, a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 373 cc unit develops 43.5 PS at 9,000 rpm and 35 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, and is paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

Similar to the KTM, the Bajaj Pulsar CS400 could come equipped with features like ABS, a slipper clutch, a fully digital instrument cluster, LED taillights, alloy or aluminum footpegs and (projector \ optional) LED headlight with an option of an always-on headlight feature. Talking about the price tag, honestly, not much is known about the superbike for now, but we estimate the superbike to cost around INR 2 Lakh.

That's all we know about the Bajaj CS400 for now so stay tuned for more updates!