TVS radeon bike to be launched soon

After a rather silent 2011, TVS Motors is readying itself for an onslaught on the market with a renewed vigor. At the auto expo, the company announced plans to launch four new products this year. These will include a new 125cc executive commuter motorcycle in June 2012.

The Victor name is also destined to make a comeback, after a hiatus of four years, in the form of a 110cc motorcycle which is expected to go on sale on November or December this year. For the scooter segment, TVS will introduce a 125cc scooter to join the current range. The scooter is expected to go on sale in November.

The big news though is that TVS will introduce a hybrid scooter, Qube which was showcased at the last Auto Expo, in June 2012. An initial test launch of 200 scooters will take place initially. A full commercial launch is expected to take place in 2013. Although technical details are scarce, what we do know is that the Qube will be powered by a 100cc engine and Lithium-ion batteries.

The current cost per unit for the hybrid scooter stands between Rs 65,000 to Rs 70,000, which is as much as some motorcycles. With a test launch TVS wants to gauge how much more are buyers willing to pay for new technology over the current crop. The Qube is expected to return close to 70kmpl in city riding conditions and will also have reduced carbon emissions. The scooter will also have two ride modes, namely Economy and Power. As the names suggest, the engine and electric motor work in tandem to either provide the best economy or acceleration.

TVS shows Radeon and Qube concepts at Auto Expo 2012

Chennai based two-wheeler manufacturer, the TVS Motor Company once again displayed their hybrid concept scooter, the Qube, as also seen at the previous Auto Expo. Slated for a commercial launch sometime in 2013, TVS claims the stylish, automatic hybrid scooter remains in its developmental stages.

The company is also displaying another upcoming commuter bike at the Auto Expo, the 125cc Radeon, which when launched shall expand the company’s 125cc portfolio, currently only represented by the Flame. The Radeon can however only be expected to launch by the third quarter of 2013.

TVS also displayed its indigenously developed Automatic Transmission technology concept, which it claims is equally convenient and adaptable on a scooter as a bike, capable of boosting mileage and efficiency by 20 percent. At the Expo, you could also see the 100cc Sport and 110cc Star City that have added on a fresh set of graphics. Similarly, the 110cc Wego scooter will soon adopt 4 new colours in metallic finishes, and be available post April 2012.

Smaller scooter, the ever popular Scooty Streak gets a refresh in the form of a black colour scheme, while the Pep will now sell with white and red graphics.

SCOOP! TVS to launch revised Apache RTR

The TVS Motor company’s flagship models, the Apache RTR series bikes are a popular choice with Indian sportsbike enthusiasts, and for good reasons. Born with the solid foundation of racing heritage, the affordably priced RTR’s, 160 and 180 represent the best of both worlds, engineered to be relaxed enough to ride on a daily basis, yet still providing riders the thrills of exciting performance and sharp edged handling that only true sportsbikes deliver. The RTR 180 to its credit remains to date one of India’s select few motorcycles to provide riders the additional safety of ABS assisted brakes.  

The Apache RTR’s are easily the best looking motorcycles from TVS, which is soon to be taken to the next level. Expect the shortly upcoming RTR variants to sport more contemporary, revised styling, while retaining all their sought after value-for-money features including a heady blend of performance, with good handling and adequate comfort. The new RTR should enter TVS showrooms around the country as early as within some weeks from now, and we don’t expect to see too much more than is already offered by these bikes in terms of extra engine capacity or performance.