7. TVS Dazz 110
Recently, one Bike India reader spotted a TVS Dazz test mule near the brand’s head-quarters in Hosur, close to Bengaluru. This light weight 110-cc scooter was displayed at the 2016 Auto Expo to get customer feedback and weight the pros-and-cons of launching it in India. Currently, this model is on sale in a few south-east Asian markets and going by the pictures, it seems that TVS has finally decided to launch it in our country this year.
The test bike which was spotted donned bright graphics which compliment its step-through like trendy design. The Dazz gets large 14-inch alloy wheels, telescopic front forks and a mono-shock at the rear. Braking duty is managed by a 200 mm disc in front and a 130 mm rear drum brake. Internationally, the TVS comes with a 110 cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor, good for 8.7 PS at 7,500 rpm and 8.3 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, and a CVT unit. The scooter is available with either a fuel-injection or carburettor, though TVS might just introduce the latter to keep the price in check.
8. TVS Ntorq 125 (Graphite 125 concept)
The other TVS model which has been spied recently is a new premium 125-cc scooter. This one seems to be based on the TVS Graphite 125 concept which was displayed by the company at the 2014 Auto Expo. Unlike the concept, where designers usually go all out with their creativity to wow people, the production model is more understated to appease a wider audience and is more practical for mass production. (Also read: TVS Ntorq 125 launched)
The headlight is positioned on the front apron and it gets LED day-time running lights (DRL) and even the taillamp is all LED. The production version gets a digital instrument console, a chunky exhaust, telescopic front forks, a petal-type front disc brake and runs on snazzy 12-inch alloy wheels. Going by the spy pics, we’re sure the production version of TVS’ 125-cc scooter will be unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo and will compete with the like of the newly launched Honda Grazia 125, Yamaha Ray-ZR and Honda Dio.
9. TVS hybrid scooter
Not to be left behind, engineers at TVS Motor are burning the midnight oil to develop a tailor made hybrid scooter for India. A few prototypes have been spotted already which indicate that a concept could be unveiled at the up-coming Auto Expo. It will remain interesting to see if TVS employs a battery pack to its existing model or launches an all new hybrid scooter. Recently while speaking to the media Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company said that in the absence of charging infrastructure, he feels hybrids will score over electric vehicles. And we couldn’t agree more.
10. TVS Electric Scooter
Like Hero MotorCorp, TVS Motor Company has also invested in a start-up specialising in electric vehicles. The two-wheeler major has reportedly invested close to Rs 5 crore to acquired 14.78 per cent stake in Ultraviolette Automotive Pvt. Ltd, a Bangalore based start-up. The company is developing an electric scooter which will suit the needs of our country and will be robust enough to endure the various road conditions. Investing in start-up help companies like TVS and Hero prepare for the changing policies, give them access to new technologies and alternate mediums of transportation.
In a recent media interaction KN Radhakrisnan, President and CEO, TVS Motor revealed that the company is working on an electric scooter which will be launched by mid-2018. Not surprisingly, a new TVS electric-scooter prototype was spotted recently while charging its battery. According to Radhakrisnan the TVS electric-scooter will borrow plenty of parts from the company’s existing scooters. The spied prototype, though completely camouflaged, had strong resemblance to the popular TVS Jupiter. Will we get to see the production-ready EV at the Auto Expo?
11. 2018 Yamaha Nozza
In a recent interaction, the Indian arm of Yamaha Motors confirmed that they will be focusing mainly on scooters and premium bikes for now. Rightly so, because scooters like the Fascino and Ray-ZR have been raking in the numbers for this Japanese firm. One of their new scooter models was spotted being tested in India. Though the spied scooter had a strong resemblance to Yamaha’s international model Nozza Grande 125, the one in India was being tested along with TVS Jupiter and Honda Activa 4G. This raises the possibility of the new scooter to sport the existing 113-cc engine that powers the existing range of Yamaha scooters. It’s a stylish scooter that takes the Fascino design forward and has new features like external fuel lid located on the inner side of the front apron – under the handlebar, and a large analogue instrument console and the option of disc brake on the front wheel. And yes, this one will also make its debut in February 2018. (Also read: Yamaha ‘Street Rally’ 125-cc scooter launched)
12. Aprilia SR125
Buoyed by the success of the SR150, Aprilia has introduced a smaller capacity variant of the scooter – the SR125. The idea behind the new variant is to address the fuel economy concern raised by many prospective buyers. The peppy SR150 returns close to 35 km/l in the city, which is a lot below expectation. Moreover, many buyers are weary of the additional power the 150-cc unit offers, specially concerned parents gifting scooters to their sixteen-year-olds.
Having a 125-cc variant takes care of these issues as the motor offers adequate power for city use and will also be more frugal. The 125-cc motor is borrowed from the Vespa range and produces about 10 PS and 10.6 Nm. Not much has changed in terms of design or equipment and it still boasts of a disc brake, 14-inch wheels and tyres, and analogue instrument console. The SR125 does get two new colours schemes – blue and silver, and also gets a mono-tone black seat. The new Aprilia scooter has already reached many dealerships and is scheduled to be officially launched on January 14, priced at Rs 65,000 approx.
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