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TVS has upgraded its popular 110cc motorcycle StaR City with a new variant – the 2012 edition.

The bike will now feature cosmetic changes like dual tone body colours, new headlamp and clear indicators. StaR City 2012 edition will come in six new colour combinations, which include ‘Electric Green’, ‘Bold Blue’, Red Blaze, ‘Gold Spark’, ‘Silver Strike’ and ‘Crimson Flash’.

There are no changes to the CVTi (Continuous Variable Timing Ignition) engine and TVS claims a mileage of 83.9 kilometers per litre. The base version TVS StaR City 110cc starts at Rs. 38,650/- (Ex Delhi) with a five-year warranty.

Chennai based auto major, TVS Motor Company, announced that it would launch four new two-wheeler models this year.

The game plan is to launch two motorcycles in the executive segment and two scooters so that it can topple Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India from its recently acquired third position in the two-wheeler market, as TVS has slipped to forth position.

 

The first to enter India will be Qube, a hybrid scooter, in June 2012, which the company had displayed in the last two Auto Expos. Initially TVS would like to see the response the hybrid scooter gets and would introduce just 200 scooters before its commercial launch in 2013. The Qube has two sources of power, including a 100cc four-stroke engine and an electric hub motor. The rider has the option to choose from a range of modes, depending on his or her requirement. This hybrid system charges the lithium ion battery when the brakes are applied and utilizes this power whenever required. Something like the KERS used in Formula One cars. In addition, it also has a stop-start hybrid which would further saves fuel. One has the option of using the electric only mode for short trips and, obviously, the engine only mode is present as well.

 

According to TVS the Qube delivers significant emission reduction and improved fuel economy in city traffic driving with 35 % reduction in CO2 emission, 30% HC + NOx reduction and an increase of 35% in fuel economy. The company claims a fuel economy of around 70kpl in typical city riding conditions.

 

TVS will also introduce a brand new motorcycle model in the entry level 125-cc segment with 4-speed gear box in June 2012. Apart from this, the Victor model with be re-introduced along with a new a 125cc scooter in December 2012.

 

These models will hopefully fetch bigger numbers for TVS, but we would have liked to see the upgraded Apache range also mentioned in the announcement. Enthusiasts calling TVS.

The KTM 200 Duke is here and it was worth the long wait

The KTM Duke 200 was spotted innumerable times on the NH 4, being tested by Bajaj Auto’s test riders. We saw its pictures too. The specifications were out last month and they were enough to give us the goose bumps. A 200-cc liquid-cooled engine producing 25 PS of peak power and fitted on a machine that weighs just 136 kg (kerb weight, mind you, not dry) was enough to give one an idea of this machine’s prowess.

And now, Bike India finally got to test this beauty of a machine. And boy, is she a hoot to ride. Watch out for our comprehensive review in the January 2012 issue of BI, on stands come 20th December.

 

 

Suzuki Motorcycles India have launched Intruder M800 in 12 cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. This cruiser is equipped with a 805-cc, V-twin engine and is priced at Rs 8.8 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi. The styling of this new bike has been inspired by the bigger M1800 Intruder which carries a price tag of Rs 14.9 lakh OTR, Pune.

New Bottle, Same Wine.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100% owned 2-wheeler subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Japan has introduced the new Deluxe variant of its popular 150cc motorcycle – CB Unicorn Dazzler.

The new variant of CB Unicorn Dazzler comes in two new dual tone colour options – Pearl Sunbeam White (with Red) and Black (with Grey) along with new age graphics highlighting Honda’s marquee.

The new CB Unicorn Dazzler will be available across Honda showrooms to the customers by the end of November, 2011. The technical specifications of both Standard and Deluxe variants shall however remain the same.

Churning out 14 Ps power from its 150cc engine, the new Unicorn is still the stable horse one expects it to be. The new Unicorn Dazzler will retain the same characteristics of the standardized Dazzler along with some cosmetic makeovers and has the same comfortable seating position, smooth and refined engine, better graphics, fuel economy of 60kmpl (estimated), maintenance free battery and a viscous air filter for more convenience.

The Standard variant of CB Unicorn Dazzler will continue to be available in three colours – Armour Gold Metallic, Pearl Nightstar Black and Pearl Siena Red and is priced at Rs. 65,198/- (Ex-showroom, Delhi). While deluxe variant will be available in two colours and priced at Rs. 66198/-, (Ex-showroom, Delhi.).