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Audi-Ducati’s first offering

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Audi and Ducati’s first ofering is certainly more radical than we thought

After German car maker Audi took over Ducati, we did expect something worth raising eye-brows from the clan. But much to our surprise (and unlike our guesses of a ‘diesel L-twin’), the news is that the company has built an electric pushbike. The electric pedal bike, or “pedelec’ has been designed keeping stunting in mind, with a dedicated mode (called ‘Wheelie’ mode, in which the power to rear wheel is moderated when front wheel is in air). Weighing about 7 kgs more than a conventional pushbike, the bike has a carbon fibre frame and 26” carbon fibre-reinforced plastic wheels. Powered by a Li-ion battery, the range of the pushbike is 50-70 km, with a top speed of 80 km/h. The most interesting feature of the bike is an on-board computer which wire-lessly communicates with the rider’s smart-phone, along with keeping a record of the number of stunts rider has performed, along with comparing them to others on Facebook.

This interesting piece of machine will be revealed at Worthersee Volkswagen Group enthusiast expo later this year.

From India, to the World

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Suzuki plans to make India an export hub

Suzuki Motorcycles India Private Limited recently announced its second plant which will come up in Rohtak, Haryana. The foundation stone laying ceremony was performed by Haryana chief minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda. This new plant will be finished by 2014 and will have an annual capacity of 500,000 units. Suzuki Motorcycles will be further expanding this plant depending on the growth of the Indian market.

Suzuki is also planning to use India as an export hub for its two-wheelers, especially the mass-segment commuters. SMIPL National Head-Marketing, Anu Anamika recently said at the launch of the Hayate mass-segment motorcycle “Yes, this is possible, but I cannot tell you which part of the country this would be located.” Exports to neighbouring countries have already commenced from the Gurgaon plant and this is proposed to be stepped up in future with exports to Southeast Asian countries, too.

The Gurgaon unit, on which a Rs.400-crore investment has been made since the company commenced operations at this unit in 2006, has an annual capacity of 3.6 lakh units (of scooters and motorcycles). This will be ramped up to 5.4 lakh units by 2013-14 when investment would increase to Rs.500 crore, according to Ms. Anamika.

Yamaha’s big plan for India

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Setting up a new two-wheeler factory in Tamil Nadu

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Tamil Nadu approving the construction and operation of a new two-wheeler factory in the state. The new facility will join the company’s Surajpur (UP) and Faridabad (Haryana) factories to meet the rising demand for two-wheelers in India, where the new factory could also produce scooters, like the Ray which was displayed during the 2012 Auto Expo.

The new factory is to be constructed on a lot of approx. 440,000 sq.m. in an industrial park in Vallam Vadagal on the outskirts of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Plans call for the construction of a factory facility with a total floor space of approx. 114,000 m2 and is scheduled to begin in September 2012, with completion and start of operations scheduled for January 2014. The company aim to employ 1,800 people and have an annual two-wheeler production rate of 400,000 units at the start of operations. Production capacity will then be increased in stages to a level of 1.8 million units annually by 2018, at which time employment is expected to reach 6,500 people. The forecast for the total investment in the new factory and facilities is approx. Rs 1,500 crores over the next five years.

Discovering new Avenues

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Bajaj launches new Discover 125 ST

Bajaj Auto has just launched the Discover 125 ST in India. The ST monicker here stands for ‘Sports Tourer’ which Bajaj says is a first for the Discover platform. The 125 ST is powered by a 125-cc, twin-spark, air-cooled, 4-valve engine producing 13 PS of peak power and 10.8Nm of peak torque. The big change here is the inclusion of a monoshock suspension, designed to endow the Discover with sportier handling than its peers which traditionally employs archaic twin shock absorbers at the rear.

Like most of its siblings, the ST will also employ Bajaj’s patented ExhausTEC, and also incorporate a 200 petal disc brake setup upfront for better braking prowess. With a kerb weight of 124.5 kgs, the ST is good enough to reach a top speed of around 105 kmph thanks to a new five-speed gearbox and all the aforementioned innovations. Fuel tank capacity stands at a conservative 10 litres.

The new Discovers will go on sale next month, and pricing will be released at the time of its sale. Currently, the price of the Discover range starts from Rs 50,000 (on-road, Pune).

Moto Morini Begin A Fresh Innings

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Italian marque reveals first bike after being rescued last year

After being rescued by Eagle Bikes, owned by Sandro Capotosti and Ruggeromassimo Jannuzzelli, Moto Morini have revealed a new bike, called the Rebello 1200, on their 75th anniversary.

This new bike shares its 1,200-cc, 133 PS V-twin with its elder cousin, the Corsaro. It also shares the tubular steel frame with the Corsaro. However, the styling is reminiscent of the old café racers. The suspension set-up includes fully adjustable Marzocchi front forks and Öhlins adjustable rear shock. Braking at both the ends has been taken care of by Brembo. The Rebello will come with an innovative electrically moveable saddle that takes the it from monoposto to biposto with a simple flick of switch, while maintaining the bike’s rear-cowling look.

In keeping with its siblings’ pricing strategy, expect the Rebello 1200 to be priced around the Rs. 10 lakh (approximately € 14k) mark in European markets when it goes on sale later this year.