The current scene:
The competition is coming up with compelling stuff tugging at the purse strings of the enthusiast biker in India. Yet, TVS Motors, an Indian motorcycle maker known for its continued focus on racing, both on road and off it, isn’t planning to come up with a major upgrade to its flagship motorcycle, the TVS Apache RTR series.
The Apache RTR series of motorcycles were developed with inputs from TVS’s racing program and have been excellent handlers with crisp throttle response to boot. Though TVS has upped the ante with a on-off ABS system on the flagship RTR180, the time is ripe for a major upgrade.
But well, according to TVS’s notification about their 2012 plans from our sources, the Hosur based two wheeler and three wheeler maker has not made any announcement regarding the launch of an upgraded Apache in 2012. Therefore, it might still be sometime before the Apache gets a engine capacity bump up. TVS Apache enthusiasts had been expecting a bigger engined Apache in 2012 as the competition now has a range of motorcycles between the 200-250cc category with more to come in 2012. Think, KTM Duke 200 and the all new 2012 Pulsar to name just two.
TVS focussing on commuter segment bikes:
At the ongoing 2012 Auto Expo, TVS seemed to focus more on the bread-and-butter entry level commuter segment with an indigenously developed automatic gearbox, that can find application in engine capacities ranging from 100cc to 250cc. TVS also claims better fuel economy from this automatic gearbox, which is quite creditable as automatic gearboxes are usually known to reduce fuel economy. Going forward, expect a range of TVS motorcycles and scooters featuring the automatic gearbox technology although the Apache series might still retain the manual gearbox due to the inherent sportiness associated with manual gearboxes.
We, for our part can hope that TVS hastens its 200cc plus motorcycle plans to stay relevant in the Indian high performance premium motorcycle segment as there are a slew of 200-250cc motorcycles lined up for the coming months!
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