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Drool! Drool! Drool!
Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com (Text) and Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com (Photographs) soak in all the razzle-dazzle at Auto Expo 2016.
Even though two-wheeler giants Royal Enfield and Bajaj Auto have stayed away from the Auto Expo this year by launching their respective models -- the Himalayan and the V15 -- a day before the Auto expo, this segment created a huge media frenzy at the Expo: some due to the launches... and some due to the glamour riding these bikes. ;-)
Welcome to the hottest stall at the Auto Expo
DSK Benelli, the Italian automaker revealed four new products for the Indian market, which include the TNT Naked T-135, BX 250 Motord, Tornado 300 full-faired motorcycle, and the TRK 502 adventure tourer. The new motorcycles join the existing line-up at Benelli in the country and will be launched through out 2016.
Benelli Tornado 300
The DSK Benelli Tornado TNT 300 is based on the TNT 300 currently on sale in India and uses same 300cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine tuned for 35hp at 12,000rpm and 26Nm of torque and a 6-speed gearbox.
Visually, the Tornado 300 is mix of modern bits and old school styling with the wraparound front fender, twin headlamps in a single cluster, while the exposed frame adds a nice touch to the side profile.
The Tornado TNT 300 will be priced at around Rs 297,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).
Benelli Tornado TRE 1130
Benelli Tornado TRE 899
The Benelli TRK 502 is a middleweight adventure tourer. Its touring/off-roading capability is quite evident through its typical adventure motorcycle design and rugged tyres of a dirt track bike.
Benelli TRK 502
The Benelli TRK 502 is expected to ride into the Indian market in the second half of 2016.
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Honda Amazed everybody with the launch of the NAVI. It reminded us all of the good old Rajdoot Bobby. :-)
Honda NAVI
The Navi does look promising with its complete costomisation feature and price tag starting at Rs 39,500. It surely will be a head turner in colleges.
Honda NAVI
Honda also showcased its 'Africa Twin', the performance adventure bike at the Auto Expo and has announced that it will be assembled in India.
Africa Twin
The company also revealed that the Africa Twin will be launched in the country in 2016-end.
Africa Twin
Honda also showcased the concept EV cub based on its most popular Super Cub motorised vehicle scooter ever sold.
Honda EV Cub
The scooter looks futuristic while maintaining the original design of the Super Cub.
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Finally after years of the scooter segment being ruled by the Honda Activa other manufacturers have shown some grunt and going ahead we can look forward to a new race of products.
Seen here is the Suzuki Burgman 650. This is quite an impressive looking muscular scooter.
Suzuki Burgman 650
Suzuki has been working on a CBU (completely built unit) plan for the scooter though nothing is confirmed as yet.
What suzuki will need to do is look at a good pricing point for it to make a dent in the heavyduty compeition in the secooter segment.
Seen with the bike is model Madida Hasiq, 20. She is in the second year of graduation and is working as a model for "pocket money". Madida aspires to be a singer one day.
Suzuki Hayabusa
Suzuki also showcased its much awaited Hayabusa. Seen here with the bike is Kritika Negi, a 21 year old model who aspires to be an actor. She is an MBA in HR.
Suzuki QuadSport Z400
Suzuki has also shocased its ATV (all-terrain vehicle), the Quadsport Z400. This was launched last December at a whoppping price of Rs 8.5 lakh.
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Mahindra Two Wheelers, which has the largest number of launches this year at the Auto Expo, showcased the Mahindra Mojo Adventure concept.
Mahindra Mojo Adventure
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UM Motorcycles, launched 3 Renegade cruiser motorcycles at the Auto Expo today with actor Karan Singh Grover. The bikes under the Renegade range in India will be the Renegade Sport S, Renegade Commando, and Renegade Classic.
UM 3 Renegade
These bikes will be priced in the range of Rs 1.49 lakh to Rs 1.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
UM 3 Renegade
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Yamaha unveiled the male-centric Cygnus Ray-ZR scooter. The new Ray-ZR will share the 113cc 'Blue-Core' engine with its sibling the Ray and Ray-Z.
Yamaha Ray ZR1
It will come in two colour schemes which have been derived from their FZ series.
Yamaha V-Max
Yamaha has also showcased the V-Max and the N-Max scooter along-with their entire Indian line-up.