Royal Enfield has launched the 2022 Classic 350 with a starting price of INR 1.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai) in 5 variants and 11 colour options.

The newly-launched Classic’s styling does not stray too much from the previous model’s styling. It continues to feature the iconic teardrop fuel tank and headlamp that are synonymous with the long-dated heritage of the Classic brand.

The legacy of the Classic brand dates back to 1948 with the Royal Enfield Model G2, the first to have swinging arm rear suspension on a full production motorcycle. The Model G2 served as a strong design inspiration for the hugely popular Classic 500 and Classic 350 launched in 2008. 

The new Classic 350, according to the company, has a wider handlebar, strengthened grab rail, a new analogue dial with an LCD display and a USB port. It continues to be equipped with the same twin downtube frame­ –  now stiffer for better stability – and the same front and rear suspension.

For better comfort, the Classic has wider seats with soft-foam cushion padding. New handlebars with a slightly tweaked riding position add to better riding ergonomics.

The 349 cc, air-oil cooled, 5-speed, single-cylinder engine, borrowed directly from the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, generates a power of 20.2 bhp at 6,100 rpm and a torque of 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Unlike the Classic 350s of the past, the new model comes with smooth linear power delivery across the band. The new primary balancer shaft cuts down most of the vibrations experienced by previous Royal Enfield owners. Much to the joy of enthusiasts, the new Classic 350 retains the unmistakable thump of the exhaust note, although now refined and subdued to an extent.

Owing to massive demand from various audience backgrounds, Royal Enfield has revealed the motorcycle in five versions  Redditch, Halcyon, Signals, Dark and Chrome. The Redditch series comes in Grey and Sage Green colours. It has wire-spoked wheels, a single saddle and is the only series in the new Classic 350 range to get single-channel ABS. The Halcyon series is offered in Black, Grey and Green shades. It carries the wire-spoked wheels and gets dual-channel ABS.

The Signals variant is offered in Desert Sand and Marsh Grey options. It has wire-spoked wheels and dual-channel ABS. The Dark series, offered in Gunmetal Grey and Stealth Black colours, also comes with blacked components but gets alloy wheels over the wire-spoked wheels on the Signals variant.

The most expensive edition, the Chrome series is available in Bronze and Red paint options; it also gets the Tripper navigation assist as seen on the Meteor 350.

The Classic 350 weighs 195 kg and hosts a 13-litre fuel tank. It gets a 19-inch front wheel housing a 100/90-section tyre and an 18-inch rear wheel with a 120/80-section tyre. Braking duties are handled by a 300 mm front disc with a 2-piston floating caliper and a 270 mm rear disc with single-piston floating caliper. The Redditch variant, however, gets a 153 mm rear drum brake.

Bookings will open at 6 pm today and customers can also choose from as many as 35 accessories that have been developed for the classic-looking modern machine. Both the accessories and the motorcycle are offered with a three-year warranty and a year’s roadside assistance (for the bike).

Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director, Eicher Motors, said, “Through our history, we have been consistent in our pursuit to build timeless, classic, beautiful motorcycles that are great fun to ride, and the new Classic 350 does just that. Built ground-up, on our modern J-series engine, with an all-new chassis, the Classic 350 offers a tremendously refined and perfect ride experience that almost feels like riding again for the first time. The supremely well calibrated engine is super smooth, intuitively responsive and engaging, and has that gorgeous growl on acceleration. The all-new chassis inspires enormous confidence while handling and is especially well-mannered in tight traffic situations and around twisty corners. We are confident that the incredibly refined all-new Classic 350 will once again redefine the mid-size motorcycle space globally.” (MT)

 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bajaj Auto, one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers, has updated its popular Pulsar 150 motorcycle range. The updates include the introduction of LED headlamps and LED blinkers to the model, which the company states is intended to improve visibility and usability while maintaining the vehicle's design identity.

The updated range is available at the following ex-showroom Delhi prices – Pulsar 150 SD at INR 108,772, Pulsar 150 SD UG at INR 111,669 and Pulsar 150 TD UG at INR 115,481.

The motorcycle retains its frame and stance, though Bajaj has introduced new colour options and graphics. The Pulsar 150 continues to utilise DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark-ignition) technology, which uses two spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, intended to improve combustion efficiency and power output.

The update focuses on integrating modern lighting components into the existing platform, which originally established the sports motorcycling segment in India.

Sarang Kanade, President, Motorcycle Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Pulsar 150 has defined performance motorcycling for generations. With this update, we have preserved its classic character while thoughtfully adding modern LED lighting, ensuring the Pulsar 150 remains relevant, recognisable and Definitely Daring.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, held a mileage contest for the Suzuki Access scooter in Palwal. The event involved 35 participants, including current owners and prospective buyers, to test the fuel efficiency of the scooter under city driving conditions.

The initiative is part of the brand’s ‘Pickup Bhi, Mileage Bhi’ strategy, which focuses on balancing engine performance with fuel economy and build quality.

The event was organised in partnership with RV Suzuki in Palwal. The participants, all of whom had purchased their scooters within the last year, followed a specific testing protocol: a designated 20-kilometre circuit on city roads, scooters were operated on a full tank, then refilled at the end of the journey to calculate the exact fuel consumed.  Potential customers were provided with test rides and the opportunity to interview existing owners regarding reliability and comfort.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The Suzuki Access Mileage Contest places a strong focus on fuel efficiency, bringing our brand promise of ‘Pickup Bhi, Mileage Bhi, Shandar Quality Ke Sath’ to life. By riding on city roads, participants experience the scooter’s real-world mileage. Along with mileage, customers also get to experience the quality and reliability that have made the Access a trusted choice of over 6 million customers. We appreciate the participation from customers in Palwal. We will continue to extend such on-ground initiatives to more cities across India, allowing customers to connect closely with out two-wheelers and witness their performance firsthand.”

The company intends to expand these on-ground initiatives to additional cities across India to demonstrate the performance of its two-wheeler portfolio in local environments.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric has expanded its Hyperservice initiative by launching dedicated centres that offer a same-day service guarantee for eligible customers at no extra cost. The company will upgrade its existing service infrastructure into Hyperservice Centres, beginning with a facility in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.

The expansion is intended to reduce service lead times and increase transparency through a digital workflow.

The Hyperservice Centres include several facilities for customers and technical upgrades for vehicle maintenance. The waiting area includes a lounge and Wi-Fi connectivity for customers. Real-time visibility of the servicing stages is provided via the Ola Electric app. Going forward, the company plans to upgrade selected centres across India in the coming weeks.

Ola Electric has also transitioned Hyperservice into an open platform. This move makes the company’s spare parts, diagnostic tools, and training modules available to independent garages, mechanics, and fleet operators.

Under this model, parts can be purchased directly through the Ola Electric app or website. This is intended to allow garages and customers to access components without the use of intermediaries.

“As part of the ongoing service upgrade we are reimagining many of the fundamental aspects of the service experience. We see it as a core part of Ola ownership, and it needs the same level of innovation as the product itself. With Hyperservice Centres, we are setting a new benchmark – same-day service guarantee. At no extra cost for any customer. This is about using technology, process redesign and scale to remove friction and give every Ola customer a faster, simpler and more transparent service experience,” said the company in a statement.

The company has rolled out an in-app service appointment feature nationwide. The tool allows users to select service slots, track the status of their vehicle, and manage maintenance requirements within the unified platform to replace traditional booking methods.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced the appointment of Hajime Aota as the Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group, effective from 1 January 2026. He is set to succeed Itaru Otani, who held the position since November 2024.

The appointment comes as Yamaha continues its focus on the premium segment and digital integration within the Indian two-wheeler market.

Aota joins the Indian operations with experience in corporate strategy, planning and venture business development. He has held leadership roles in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Prior to this role, Aota served as Executive Officer at Yamaha Motor Co, and Chief General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Centre at the global headquarters in Japan. In these positions, he managed corporate strategy, sustainability and digital transformation.

He has also worked as Chairperson of Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV) overseeing investments in robotics, transportation, fintech and health technologies. He has also contributed towards Yamaha Motor Group’s long-term growth strategy.

Aota is a graduate of Keio University and holds a qualification from the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.

Hajime Aota, said, “I am very excited to begin my journey in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse two-wheeler markets. The rapidly evolving aspirations of Indian consumers, especially the youth, align strongly with Yamaha’s focus on premium products, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Leading Yamaha in India is a significant responsibility, and my focus is on strengthening the brand by delivering products that seamlessly combine Yamaha’s global engineering excellence with the evolving needs of Indian riders. I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Yamaha’s presence in this important market.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!