L-R: Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder & CTO, Ather Energy and Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, Ather Energy with the EL platform and REDUX concept e-scooter.

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler major Ather Energy unveiled its new scooter platform ‘EL’ and a suite of advanced technologies at its annual Community Day event. The new platform is designed to be more versatile, scalable and cost-effective, marking the company’s first major vehicle architecture since the launch of the 450 series.

Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO, Ather Energy, said, “With the EL platform, we are laying the foundation for Ather’s next phase of growth. Just as the 450 defined our first chapter, EL will define the next, enabling us to develop multiple types of scooters at scale far more efficiently. This platform-first approach enables faster innovation and improved efficiency, serviceability, and rider experience. EL reflects years of learning, deep R&D, and engineering. Our new factory at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will scale with EL platform products to meet growing demand effectively.”

In addition to the new platform, Ather announced several key technological and product updates:

• AtherStack 7.0: The latest version of Ather's software introduces voice-based interaction with the scooter. The system uses a large language model trained on Indian dialects, allowing for more natural conversations. New safety features like Pothole Alerts and Crash Alerts are also part of this update.
• Faster Charging: Ather unveiled a new 6 kW fast charger that is half the size of its predecessor and can add up to 30 km of range in just 10 minutes for select models. The new chargers will also feature built-in tyre inflators.
• Infinite Cruise: This new advanced cruise control system is specifically designed for Indian riding conditions. It offers three modes – CityCruise, Hill Control and Crawl Control – that adapt to different environments, from city traffic to steep inclines and uneven roads.
• Product Updates: The Rizta family scooter will now feature a touchscreen dashboard and a new ‘Terracotta Red’ colour. An ‘Eco Mode’ will also be added to balance performance with range. Additionally, the Ather Halo smart helmet has been updated with new safety and convenience features.

Ather also showed off a concept moto-scooter called Redux, which provides a glimpse into the company's future vision for performance and rider-vehicle interaction. The concept features a lightweight aluminium frame, 3D-printed components and a user interface that adapts to the rider's posture and intent.

The new EL platform and software updates position Ather to expand its product line and continue its growth in the electric two-wheeler market. The company’s new factory in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is expected to scale up production to meet the anticipated demand for vehicles built on the EL platform.

Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder & CTO, Ather Energy, said, “At Ather, we have always focused on simplifying technology and making it mainstream for riders. With AtherStack 7.0, we’re bringing AI into everyday riding through an LLM (Large Language Model) trained for our use cases and tuned to Indian dialects. Voice is the first step in that journey, an interface beyond buttons that makes rides smarter, safer, and more intuitive. It also makes our existing suite of AtherStack 7.0 features more accessible and mainstream for everyday use.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced pricing and opened bookings for the Honda XR300 L and Honda XR300 Rally. The announcement follows the initial unveiling of both models in July 2026 as part of the company's product expansion plans.

The XR300 L is priced at INR 183,000 ex-showroom Bengaluru, while the XR300 Rally is priced at INR 208,000 ex-showroom Bengaluru. Effective from 5 October 2026, bookings for both models have opened across the manufacturer's BigWing dealership network and online platform for a reservation amount of INR 5,000.

Both motorcycles are powered by a 293.5cc air-cooled engine equipped with an oil cooler; both variants come with torque control systems, rear suspension setups, front and rear disc brakes, switchable dual-channel ABS and an assist slipper clutch.

The XR300 L is designed for mixed city and off-road use and is offered in Extreme Red and Shasta White colour options. The XR300 Rally features bodywork designed for wind protection during long-distance riding, along with a TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity.

The Rally variant is available in Extreme Red and True Black options. Both models form part of the manufacturer's domestic production initiative for local and export markets.

Triumph Motorcycles, one of the leading premium motorcycle manufacturers, has expanded its lineup in India with the launch of the Bonneville T40, T40 Black and T4 models, with pricing starting at INR 279,999 ex-showroom, Delhi, while the latter is priced at INR 254,999 ex-showroom, Delhi.

The new models feature traditional styling elements, including a teardrop fuel tank, round headlight, twin rear shock absorbers and spoked wheels with aluminium rims. The motorcycles are available in two-tone schemes with hand-painted coach lining and peashooter silencers. The bikes offer an accessible ergonomic setup, featuring a low seat height that can be reduced to 770 millimetres with an accessory seat.

All three variants are powered by a 350cc iteration of Triumph's TR Series engine. The engine produces 29 PS of power at 7,000 rpm and 31 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, tuned to deliver low-end torque and a distinct exhaust note.

The T40 and T40 Black feature a four-inch circular TFT instrument display with smartphone connectivity, including map navigation, phone and music controls. The models also come equipped with five ride modes, cruise control, cornering ABS and cornering traction control. The Bonneville T4 includes a colour LCD with turn-by-turn navigation, selectable ride modes, and dual-channel ABS.

Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles, said, “The Bonneville is one of the most significant motorcycles in Triumph's history, so introducing a new model carrying that name comes with a responsibility to get it right. From the outset, our ambition was not simply to create a smaller Bonneville, but to create a motorcycle that delivers the style, character and ownership experience riders expect from a genuine Bonneville. Bringing that experience to more riders is strategically important for Triumph, particularly as lower-capacity motorcycle categories continue to grow around the world."

"Working closely with Bajaj, we challenged ourselves to retain the details and qualities that make a Bonneville special, from the proportions and finish to traditional touches such as hand-painted coach lining, while also introducing a level of technology and rider-focused innovation not previously seen in this category. The result is a motorcycle that stays true to the values that have defined the Bonneville for generations while opening the experience to even more riders.” Sargent added.

The company has begun online bookings for the motorcycles starting 7 October 2026. Deliveries for the Bonneville T40 and T40 Black are scheduled to begin in the second week of November 2026, while deliveries for the Bonneville T4 will commence in the second week of January 2027.

Aprilia India has launched its SXR GT scooter lineup, introducing the SXR GT 125 hp-e and SXR GT 175 hp-e models to expand its product offerings in the country. The SXR GT 125 hp-e is priced at an introductory rate of INR 109,999 ex-showroom, Maharashtra, while the SXR GT 175 hp-e is priced at INR 129,999 ex-showroom, Maharashtra.

The scooters are powered by air-cooled single-cylinder engines. The 124.45 cc engine produces 7.8 kW of power at 7,400 rpm and 10.4 Nm of torque at 6,200 rpm, while the 174.7 cc engine delivers 9.76 kW at 7,200 rpm and 14.14 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.

Both scooters feature three valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, electric starting, and compliance with BSVI OBD II Stage B regulations and E20 fuel blends. The chassis setup incorporates 14-inch wheels fitted to both models.

Suspension is handled by telescopic front forks and a dual-effect hydraulic shock absorber with five-position adjustability at the rear. Braking relies on a 220 mm front disc brake paired with a 140 mm rear drum brake, with the 125 cc variant utilising a combined braking system and the 175 cc variant employing an anti-lock braking system.

The SXR GT 125 hp-e is available in Matte Black, Glossy Azzurro, and Glossy White colour finishes, while the SXR GT 175 hp-e comes in Metallic Blue, Matte Black and Matte Green. Both models have gone on sale across Aprilia dealerships in India.

Royal Enfield and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) have commenced a two-year partnership spanning 2026 to 2028 aimed at promoting responsible riding, travel and cultural tourism across the state.

The collaboration was initiated with the flag-off of a flagship motorcycle expedition in Bhopal, attended by Dr Ilayaraja T., Secretary of Tourism for the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Managing Director of the MPTB; Dileep Kumar Yadav, Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) and Amitabh Pandey, Director of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS).

The inaugural 1,520-kilometre expedition, taking place from 1 to 10 October 2026, involves 20 participants riding the Bullet 650 motorcycle. The route connects wildlife reserves, heritage sites and regional highways, covering Bhopal, Pachmarhi, Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna and returning to Bhopal. A closing event scheduled for 9 October 2026 in Bhopal will mark the completion of the ride.

Over the two-year agreement period, Royal Enfield and the MPTB plan to expand the initiative to include heritage rides, off-road trail explorations and curated motorcycling routes across Madhya Pradesh.