By T Murrali

As India will be moving to the new emission regime from April this year, the manufacturing companies are fielding new models of new variants with BS-VI engines. India Yamaha Motor (IYM) has announced a slew of new brands, in line with its concept of ‘The Call of the Blue’ that carved out the ‘The Yamaha Uniqueness’ of product line-ups and experiences through the ‘Blue Square’ network. IYM has fielded four vehicles with several innovative features and technologies, with plans to create a strong network of dealers; nonetheless, it has still kept a conservative sales growth target of 4 percent.

In 2019, the company sold 624,000 units (with 40 percent scooters and the rest motorcycles), witnessing a 13 percent drop in sales over the previous year, matching the industry average. It exported 296,000 units during the year. For 2020, IYM has set a target of 650,000 units with the same break-up for scooters and motorcycles. This is just 4 percent more than last year’s sales. However, it aims to raise exports to 315,000 units.

Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Planning Group, Yamaha Motors India Sales Pvt Ltd, said, “We have been able to increase our market share in deluxe and premium segments and maintain it in the scooter segment (for Fascino), thanks to our focused brand strategy: ‘The Call of the Blue.’ Our success in 2020 will depend on creating a strong network and we have started working on this direction. ‘Blue Square’ is one such initiative.”

‘Blue Square’ 

‘Blue square’ is a unique concept intended to offer Yamaha’s racing DNA to exciting, stylish and sporty products and experiences. ‘The Call of the Blue’ started in 2018 expanded to products and experiences in 2019.

‘Blue Square’ is created as a destination for all two-wheeler enthusiasts. The concept was to expand the company’s uniqueness for fuelling the passion for riding in India featuring a wide range of riding gears and accessories along with the two-wheeler line-ups that deliver good driving experience. Yamaha Blue Square Showrooms will serve the excitement to grow into a popular culture by turning it into an aspiration for every young rider.

To a question on how ‘Blue Square’ will help the company to strengthen its market position, Singh said the company’s objective is to focus on youngsters. It launched the brand campaign ‘The Call of the Blue’ mainly to connect with the young customers. Now IYM is taking it to the next level with ‘Blue Square,’ which according to him is more of the brand connection, linking its BTL (below the line) activities. “From ATL (above the line) activities to BTL, we are connecting the customers and giving the experience of sporty and stylish vehicles, which is our core DNA, to the product.” The additional dealerships planned for this year will be primarily for ‘Blue Square’ outlets, he said. 

Many of the existing dealerships will also be upgraded to deal with its new introductions of 155cc motorcycle MT-15 and the 125cc scooters, the Ray ZR 125 FI and Street Rally 125 FI, and the iconic Fascino 125 FI. Shifting from the 110cc segment, IYM is strengthening its market in the 125cc scooter segment and the motorcycle line-up.

MT-15

Known for its balance of torque and agility, MT-15 has enhanced control postures and single-channel ABS. A special colour ‘Ice Fluo-Vermillion’ was also introduced. It received rave reviews in many countries for its distinctively aggressive appearance. The new BS-VI compliant MT-15 has a rear radial tyre. Its advanced design expressing torque and agility is popularised further by a minimal look, dynamic headlight, short tail and an overall finish that illustrates its unique style.

The new bike comes with VVA engine for nimble acceleration with model-specific ECU,  optimized secondary reduction gear ratio for snappy riding in town, A&S clutch for stress-free gear shifts, motard-like riding position with a great deal of freedom on a tight, concentrated silhouette, 282mm front disc brake with single-channel ABS for excellent stopping power. The advanced design expressing torque and agility is further accentuated by dynamic front face styling headlight, short tail with a vertical tail light and overall graphics and finish.

Ray ZR 125 FI, Street Rally 125 FI

The new scooters come with several new features, new engine technologies and are available in a range of new colours. The new Ray ZR 125 FI and Street Rally 125 FI are powered by a BS-VI compliant, air cooled, fuel injected, 125cc blue core engine that produces a power output of 8.2 PS @ 6,500 RPM and a torque of 9.7 Nm @ 5,000 RPM. The power output and economy are 30 percent and 16 percent higher respectively than the earlier scooters.

The styling concept is ‘Armored Energy’ which evokes the feeling of a powerful motorcycle laced to proportions, details, striking design and new technologies. The sporty, sharp-looking headlight is Class C-compliant while the Y-shaped LED position light adds greater originality to the design. The turn signals at the front and rear use individual mounting stalks like those used for motorcycles. The Ray ZR 125 FI is available in both drum and disc brake versions, and the disc brake version gets digital instrument cluster as a new feature. The new Ray ZR 125 FI is available in a wide range of colour variants including Dark Matte Blue, Metallic Black, Cyan Blue, Matte Red Metallic and Reddish Yellow Cocktail.

The new Street Rally 125 FI also fuses motorcycle elements with those of a scooter and scatters them throughout the design. Brush guards shield the rider's hands from oncoming airflow and add a sporty, adventure-influenced touch to the machine. It additionally offers fully digital instrument cluster, side panels designed to look like a rugged frame, block-pattern tyre, sporty coloured wheel stripes (front and rear) and side panels intended to look like metallic protectors. The new Street Rally 125 FI is available in two colours: Deep Purplish Blue Metallic and Sparkle Green.

Fascino 125 FI

The new Fascino 125 FI is powered by a BS-VI compliant, air cooled, fuel injected, 125cc blue core engine that produces a power output of 8.2 PS @ 6,500 RPM and a torque of 9.7 Nm @ 5,000 RPM. The power output and economy are 30 percent and 16 percent higher respectively than the earlier scooters.

Along with the new features and technologies, the visual impression of the new Fascino 125 FI rests on its classic European styling as it gets an all-new exterior design, higher quality bodywork, newly designed headlight, new gauges and other features that produce a feeling of elegance and status. The new scooter is designed to be a fashionable vehicle with styling that embodies strength, refinement and beauty along with classical touches. The vehicle is available in disc and drum brakes and a wide range of colour variants including Vivid Red, Metallic Black, Yellow Cocktail, Matte Blue, Dark Matte Blue, Suave Copper and Cyan Blue.

Lightweighting

The body weight of the new Ray ZR 125 FI, Street Rally 125 FI and Fascino 125 FI is 99 kg, which is, at the least, 4 kg lighter than Yamaha's earlier scooters. All the new scooters come with ‘stop & start system’ that prevents engine idling and subsequent start with a single throttle twist which uses the sensors to assess the riding environment. The vehicles have front disc brake with unified brake system. In addition, the smart motor-generator fitted to these vehicles uses electronic controls to bring a quieter engine start without the need for a separate conventional electric starter. One of the key features is the ‘side stand engine cut-off switch,’ which prevents the engine from starting if the side-stand is not retracted. This is a unique feature as it can prevent accidents and ensure safety of the rider.

Talking to this publication on the objective to introduce the engine cut-off switch to the side-stand, Yasuo Ishihara, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Research & Development India Pvt Ltd, said that in Europe these safety systems are mandatory. Since it is a safety feature the company wanted to introduce it in India also. “We have decided to incorporate this feature in the two-wheelers (Ray and Fascino) that we have launched now. In a phased manner this feature will be introduced in all the models we produce.”

The company has also introduced stop-start systems and this was possible as it replaced the starter motor with a combined generator-cum-starter motor. Ishihara said that in India the traffic is dense with more stopping and starting conditions, not only at traffic lights but also on congested roads. This mild hybrid helps in managing these situations while conserving fuel. However, when there are frequent stops and starts, the power drawn will be more from the battery; therefore the company has increased the battery capacity.

Yamaha has also reduced the total kerb weight by 4 kg. This was achieved as the design team was given very stringent targets to reduce weight. There were targets set for every major part in the vehicle. This combined with high-end design helped the company achieve weight reduction despite increasing the sheet metal content. For instance, in the earlier version of the scooters, the front fender was in plastic but in the BS-VI version this has been replaced with metal. According to him, one of the reasons for weight reduction was that the vehicles have no starter motors, since the generators do that function. Despite introducing new technologies, localisation in all the models is over 90 percent, he said.

Target Customers               

The target customers for the three scooters, according to the company, are the youth (18-24 years) who are high on adventure, and who find the true reflection of their riding personality by the mobility they ride and its performance. Motofumi Shitara, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India group of companies, said, “Customers can now take the experience of all such exciting Yamaha two-wheelers at the new ‘Blue Square’ outlets of Yamaha which is conceptualized to garner the racing spirit along with its comfort, ambience and the beacon of the Yamaha Blue. The company also plans to expand its brand strategy of ‘The Call of the Blue’ including product strategies and networks in 2020. The ‘Blue Square’ which was opened recently in Chennai will expand to 100 outlets in 2020 and eventually would consolidate the 125cc scooter market share and sports market share for the brand. The ‘Call of the Blue’ will be scaled up in 2020 to offer the excitement, sporty and stylish experiences to a wider audience.”

Digital Communication

On the communication side, he said, the company is more focused on the digital platform. Despite fielding new stylish models with more safety features and power, the company has set itself a growth of just 4 percent for the current calendar over 2019. Seeking his reason for this, Singh said it is justified. “At this moment we are very conservative. We are talking to dealers and we are also taking feedback from people like you. We see a clear shift from 110cc to 125cc (in scooters) and it will increase in the coming years as people are further upgrading.” Therefore, the segment will further evolve. But it all depends on increasing affordability, which is directly linked to economic growth. The key point is that India is a country where more than 50 percent of the population is young. This is precisely the reason for the company to field products targeting the youth, he said. “Based on the features and the pricing we are going to get a good amount of market share in this segment; still we are taking cautious steps,” he explained.

The company will focus on three areas to connect with its customers easily - Premium, Deluxe and Scooters. Otherwise, connecting with customers from the commuting point of view would be difficult for Yamaha. This is the reason for the company to upgrade its scooters to 125cc, Shitara said.

Currently, IYM has 593 dealers across India with about 2,000 touch points. The company has allotted INR 1,500 crore for building capacity and capabilities, to be spent over four years from 2018. It had to invest INR 16 crore to develop BS-VI engines. Though modifications to the engine were minimal, the additions were in the form of double catalytic converters for exhaust, O2 sensors and advanced OBD modules. Investments have also gone into precision machining of parts for BS-VI related elements, and the development of new parts.  (MT)

British classic motorcycling brand Triumph Motorcycles recently hosted its first-ever ‘Legends Ride’ in Delhi NCR, bringing together over 50 passionate Triumph motorcycle riders across category – from modern classics to street tourers and long-distance adventure bikes.

The riders rode through Delhi to the Heritage Transport Museum in Taoru, Haryana, celebrating the spirit of motorcycling and riding community.

The company claims that Delhi has become the second biggest market for its customers.

Manik Nangia, President - ProBiking - Bajaj Auto, said, “The overwhelming response to the ‘Legends Ride’ reinforces Triumph’s growing legacy in Delhi. Triumph riders set a benchmark for passionate and responsible riding, and we are excited to create more such experiences that bring motorcyclists together.”

Triumph Motorcycles has introduced four new colour options – Caspian Blue / Pearl Metallic White, Lava Red Gloss / Pearl Metallic White, Phantom Black / Pearl Metallic White and Phantom Black / Storm Grey – for the Speed T4 with prices starting at INR 199,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Speed T4 now features a brushed steel finished exhaust, 3D 'Speed T4' emblem on the side panel, an updated frame colour and a new tyre sticker design.

It continues to be powered by the 400cc engine which delivers 31 PS @ 7,000 rpm and 36 Nm @ 5,000 rpm, low-end torque between 3,500-5,500 rpm.

Other key features include manual throttle body control, slipper clutch, 43mm telescopic fork, dual channel ABS and a console with USB port.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), a leading two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the updated OBD2B-compliant Hornet 2.0 at INR 156,953 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Hornet 2.0 comes with a 4.2-inch TFT  display with Bluetooth connectivity using the Honda RoadSync app. It also gets a new USB C-type charging port, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and Dual Channel ABS for safety.

The motorcycle is powered by 184.40cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine, delivering 12.50 kW of power at 8500 RPM and 15.7 Nm of peak torque at 6000 RPM. Mated with a 5-speed gearbox, the Hornet 2.0 also gets an Assist & Slipper Clutch for smooth gear shifts.

Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The Hornet 2.0 has been a game-changer in the segment ever since it was first introduced in August 2020. Over the years, we have continuously updated the motorcycle and even introduced special MotoGP edition models, each receiving an overwhelming response from our customers. With the new OBD2B-compliant Hornet 2.0, we aim to take this legacy forward by offering an even more refined riding experience, coupled with cutting-edge technology and superior safety features.”

Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are thrilled to introduce the latest iteration of the Hornet 2.0, which comes with exciting new features and enhancements. The motorcycle now boasts aggressive new graphics, an advanced digital TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, and safety features like Honda Selectable Torque Control and Dual-Channel ABS. Designed for performance enthusiasts to challenge the streets, the Hornet 2.0 is all-set to redefine the streetfighter experience.”

In terms of styling, the Honda Hornet 2.0 gets new graphics on its body panels, an all-LED lighting set-up and four colour options – Pearl Igneous Black, Radiant Red Metallic, Athletic Blue Metallic and Mat Axis Gray Metallic.

Italian two-wheeler brand Aprilia has launched the Tuono 457 naked motorcycle in India at price starting INR 395,000. The Tuono 457 builds on the RS 457’s success, which the company said offers a naked bike experience designed for daily riding and leisure.

The motorcycle incorporates compact surfaces and a recognisable LED front light cluster with a triple headlight setup. The tank is shaped for ergonomics and sportiness, complementing the wide handlebar for a dynamic ride.

Powered by a 457cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine, the Tuono 457 delivers 35 kW (47.6 hp) at 9,400 rpm and 43.5 Nm torque at 6,700 rpm, with 82 percent torque available at 3,000 rpm.

The Tuono 457 features an aluminium frame, which the company said is developed using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) for the best rigidity-to-weight balance. The 41 mm fork offers 120 mm travel with preload adjustment, while the rear shock absorber has 130 mm travel and supports an asymmetrical steel swingarm. The braking system includes ByBre calipers with 320 mm front and 220 mm rear discs, supported by a Bosch two-channel ABS system.

The motorcycle offers three riding modes – eco, sport and rain – adjusting power delivery and traction control levels. The Aprilia Traction Control (ATC) can be adjusted on the go and ABS can be disengaged from the rear wheel for track use. The bike is equipped with a 5-inch TFT colour display, backlit handlebar controls and Bluetooth connectivity via the Aprilia India app for infotainment and navigation.

The Tuono 457 can be had in two graphics options: Piranha Red and Puma Gray.

Diego Graffi, Chairman and MD, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “I am thrilled to introduce to India the Aprilia Tuono 457, a year after we introduced the segment disruptor Aprilia RS457. There were a lot of enquiries for naked sibling to the RS and Tuono 457 is the latest heir to a tradition of excellence in high-handlebar sports bikes offering a superb, adrenaline-filled ride. The Tuono 457 has a number of differences that render it all the more exclusive: it is the only bike in the range that does not have a fairing integrated into the frame. In its place - for the first time on a Tuono - is a pared-back light cluster, worthy of a true naked bike. It’s the most non-conformist and rebellious Tuono that has ever been, and whilst it retains the core features of all Tuono bikes, the new model boasts an all-new look, designed to satisfy the needs and desires of the youngest generation at which it is aimed.”

Actor and Brand Ambassador John Abraham added, “Like many other bikers, I was also hoping for a Tuono 457 to be introduced to India. The Aprilia Tuono has a legendary portfolio and I am sure the new Tuono 457 will completely dominate the naked segment. The bike is agile, powerful and looks distinct and incredible, all things that one expects from Aprilia. I think this will be the perfect city and urban riding bike and I cant wait to get this bike home.”