Mahindra two-wheelers is said to be developing a 160cc motorcycle that will see an end-2014 or early-2015 launch. In spite of being one of the newest companies to the two-wheeler market, Mahindra two-wheelers has worked and reworked its expansion plans and is finally gaining momentum in the commuter segment with its range of scooters and motorcycles.
The 160cc Mahindra motorcycle will be positioned as a premium commuter and will be pitted against the Bajaj Pulsar 150, TVS Apache RTR 160, Yamaha FZ-Series, Honda Unicorn, Hero CBZ Xtreme and the upcoming Suzuki Gixxer 150. We can expect Mahindra to carry styling cues from the Centuro as well as the Mojo on the upcoming motorcycle, considering the bike will sit in the middle of the company’s product portfolio. Expect a digital instrument console, disc brakes, monoshock suspension setup and several other innovative features to be available on the motorcycle.
However, Mahindra says, the company’s utmost priority is the 110cc scooter that will see the production line by the end of this year and the 160cc motorcycle will only come after the scooter has been launched. Mahindra has also been working on the premium performance motorcycle the Mojo 300, which was showcased at the recently concluded Auto Expo and that too could roll out by the end of this year in the market.
Mahindra surely wants to grab a piece of market share in the highly evolving commuter segment. The company retails the Centuro and Pantero commuter motorcycles powered by a 106.7cc engine, and has four automatic scooters under its portfolio which include the Duro RZ, Rodeo RZ, Flyte powered by the 124.6cc engine and the Kine scooter powered by a 71.5cc engine. If the success of the Centuro is anything to go by, the upcoming 160cc motorcycle could be a game changer for the company.
Source – Autocar India
