Two years ago, BMW-TVS had announced a jointly developed sub-500cc motorcycle for emerging markets. We get a taste of things to come in the BMW Concept Stunt G 310
If the R3 is beyond your budget, there’s the ever-so-popular KTM 390 – a raw machine that offers outright performance. Even our homegrown Mahindra 2Wheelers would soon be launching its Mojo 300, which seems like a decent product unless Mahindra misses the bus with pricing. Wait there’s more. Bajaj too will be launching the Pulsar CS400 sometime soon and now this, BMW-TVS’ love child in German trim – the Concept Stunt G 310.
In stunt guise, the Concept G 310 has minimal bodywork, and under the mishmash of flashy paintjob, there’s a production ready single-cylinder motor. Thanks to the name: G 310, its safe to assume that it’s a 310cc motor spinning the rear wheel.
What makes this engine unique is the rear-inclined cylinder. Thanks to this setup, the exhaust pipe is placed right behind the engine which, according to BMW, is a superior setup and makes the motorcycle compact and agile. In production guise, do expect a conventionally placed exhaust, as the one seen here is better suited for stunt riding.
BMW has not mentioned power ratings but we do expect more details to emerge at the EICMA later this year. But here’s what we know. TVS will manufacture the bikes (both versions of the motorcycle) at its base in Hosur, and ours will be one of the first places where the bike will be launched.
The BMW Concept Stunt G 310’s production variant will be targeted at the premium buyers, so expect a price tag of Rs 2.5 lakh, ex-showroom. For those looking at a cheaper version of this sub-300cc motorcycle, they can look at the one with a TVS badge on the tank.
The TVS’ version will most-likely be christened the Apache. It will have a commuter-friendly approach with raised clip-on handlebars, telescopic front suspension and cushier seating. For now, lets call it the TVS Apache 300 that will be priced aggressively around Rs 1.8 lakh, ex-showroom.
With BMW-TVS joining the entry-level premium motorcycle scene, we think the quarter-litre segment is coming of age in India. And it’s not over yet; Suzuki might be preparing a 300cc motorcycle to take on the competition as well. Watch this space.
[“source-topgear”]