Earlier this month, we reported that Triumph is set to launch its downsized 350cc range in April. Now, the brand has scheduled an event on April 6-7, hinting at the imminent launch of this new range, which will benefit from the lower 18 percent tax slab.
1. Triumph’s sub-350cc range to benefit from the lower 18 percent tax rate
2. Downsized engine to be based on the existing 400cc platform
3. KTM 390 range, Dominar 400 and NS400Z likely to follow downsizing strategy
Triumph sub-350cc range: What to expect
Downsized models to be launched on April 6-7
It is no secret that Triumph, in partnership with Bajaj, is working on sub-350cc models for India to benefit from the lower 18 percent tax on such bikes. After the GST 2.0 rollout in September 2025, the tax on its bikes had increased to 40 percent owing to their engine size. Triumph’s small-capacity range would attract a lower tax rate, which should allow Bajaj to price it more competitively, helping Triumph compete more effectively against rivals such as Royal Enfield, which enjoys an advantage with its core line-up positioned within the 350cc bracket.
The upcoming sub-350cc motor is not expected to be an all-new unit but rather a scaled-down iteration of Triumph’s existing 400cc platform. While exact specifications remain undisclosed, it is likely to achieve the lower displacement through a reduced bore, bringing it just under the 350cc mark. This reworked setup could result in a drop in peak power by around 3-5hp compared to the current engine. For reference, Triumph’s 399cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine produces 40hp and 37.5Nm in most applications, with the Thruxton extracting a slightly higher 42hp.
With Bajaj handling Triumph’s downsizing first, we expect the KTM 390 range, along with Bajaj’s own Dominar 400 and NS400Z, to follow suit. However, a clear timeline for these models is not yet known.