Auto Expo 2023 is just around the corner and this year’s event will see a number of electric two-wheeler manufacturers, both from India and overseas, participate. As for the two-wheelers from the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) camp, we will only see bikes from the Adishwar Auto Rides India (AARI) umbrella, which includes Benelli, Keeway, QJ Motors, Moto Morini and Zontes.
Tork Motors
Next generation e-bike
Tork Motors has announced that it will showcase its “next-generation e-motorcycle at the 2023 Auto Expo.'' Details about the new e-bike are sketchy at the moment; the said bike could likely be built on a completely new platform, or is a more premium version of the Kratos R. It is likely that the new-generation Tork bike may also feature a more modern instrument cluster, more power, better battery range and faster charging capabilities.
Updated Kratos R
Tork Motors will showcase the updated Kratos R electric motorcycle sporting “new and improved aesthetics”, the company said, suggesting that the bike may receive a few cosmetic tweaks. In addition, the Kratos R may get new features.
Matter Energy
Matter Energy recently unveiled its highly awaited motorcycle and it is expected to announce the name and the price of the bike at Auto Expo 2023. The Matter e-bike boasts of a number of firsts that include a 4-speed gearbox and ABS. The bike has a 5.0 kWh liquid-cooled battery that offers a claimed range of 125-150km. The motor is rated for 10.5kW.
Besides launching its first electric motorcycle, Matter Energy will also showcase a few concepts that will offer a glimpse into the company’s future EVs. Expect them to feature liquid-cooled battery packs, touchscreen instrument panels and futuristic features.
Ultraviolette Automotive
Ultraviolette will showcase its newly launched F77 electric motorcycle at the event. Available in two variants – Original and Recon – these bikes have an IDC range of 207-307km, respectively. The Original is rated for a peak of 27kW and 85Nm of torque, while the Recon is claimed to make a peak of 29kW and 95Nm of torque. The Ultraviolette F77 is currently the most expensive electric motorcycle in the market. Prices start at Rs 3.80 lakh for the Original and go up to Rs 4.55 lakh for the Recon.
Greaves Electric Mobility
Greaves Electric will showcase a new line of Ampere electric vehicles at the event. The Arctic Tern, a migratory bird, is said to have been an inspiration for the new EVs’ aerodynamic and functional design. The EVs will also have a completely new navigation system with a user interface that is easy to operate.
Ampere is also expected to unveil a new low-speed electric two-wheeler that is designed to take on the ‘gullys’ of India. This suggests that the EV is designed to offer quick and efficient mobility through tight spaces, with its lightweight and manoeuverability helping matters.
LML Emotion
The LML brand announced a comeback in an all-electric avatar and the company will display the Star maxi-scooter and Moonshot electric motorcycle at the Expo. The LML Moonshot is a pedal-assisted e-bike with supermoto-like styling, with a flat bench-style seat and a beaky front fender. The portable battery is housed at the front of the belly section, and the motor seems to be integrated at the rear wheel hub. The e-bike gets two power modes (Surge and City) with a top speed of 70kph.
The LML Star electric maxi-scooter features a mid-mounted motor that sends power to the rear wheel via a belt drive system. The chassis is suspended by a telescopic fork and monoshock.
Benelli
Benelli will showcase the Leoncino 800, which recently received an updated chassis and suspension. Its 754cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, twin-cylinder engine produces 76.2hp at 8,500rpm and 67Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The power is transferred to the rear wheel via a 6-speed gearbox, assisted by a slipper clutch. It is likely that Benelli is only showcasing the bike to gauge customer response.
In addition to the Leoncino 800, Benelli will also showcase the 752 S street naked motorcycle. It is powered by a 754cc parallel-twin engine that makes 77hp and 67Nm. It goes up against the likes of the Kawasaki Z650.
Besides these bikes, Benelli will also showcase its existing range of motorcycles, including the 502C and TRK range.
Keeway
Keeway SR 250
Keeway will showcase the SR 250, the 250cc version of the SR 125 retro scrambler that was launched recently in India. The Keeway SR 250 is expected to feature similar styling to the SR 125, albeit with different wheels, tyres and suspension. It is also expected to be better equipped than the bare-bones SR 125.
Keeway-Benda LFC 700
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The LFC 700 will be the flagship cruiser at the brand’s stall at the Auto Expo and is sure to garner a lot of eyeballs, owing to its striking design. The low-slung cruiser has quite a menacing stance, with a beefy fuel tank and sleek tail-section.The fat, 310-section rear tyre, not to mention, is another attention grabber. Speaking of, the bike is powered by a 680cc, four-cylinder engine in two versions, 84.5hp and 92.5hp. The bike with the latter engine tune also gets better specs in the form of a slipper clutch and Brembo brakes.
Keeway-Benda BD500 cruiser
The big talking point of this bike is the fact that it is powered by a 496cc V4 mill that produces 56.3hp at 10,000rpm and 45Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. The engine features cylinder deactivation tech that shuts off the rear cylinder bank at idle (another feature found on the Ducati Diavel V4), which should help in heat management as well as slightly bump up fuel economy. The styling is quite interesting as well, with the slash cut fenders and the big exhaust grabbing attention.
Zontes
Zontes already has five bikes on sale in India and it plans to target buyers in the lower segment by unveiling four bikes in the 200cc class. In addition, they will also showcase maxi-scooters in the 350cc range.
Moto Bologna Passione (MBP)
Italian brand Moto Bologna Passione, now under Chinese ownership, will be launched at the Auto Expo and will have two bikes on display.
M502N
The M502N is powered by a liquid-cooled, 486cc, parallel-twin engine that develops 51hp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm at 6,750rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed unit gearbox. Suspension duties are taken care of by a preload-adjustable fork and monoshock by KYB.
The street naked will go up against the likes of the Moto Morini Seiemmezzo 6 ½.
C1002V cruiser
The C1002V is a big, beefy cruiser that was unveiled globally at the 2022 EICMA in India. The bike is powered by a 997cc, V-twin engine that makes 94hp and 102Nm. While these figures are decent, the bike also boasts of features such as TFT display and Bluetooth connectivity. But what should also make it desirable to some people is its old-school Harley-Davidson motorcycle inspired styling. There is, however, no word on MBP launching this bike in India.
QJ Motor
QJ Motors recently forayed into the Indian market and launched the SRC 250 and SRC 500 retros, the SRK 400 streetfighter and the SRV 300 cruiser. These bikes will be on display at the event and along with that, the company will also showcase three 125cc bikes. In addition, there’ll be a faired version of the SRK 400 on display as well.
