With several new motorcycles unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo there were some bike which didn’t have lights or mirrors. You guessed right, these bikes were the race machines which manufacturers had on display for visitors which are the source of new technological advancements which will eventually trickle down to the road bikes we ride. We list down six such racebikes that were exhibited at the event

Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike:

The cynosure of all eyes at the Yamaha pavilion was the YZR-M1 MotoGP racebike which is ridden by none other than multiple times world champion and MotoGP heartthrob Valentino Rossi. The Italian champion has claimed four MotoGP wins with this bike. The bike had lots of people surrounding it as they tried to get an eyeful of its mechanicals. The bike is powered by a 1000cc, liquid-cooled, four cylinder inline engine which generates 243.3PS of power. All other details of the bike were kept secret.

Honda RC213V MotoGP bike:

Honda had Marc Marquez’s ultimate racing bike taking centre stage at the event. The RC213V MotoGP was in India for the first time and had lots a spectators appreciating the hardships that is involved in building such machines. Honda was also allowing fanatics to get on the saddle of the race bike and experience the thrill, albeit while stationary. Mechanically, the Honda RC213V MotoGP bike is powered by a 1000cc liquid-cooled engine with the pistons stacked in a V4 arrangement.

Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP bike:

Unveiled at EICMA in Milan last year, Suzuki had the GSX-RR MotoGP bike on display at the pavilion. The bike will be headed by Ecstar Suzuki team in the MotoGP Championship. The new generation MotoGP bike from the Suzuki factory sports a fresh twin-spar aluminium chassis along with new engine specifications. The bike features a 1.0-litre water-cooled, inline four cylinder DOHC engine which is capable of producing 230PS of power. Top speed that can be achieved by the bike is above 330kmph.

Suzuki Gixxer Cup bike:

Suzuki Motorcycle India showcased the track version of the Gixxer SF which is powered by the same 160cc air-cooled engine that produces 15PS of power and 14Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Even though Suzuki unveiled the Fi version of the Gixxer SF for the public at the expo, the track bike will continue to use a carburettor. Differentiating the race spec Gixxer SF from the normal version, the track version receives racing-type clip-on handlebars, aluminium rear-set foot pegs, aerodynamic rear seat cowl, a megaphone-type race spec exhaust, sticky soft compound tyres, and a high-flow performance air filter.

Mahindra MGP30 bike: 

Unveiled at the expo, the Mahindra MGP30 race bike will be seen competing in the 2016 Moto3 Championship. The MGP30 is a new motorcycle with a brand new engine, gearbox and aerodynamic package. Changes have also been made to the frame and electrical components. The bike now sports a dual exhaust system which has been developed by Arrow to deliver improved performance figures. Mahindra has not disclosed the specs of the bike but the 250cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine is expected to produce around 51PS of maximum power.

Aprilia RS-GP MotoGP bike: 

The godfather of the RSV4 and the Tuono, the Aprilia RS-GP MotoGP bike was on display for the bike enthusiasts. The race spec Aprilia is powered by a 1000cc liquid-cooled powerplant with a V4 cylinder arrangement that belts out 250PS of power. The high-powered bike weighs around 160kg. Aprilia hopes to build a good momentum in the 2016 season with the RS-GP.

Courtesy : Zigwheels

The event saw the Formula E M2Electro, the MGP3O motorcycle and the rally XUV500 burn some rubber at the BIC.

A few years ago people would have laughed at the idea of a Mahindra racing day, but today the Formula E M2Electro and the Moto 3 bike, the MGP3O put on a stunning show of their capabilities and wowed the crowds with a drag race, burn outs and some hot laps.

At the event, Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group, stated clearly that racing is a serious business for Mahindra and one that they intend to leverage on to further their technical prowess. While Pawan Goenka, executive director, Mahindra & Mahindra, quipped that the company has come a long way from making vehicles with a zero to sixty of 5 minutes to under 5 seconds now.

Moving over to the machines. The M2Electro is Mahindra’s entry into the FIA Formula E Championship in which stock cars are given to teams, who can then tweak the powertrain if required. Mahindra is one of the few teams to have done so. The M2Electro features a motor, inverter, transmission and rear suspension built to Mahindra-spec by partner Campos Racing. The electric car can sprint from 0 to 100kph in under 3 seconds.

The MGP3O motorcycle is the Mahindra contender in the Moto 3 class Championship. What’s interesting is Mahindra will supply the MGP3O to a works team and three other teams for the 2016 championship, and also to the Peugeot team who will run their version of the MGP3O. The bike boasts an impressive 0-100kph time of 3.1 seconds powered by the class-defined 250cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine.

While the donuts and burn outs by the machines were a treat for the spectators, the drag race between the Formula E car and the Moto 3 bike clearly showed just how quick the electric racing cars are off the line.

Mahindra also brought in two of their rally XUV500s and a host of road XUV500s, while also giving visitors a chance to ride shotgun. The Formula E racing simulator and a 270deg video experience was also set up.

It was a fun day at the tracks and the fact that it was all about Mahindra brought about some national pride. The highlight of the event for us, however, was an exclusive hot lap in a Reva E20 with Nick Heidfeld behind the wheel.

Courtesy : Autocar

Meet the new flagship of the BMW luxury line-up, the 7 Series M760Li xDrive with a massive 6.6-litre V12 churning out 600 horses

BMW fans over the globe have been crying themselves hoarse for some time now for a purebred M7, a blue-blooded M variant to BMW’s flagship 7 Series. BMW have never given them one, but now they can have this instead, the new BMW M760Li xDrive. While not exactly a full-fledged M car, but more of an M Performance variant much like the M235i and X4 M40i, it’s the closest thing we’re going to get to a proper M7 for now. It is a fair deal though, because this new car packs enough ammo to even rival proper sportscars on most parameters.

Let’s get the numbers out of the way first. Powering this behemoth is a massive 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 putting out 600PS at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 800Nm at 1,500rpm, mated to a faster, M-tuned 8-speed automatic and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system modified to have a rear bias. This prodigious power is good enough to propel the M760Li xDrive V12 to 100kmph in 3.9sec - 0.8sec faster than the current range-topping 750i M Sport - before reaching a limited top speed of 250kmph.

For comparison, a Porsche 911 takes 4.6 seconds to complete the same sprint, although has a higher top speed at 295kmph. That said, the M760Li xDrive isn’t actually the fastest and most powerful 7-Series you can buy from a BMW dealership abroad, as that title goes to the Alpina B7 xDrive introduced earlier this week and which has a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 delivering 608PS and 800Nm for a 0-100kmph time of 3.7 seconds.

All M760Li xDrive feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, and there’s even a launch control function to optimise acceleration away from the line. Suspension is the same ‘Executive Drive Pro’ suite as on the standard 7-series, uprated for the M-Performance variant. So you get air springs with Dynamic Damper Control and Dynamic Drive to reduce roll and increase comfort, or tighten things up when you need to fling yourself down a backlane. It also features cameras that actively scan the road ahead and precondition the suspension settings.

Visually, the M760Li xDrive can be distinguished from its more sedate 7 Series siblings by its 20″ wheels M light-alloy wheels in matte Cerium Grey metallic. That same Cerium Grey finish extends onto the kidney grille frame and the fronts of the grille bars, along with the front apron strip, the strips on the exterior door handles, Air Breathers, side door trim elements and boot lid handle, all add color accents.

Inside, we get Fineline black fine wood interior trim strips with high-gloss metal effect team up with high-quality deep-pile floor mats in the rear compartment and an Alcantara Anthracite headliner to generate a luxurious ambiance. Exclusive Nappa leather trim covers the seat surfaces, seat side sections, head restraints, door cards, center armrests and side armrests to round off the elegant atmosphere in tasteful style. The steering wheel has been redesigned too, resembling a sporting evolution of the 7 Series’ wheel. All of the same interior technologies on the standard 7er are present, including Gesture Control and inductive charging for mobile phones.

For customers looking to downplay the aggressive performance for something classier, the V12 Excellence option is also available as a no cost option. The package replaces the wheels with 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in W-spoke 646 design with mixed-size tyres.

When launched, the BMW M760Li xDrive will internationally go up against the likes of the Audi S8 and the more expensive Mercedes-AMG S65. No word yet on when it will land in India, though. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Royal Enfield will launch the Himalayan in March with deliveries commencing immediately after the launch

Easily among the most awaited bikes of 2016, the Royal Enfield Himalayan finally broke cover prior to the 2016 Auto Expo. Although the Chennai-based bike maker didn’t participate in the Auto Expo, it set the right mood for the big event. Reason? The Himalayan is India’s first fully homegrown adventure motorcycle. 

To some the minimalistic design of the Royal Enfield Himalayan might look odd, but it is one of those motorcycles that grows on you over time. The split, seat, the brushed aluminium finish exhaust, the spoke wheels as well as the raised front mud guard, all ensure that it has the looks to compliment its adventure DNA. 

The Himalayan comes with an all-new 411cc single-cylinder air-cooled unit that makes 24.5PS of power and 32Nm of torque. As opposed to the other Royal Enfield motorcycles’ push road architecture, the Himalayan sports overhead cams. Moreover, to keep vibrations in check, RE has also fitted the engine with a counter balancer. This engine comes mated to a 5-speed transmission.  

The Himalayan gets a semi-digital instrumentation with an analogue speedo and tacho and a digital trio meter. Interestingly the Royal Enfield has also fitted the cluster with an altimeter knowing that a lot of its buyers will ride to the Himalayas and other hilly areas. 

Up front the Himalayan comes with telescopic suspension while at the back it gets a monoshock setup. This is the first RE motorcycle to come fitted with a monoshock rear suspension. Royal Enfield will bring in the Himalayan next month at around Rs 1.80 lakh. 

Courtesy :  Zigwheels

It's good news for all petrol heads. Volkswagen has made a bold move an announced that they will launch the Polo GTI in India later this year.

1.) Engine:

Over the past few months, Indian automotive enthusiasts have got something to cheer about with the launch of the Fiat Punto Abarth and the Avventura Abarth. Volkswagen is about to bring more in that direction with the launch of the Polo GTI later this year. Powered by a 1.8-litre TSI petrol unit that makes the 180PS and 250Nm, the Polo GTI will be one of the most powerful hatchbacks in India. If these figures don’t give you an adequate perspective, picture this – it is the same petrol engine that works force on the likes of the Audi A4 and the Skoda Octavia hiding under the hood of this compact hatch. The Polo GTI employs a 7-speed DSG transmission.  

2.) Design: One of the biggest let down of the Polo GTI is its design. Apart from the 3-door design, it looks extremely identical to the regular Polo. Some vinyl stickers that flaunt the GTI badge, side skirts, and better looking bumpers would have been much appreciated. The 17-inch alloy wheels too could have sported a better design. 

3.) Unique Interiors: While much of the interiors of the regular Polo and the GT are identical, the same is not the case with the GTI. The car gets smart looking red accents on the steering wheel and the floor mats. The chequered fabric design also gives the Polo GTI a distinctive feel.  The Polo GTI also features a new touchscreen infotainment system. 

4.) For the enthusiast: With the Polo GTI, Volkswagen intends to fill the gap between the Punto Abarth and the Mini Coopers. In fact, the Polo GTI will be one of the first entry-level hot hatches in its true essence to be launched in the Indian market. The Polo GTI is the only 3-door offering to be sold in India apart from the Mini Coopers. With the Polo GTI, Volkswagen is not looking at the playing the numbers game completely aware of the fact that it is being targeted to a very niche market. 

5.) Price: Considering the fact that it will come to India via the CBU route, the Volkswagen Polo GTI will carry a heavy sticker price. Expect it to be in the range of Rs 20 lakh. However, if Volkswagen manages to produce the engine from the factory in Chakan and increase localistaion, the Polo GTI might just be launched at an extremely competitive price. 

Courtesy : Zigwheels