The Street Triple 765 is a highly impressive motorcycle, one that recently won our comparison review with the Kawasaki Z900. It also performed incredibly well at the 2017 Autocar Track Day, setting a lap time just 4s off a new-age litre-class sportbike. However, all of this is has been achieved by the entry spec Street Triple S model. Internationally, Triumph sells the Street Triple in three trims, but only the Street Triple S is currently available in India. That's about to change soon with the introduction of the range topping Street Triple 765 RS. 

The Street Triple 765 RS not only comes with significantly more kit than the base S model but it also gets a higher state of engine tune. Where the S produces a  healthy 113hp and 73Nm, the RS makes 123hp and 77Nm. Complementing the extra power is a set of range topping Brembo M50 brakes, commonly seen on high-spec, litre-class superbikes. Suspension sees a big upgrade as well, with Showa’s Big Piston forks up front and an Ohlins rear shock. Triumph is clear that the Street Triple 765 RS is as serious about track riding as road performance and proves it through the use of super-sticky, Pirelli Supercorsa tyres which are also usually reserved for the most high performance motorcycles.

Visually, the 765 RS gets a quite a few differentiators that go beyond the lovely frozen matt colour scheme. The first of these is a rear seat cowl, but the bigger upgrade comes in the rich, full colour LCD instrument screen facing the rider. The bike also offers five riding modes and multiple viewing modes for the digital display.

When we first rode the Street Triple 765 RS in Spain earlier this year (LINK) Triumph suggested that all three models would eventually make it to India. However, it now appears that Triumph will only bring in the RS as it currently doesn't see the space for the mid-spec R model. Considering all the top shelf components on offer, expect the Street Triple 765 RS to cost significantly more than the S, which retails at Rs 8.7 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai. An ex-showroom price at around the Rs 10.5-11 lakh mark is fair to expect. 

The Audi A5 Cabriolet and A5 Sportback are powered by a 190hp, 2.0-litre diesel while the S5 Sportback gets a 354hp, 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol, V6.

Audi has expanded its India line-up with the launch of the new A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet and S5 Sportback at Rs 54.02 lakh, Rs 67.51 lakh and Rs 70.60 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The previous-gen S5 Sportback was sold in India, as was the range-topping RS5 Coupe. This is the first time that Audi has brought the drop-top version of the A5 to the market.

The A5 Sportback and Cabriolet are both powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel mill that produces 190hp and 400Nm of peak torque. Both body styles also get the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, thought the Sportback only comes with front-wheel-drive while the Cabriolet gets Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Unlike the previous-gen S5 sold in India that came with a supercharged engine, the new range-topping S5 Sportback gets a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol, V6 motor putting out 354hp and 500Nm of twisting force, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels.

The 2.0-litre diesel and the 3.0-litre petrol motors, both get an engine start-stop system as standard.

A fair amount of the A5’s interiors are shared with the A4 sedan, though the new model gets a new sporty three spoke steering wheel, black wood-trim in the cabin (faux aluminium in the S5), the MMI Touch infotainment system and the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. A 755W Bang and Olufsen sound system and Audi’s smartphone integration suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional extras along with a sunroof for the Sportback version.

The A5 Cabriolet rivals the Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet, while the A5 Sportback will be a more stylish take on the A4, without any direct rivals at this price point.

The S5 Sportback will face competition from Volvo’s S60 Polestar and Mercedes-AMG’s C 43 Coupe.

Courtesy : Autocar

From November 1, 2017, Triumph enthusiasts from around the world have the opportunity to tour a factory visitor centre located at the company’s headquarters in Leicestershire, UK. The centre will allow visitors to see a collection of rare and distinctive exhibits “centred around the design, engineering and manufacture of Triumph’s most iconic models” as the company puts it, all at no cost. And visitors can even book a 90-minute tour of the factory to see how these motorcycles are put together for a fee of 15 GBP.

Some of the exhibits on display at the visitor centre will include famous movie bikes such as the painstakingly restored Bonneville used by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape, as well as Tom Cruise’s Speed Triple from the heart-pounding chase sequence in Mission Impossible 2. Apart from this, also open to visitors is the very first Triumph No1 built in 1902 as well as the prototype of the race engine the company has built to power the 2019 Moto2 World Championship.

Apart from these, the display pieces include some rather unique models such as the 1919 Triumph ‘Trusty’ Model H from World War 1, the 1959 Bonneville that took the world by storm, along with legendary motorcycles such as the Hurricane X75, T595 Trident and original '94 Speed Triple. Race bikes on display include the original 1920s TT racer, alongside legends from the American and British competitions of the 1950s and '60s, as well as Gary Johnson’s 2014 Isle of Man Supersports TT winning Triumph Daytona 675.

Speaking at the launch, Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer at Triumph, commented, “We are very proud and excited to be able to invite Triumph and motorcycling fans from around the world to come and experience our brand first-hand, here at the factory where every Triumph starts its life. With so many important and rare bikes on display, the Visitor Experience will be a must for motorcycle and movie fans alike, but also an opportunity to help us celebrate our proud heritage and our passion for building great motorcycles. We hope this will reward and inspire every fan of the brand, and ignite a love for Triumph in a whole new generation.’’

When done checking out all the exhibits, visitors can relax at the Triumph 1902 café or even purchase some branded merchandise, clothing and some limited-edition Visitor Experience souvenirs.

A meaner, blacked-out look and more advanced mechanicals make the Bobber Black the more premium sibling to the standard Bobber.

Triumph has taken the wraps off a new blacked-out version of its highly popular Bonneville Bobber named the Bonneville Bobber Black. The British bike maker has taken it a step ahead with simple visual updates and some significant mechanical changes as well. But first, let's take a look at the list of changes that give this bike its name.

Visual updates

The Bobber Black builds on the lines of the standard Bobber and retains all the features that made the original such a handsome motorcycle. That means it continues with the lovely hard-tail look where the rear monoshock is cleverly hidden beneath the cantilevered single seat. All other clever touches like the retro-themed battery box, rear drum-style wheel hub, flat bars, wire-spoked wheels and steel mudguards are carried forward.

Triumph took the Bobber base and applied copious amounts of black to give the bike a meaner, more sinister look. A large number of parts have been blacked out and we’ve got the full list below:

•           Black-painted exhaust (silencers, headers and upper finned casting)
•           Black-anodised brake pedal and footrests 
•           Black-anodised gear lever
•           Black-plated gear linkage
•           Black-anodised brake and clutch levers
•           Black-painted handlebars, with black anodised risers and clamps
•           Black-painted seat pan
•           Black powder-coated engine covers, cam cover and sprocket cover
•           Black chrome-plated headlight rim
•           Black-painted wheel hubs

However, the visual changes go beyond the black treatment and many of these updates are to the mechanical bits. So, here's what's new: 

Mechanical changes

The Bonneville Bobber Black receives a huge overhaul of the front end, starting with the new 16-inch rim and a fat 130-section tyre. This is a big change from the 19-inch rim and 100-section tyre on the standard Bobber, and along with the newly developed Avon Cobra rubber, the new Bobber gets a more slammed stance. Braking gets a boost too, as Triumph has added a second disc brake to the front end. Both discs span 310mm and are slowed by new 2-piston Brembo calipers. Finally, the forks have been updated from the 41mm KYBs to chunky 47mm units by Showa. Crowning it all is a powerful new, full-LED headlamp which was previously offered as an optional accessory on the Bobber.

Ride-by-wire throttle continues, but the Bobber Black now gets Cruise Control as standard fitment. As before, the bike offers ABS and switchable traction control as well as two riding modes – Road and Rain. The Bobber Black continues with the same tune for the 1,200cc parallel-twin engine, producing 77hp at 6,100rpm and an impressive 106Nm at 4,000rpm. Twin slash-cut exhausts belt out a carefully tuned exhaust note that is deep, powerful and befitting a custom-looking bike like the Bobber Black. Dry weight has gone up from 228kg on the standard Bobber to 237.5kg.

The Bobber Black is available in two shades, Jet Black and Matt Black. As before, Triumph offers a huge range of over 120 accessories, including everything from seats to controls to exhausts and multiple visual trims.

An India launch is currently under consideration and the bike could arrive in small numbers. If it does, expect the Bobber Black to cost a good deal over the standard Bonneville Bobber which is priced at Rs Rs 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). 

Limited to 20 units, the Mini John Cooper Works Pro Edition is available for booking exclusively at Amazon India.

Mini has launched a limited run JCW Pro Edition of its popular hatchback at Rs 43.9 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The Mini John Cooper Works Pro Edition is a CBU limited to 20 units of the three-door hatchback for India, and is exclusively available on Amazon India for bookings.

As the name implies, the JCW badged-model is powered by a range-topping 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine developing 192hp and 280Nm of peak torque. The JCW Tuning Kit adds another 18hp and 20Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The special edition also features launch control, an auto start/stop function, brake energy regeneration, shift point display, an electromechanical power steering and three driving modes – Green, Mid and Sport.

The special edition model is available in two exterior colours – Midnight Black and British Racing Green. It also features a red roof and red door mirrors, a matte black bonnet, rear stripes accented by a red pinstripe, LED headlamps surrounded by black trim, 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 205mm rubber, dual pipe exhausts finished in carbon- fibre and a controllable exhaust valve system.

The cabin of the JCW Pro Edition gets John Cooper Works sport seats with integrated headrests finished in Alcantara leather with a contrasting red colour, leather wrapped JCW steering wheel with paddle shifters and JCW logos on the door sill. In terms of equipment, the limited edition model comes with a heads-up display that incorporates navigation, media and smartphone connectivity via a 360W Harman Kardon audio system. The sound system features 12 speakers and an eight-channel digital amplifier.

Safety equipment on the JCW pro Edition includes dual-front airbags, brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a crash sensor, ABS, cornering brake control and a run-flat indicator.

The standard Mini Cooper S faces off against the likes of the VW GTI though the Skoda Octavia RS offers similar performance at a lower price.

Courtesy : Autocar