New Delhi:
TVS Motor Company is preparing to significantly expand its premium motorcycle and electric vehicle portfolio, with a new 450cc supersport motorcycle likely to debut soon—potentially under the name Apache RR 450. In addition, the company is working on 450cc bikes under its Norton brand and is also planning to launch a new electric scooter before the end of FY 2025-26.
450cc Platform: Shared Roots with BMW Motorrad
In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, TVS Motor MD Sudarshan Venu confirmed that the brand will leverage BMW Motorrad’s new 450cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin platform, which was recently showcased at EICMA 2024. The collaboration, which began with the 310cc platform, now extends to this new architecture and will be used by both TVS and Norton.
TVS is expected to be the first off the mark with a faired supersport model based on this twin-cylinder engine—most likely the Apache RR 450. Drawing parallels to its 310cc platform strategy, the new model could continue TVS’s strong motorsport lineage while standing apart from BMW’s upcoming F 450 GS adventure motorcycle.
The engine is expected to produce around 48PS in its stock configuration, but TVS may retune it to suit a racier, more aggressive riding character. If launched as expected, the Apache RR 450 would become only the second made-in-India faired motorcycle with a parallel-twin engine, following the Aprilia RS 457.
Norton’s Take: Neo-Retro Roadsters on the Horizon
Meanwhile, Norton—owned by TVS—will also utilize the 450cc platform, but with a different product direction. The first Norton bike using this architecture is likely to be a neo-retro roadster, with a more relaxed engine tune compared to TVS’s supersport variant. Norton’s 450cc offering is anticipated to make its debut at EICMA 2025 in November.
New Electric Scooter Launch by March 2026
On the electric front, TVS is not resting on the laurels of its iQube range. Venu revealed that the company is actively developing an all-new electric scooter, which is slated to launch before the end of the current financial year—i.e., by March 2026. While details remain under wraps, industry speculation points toward a sportier scooter, possibly designed to rival models from Ather Energy, thus broadening TVS’s EV appeal beyond just family-focused users.
EV Price Hikes Likely Due to Rare Earth Supply Issues
A major concern for the Indian EV industry is the ongoing disruption in the supply of rare earth magnets—critical components in electric motors—due to export restrictions imposed by China. Venu acknowledged the potential short-term impact across the industry, warning of possible price increases if the situation persists.
He emphasized the need for localized solutions to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth materials. Notably, companies like Ather Energy are already working on developing motors that exclude rare earth elements like neodymium. However, scaling such technology for mass production will take time, making near-term challenges inevitable for EV manufacturers.
