The first fruits of the collaboration between Triumph and Bajaj, with a displacement of 200 cc, should have been marketed in 2022, but the Covid crisis passed by and development was delayed. These motorcycles will see the light of day 1 year late.
It was early last year that Bajaj Auto and Triumph Motorcycles had formally announced their partnership, to develop medium-displacement motorcycles (ranging from 200 to 750 cc). This joint venture is similar to Bajaj's existing venture with KTM, in that the motorcycles will be developed in India and their manufacturing will also be handled by Bajaj, at the Indian factory in Chakan.
The first model from this Joint Venture was to be launched in 2022, but due to the Covid-19 crisis, it seems that this motorcycle will be launched a year later. In a recent interview with ET Auto, Rajiv Bajaj, the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, revealed that the motorcycle in question is more likely to go into production in 2023, due to delays in its development. He also mentioned that Bajaj Auto is currently busy developing many motorcycles for KTM. The next 490 Duke, which will be powered by a new twin-cylinder engine, is also in preparation, as well as a new Husqvarna model derived from this same engine.
Earlier reports had stated that the new motorcycles developed under the Triumph-Bajaj partnership will only be released under the Triumph brand. Bajaj also said that apart from handling the manufacturing aspect of Triumph for the Indian market, it will also be responsible for exports to certain markets. The main target is obviously emerging markets, first of all Asia itself but also South America and Africa.
No details about the upcoming Bajaj-Triumph motorcycle have been revealed yet, but rumors suggest that it will be a 200 cc model, which will use similar underpinnings to the KTM Duke. It is expected to have a neo-retro style, like the Triumph Bonneville. The price is expected to be less than €2500, which will make it extremely competitive in the Indian market. A perfect model to compete with Royal Enfield, Jawa and other Hondas…
