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    2025 Hero Splendor Plus Spied with Disc Brake – New Matte Colour

    2025 Hero Splendor PlusThe upcoming 2025 Hero Splendor Plus has been spotted ahead of its official launch, revealing a key upgrade that enhances its braking performance. The most notable addition is a front disc brake, expected to be a 240mm unit, offering improved stopping power over the existing drum brake setup. This move aligns the Splendor Plus with its XTEC Disc variant, making braking more effective for urban and highway rides.
    2025 Hero Splendor Plus New Colours
    Hero has also introduced fresh colour options for the new Splendor Plus, including Candy Red, a shade that pays homage to the early 2000s model, bringing a touch of nostalgia to long-time fans. In addition, a Matte Axis Grey option is now available, adding a premium and understated look to the lineup. These updates aim to refresh the Splendor’s visual appeal while maintaining its legendary commuter-friendly DNA.
    2025 Hero Splendor Plus
    Mechanically, the bike remains unchanged, continuing to run on the familiar 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine, delivering 8.02PS and 8.05Nm of torque. It is expected to meet the latest OBD2B compliance norms, ensuring better emissions control. The suspension setup retains a telescopic front fork and twin rear shock absorbers, offering a balanced ride quality.

    Currently, the Hero Splendor Plus is available in three trims, with pricing starting at Rs 77,176 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new disc brake-equipped variant is expected to be priced around Rs 80,000, making it the most feature-packed Splendor yet.
    Where It Stands Against Rivals
    While the Hero Splendor Plus has been an undisputed leader in its category, it faces stiff competition from models like the TVS Radeon, which starts at Rs 59,880 and offers a larger 110cc engine at a lower price point. The Bajaj Platina 100, a closer rival, is priced from Rs 68,890 and features spring-in-spring twin rear shock absorbers, enhancing comfort.
    Despite these competitive offerings, the Hero Splendor Plus continues to dominate with its legendary reliability, fuel efficiency, and strong resale value, ensuring it remains the top choice for everyday riders across India. The addition of a disc brake and new colour schemes further strengthens its position in the commuter segment. More

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    Ola Electric Stores Raided Over Trade Certificate Violations – Showrooms Shut, Vehicles Seized

    Ola Electric ScooterInvestigations revealed that out of 3,400 Ola showrooms, just over 100 stores had trade certificates on display
    India’s Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) mandates that auto showrooms should display a trade certificate. This regulation has been grossly flouted by Ola Electric leading to its stores being raided. Investigation revealed that out of the 3,400 showrooms spread across the country, only 100 such stores had trade certificates on display.
    Ola Electric Stores Raided – MVA Regulations Flouted
    Ola Electric, a Bengaluru based electric scooter maker, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Once a leader in this segment, sales have declined considerably following customer complaints with regard to service and range issues and various other factors. More recently, investigations have revealed that the company has also been flouting mandates as per Motor Vehicles Act.
    Out of 3,400 showrooms, only around 100 stores had test certificates prominently displayed. This meant that over 95% of stores did not have test certification required to display, sell, offer test rides and transport unregistered electric scooters. Following these complaints, raids have been conducted and showrooms have been shut. Vehicles have been seized and a show-cause notice has been sent to the Bhavish Aggarwal led electric two wheeler manufacturer.
    On further inquiry, the automaker however, has brushed aside these complaints. Though the company did not directly confirm or deny that their stores had been raided over non-conformance to MVA regulations, they did state that reports of non-compliance are ‘misplaced’ and ‘prejudiced’.
    Spokespersons contend that the company does maintain an inventory of unregistered vehicles at their various stores and warehouses across the country. They also confirmed that all necessary approvals are in order and are fully compliant with the Motor Vehicles Act while they possess all required approvals.
    This issue of non-compliance is not new. The first warning was sent by the transport department to Ola Electric way back in 2023. To date, nearly two dozen notices have been sent by state-level transport officials, while the recent matter was brought to the fore in March 2025 with Transport officials confirming that further investigations are underway at Ola stores with stores being raided and some of them closed.
    Falling Sales, Decline Share Price
    Ola Electric has suffered a steep decline in demand. Sales have plunged and share prices have plummeted by over 60% from its peak since listing in August 2024. In Feb 2025, the company sold just over 8,500 units relating to a severe YoY decline. The company also lost out on its No. 1 position in this segment, to Bajaj, TVS Motors and Ather Energy, relegated to a No. 4 spot on the government portal VAHAN since customers cannot receive unregistered vehicles.
    Despite these constraints, Aggarwal states that the company could see a turn-around soon. Sales will be back on track at around 50,000 units per month. The company’s portfolio continues to include both Gen 2 and Gen 3 products with the 3rd generation S1 range that includes S1 X, S1 X+, S1 Pro, and S1 Pro+ models. The company also announced the upcoming MoveOS 5 beta release. This new update offers a range of among which are Smartwatch App, Smart Park, Bharat Mood, Road Trip Mode powered by Ola Maps, Live Location Sharing, Emergency SOS, etc.
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    2W Retail Sales Feb 2025 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, RE, Yamaha, Ather, Ola, Jawa

    2024 Hero Splendor with Disc BrakeThe Indian two-wheeler market faced a decline in retail sales in February 2025, with total registrations at 13,53,280 units, down 6.33% from 14,44,674 units in February 2024, reveals FADA. The decline was driven by lower sales in key brands like Hero, Honda, Bajaj, and Yamaha, while some manufacturers like TVS, Suzuki, Royal Enfield, and Ather saw positive growth.
    Hero and Honda Lead, but Face Decline
    Hero MotoCorp retained its leadership in retail sales with 3,85,988 units, but recorded a 6.80% YoY decline compared to 4,14,151 units in February 2024. Honda followed closely with 3,28,502 units, marking a 7.79% drop from last year’s 3,56,245 units. Both brands faced headwinds due to weak rural demand and higher financing costs.
    2W Retail Sales Feb 2025
    TVS Motor Company bucked the trend with a 1.96% YoY increase, selling 2,53,499 units, up from 2,48,621 units in February 2024. Suzuki also registered a 4.30% growth, selling 76,673 units compared to 73,514 units last year. Royal Enfield, driven by strong demand for its new models, saw a 6.33% increase, with 70,130 units sold.
    Electric Two-Wheelers See Mixed Performance – Ola Registers Big Decline
    Among electric two-wheeler brands, Ather Energy witnessed an impressive 29.80% growth, with 11,807 units sold. However, Ola Electric faced a steep 74.61% drop, falling from 34,063 units in February 2024 to 8,647 units. This decline could be attributed to subsidy reductions and supply chain challenges affecting production.
    Bajaj Auto saw a 10.45% YoY decline, selling 1,53,631 units, down from 1,71,561 units in February 2024. Yamaha, which had been performing well in previous months, saw a 13.47% drop, with 46,095 units sold. Piaggio also registered a decline of 21.41%, with 2,302 units sold.
    The overall slowdown in two-wheeler retail sales in February 2025 reflects weak consumer sentiment and economic factors like rising costs and financing hurdles. While traditional brands like Hero and Honda saw declines, TVS, Suzuki, and Ather managed to post growth. The electric two-wheeler segment continues to face fluctuations, with Ather gaining momentum while Ola struggles. Moving forward, manufacturers will focus on expanding their product portfolios and introducing new models to revive demand in the coming months. More

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    TVS RTS X Seat Design Patented – Production-Spec Bike Launch In 2026?

    TVS RTS X Seat Design Patented In IndiaOne of India’s leading 2W and 3W vehicle manufacturers, TVS Motor, has just patented a new component in India, which will spark a lot of interest among Indian motorcycling enthusiasts. We say this because this component belongs to RTS X Supermoto style motorcycle concept which was showcased at Auto Expo 2025. Let’s take a closer look.
    TVS RTS X Seat Design Patented
    Supermoto genre is currently not mainstream in Indian market. However, KTM is likely to launch 390 SMC R in India in the near future. It will enjoy quite a monopoly as there are no natural rivals for it yet. That’s where TVS’ RTS X Concept comes into the equation. It was showcased at Auto Expo 2025 and is far from production.
    TVS RTS X Seat Design Patented In India
    TVS has patented RTS X Concept’s seat design in India. Which begs the question whether TVS has launch intentions. There is a good probability that TVS is just protecting its IPs (Intellectual Properties) and this seat and RTS X will be limited to concept or prototype phases for future demonstrations.
    However, we’re optimistic and we would like to see it launch under Apache RTS (S for Supermoto) sub brand and roll on Indian roads as an absolute style statement. This seat TVS has patented in India, has ribs at the front on either ends offering rider better grip around their thigh areas.
    TVS RTS X Supermoto Concept

    What to expect?
    Towards the rear, there is a pronounced cut in this seat. This is where TVS RTS X’s tail lights protrude into the seats, as seen in concept vehicle. Where design is concerned, TVS RTS X looks nothing like Indian market has ever seen before. In its concept form, it is extremely futuristic, while production-spec model might be watered-down.
    Notable elements include Jet Fighter style engine start button on fuel tank, an underseat exhaust with a hexagonal tip concealed within the body panels, a pill-shaped fully digital instrument cluster, sharp and edgy body panels, muscular tank shrouds, sleek LED lights, USD front forks and rear mono-shock setup, 17-inch wheels on both ends with fat rubber, tall seat height of 875 mm and a kerb weight of 144 kg.
    TVS RTS X Supermoto Concept
    Powering the TVS RTS X Concept motorcycle is a 300cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, which is likely to be the company’s new RT XD4 engine, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. This motorcycle promises 0-60 km/h sprint in 2.8s and 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.3s. If TVS considers to bring this motorcycle to production, we can expect it to break covers in 2026.
    TVS RT XD4 Engine More

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    KTM Duke 160 and RC 160 Launch Planned – To Take On Yamaha MT15, R15

    KTM 125 Duke – Image for illustration
    In a major shift for its entry-level lineup, KTM is set to discontinue the 125 Duke and RC 125 in India, replacing them with more powerful 160cc versions. This strategic move is aimed at taking on Yamaha’s 155cc offerings, the R15 V4 and MT-15, which together contribute to a sizeable 20,000-unit monthly sales figure.
    More Power, Same Aggressive Styling
    The upcoming KTM 160 Duke and RC 160 will borrow heavily from their 200cc siblings in terms of design and equipment. The 160 Duke will retain the aggressive stance of the 200 Duke, while the RC 160 will follow the styling cues of the RC 200 and RC 390, featuring a sharper, more aerodynamic fairing. Both bikes will be underpinned by KTM’s trademark trellis frame and are expected to come equipped with 43mm USD forks, monoshock suspension, dual-channel ABS, and a digital LCD instrument cluster.
    A new 160cc engine, derived from the 200 Duke’s motor, will power these bikes. The output is expected to be around 19-20hp, marking a significant jump from the 14.5hp produced by the outgoing 125cc models. This also gives KTM an edge over Yamaha’s 155cc liquid-cooled engine, which delivers 18.4hp.
    Pricing & Launch Timeline
    While pricing will likely remain competitive against Yamaha’s R15 V4 (Rs 1.83-2.1 lakh) and MT-15 (Rs 1.69-1.74 lakh), KTM is unlikely to undercut these models significantly, considering that the 125 Duke already retails at Rs 1.81 lakh and the RC 125 at Rs 1.92 lakh.
    The KTM 160 Duke and RC 160 are expected to launch by mid-2025, ahead of the festive season. The RC 160 could debut alongside the Duke or follow soon after. With a bump in power and more premium features, KTM’s latest offering aims to provide better value and a stronger alternative in the growing 150-160cc segment.
    Bajaj Statement – “We would like to clarify that neither KTM nor Bajaj Auto has officially announced this news. It is a case of misinformation and is unrelated to KTM’s financial restructuring.”
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    Ultraviolette Tesseract 20k Pre-Bookings in 48 Hours – Introductory Price Offer Extended

    Ultraviolette TesseractUltraviolette, the maker of India’s fastest motorcycle, has witnessed an unprecedented surge in demand for its latest offering, the Tesseract. Within just 48 hours of its unveiling, the “World’s Most Advanced Scooter” has received over 20,000 pre-bookings, marking a significant milestone in India’s electric mobility landscape.
    Introductory Price Extended for First 50,000 Buyers
    Owing to the overwhelming response, Ultraviolette has extended the special introductory price of Rs 1.2 lakh for the first 50,000 bookings. This move aligns with the company’s commitment to making high-performance EV technology more accessible to Indian consumers.
    Ultraviolette Tesseract
    Expressing gratitude for the enthusiastic reception, Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-founder of Ultraviolette, stated: “We are absolutely thrilled by the response to the Tesseract from across India. The overwhelming demand in such a short span is a testament to the trust and excitement that our customers have in Ultraviolette’s vision for the future of mobility. The Tesseract represents a paradigm shift in mobility, and with this incredible momentum we are excited to redefine the riding experience for customers in the segment.”
    Tesseract – Redefining Electric Mobility
    The Ultraviolette Tesseract has captivated enthusiasts with its futuristic combat helicopter-inspired design, integrated radar and dashcam, 20 bhp peak power, and an IDC-certified range of 261 km. The scooter’s rapid acceleration and advanced features set a new benchmark in the electric two-wheeler space.
    Ultraviolette Tesseract
    Customers can continue to pre-book the Tesseract at the Rs 1.2 lakh introductory price via Ultraviolette’s official website, until the first 50,000 reservations are completed. Similarly, enthusiasts looking to experience the ultimate “funduro” ride can secure their Shockwave before the next pricing tier kicks in.
    Ultraviolette Shockwave
    Shockwave Motorcycle Garners Rapid Bookings
    Alongside the Tesseract’s success, Ultraviolette’s Shockwave electric enduro motorcycle has also gained immense traction. Within 24 hours of opening bookings, the first 1,000 units were sold out. This lightweight, off-road-focused machine, priced at an introductory Rs 1,49,999, is designed to deliver the raw thrill of the two-stroke era, reimagined for the future. Given the overwhelming interest, Ultraviolette has now extended this special pricing to the next 1,000 pre-bookings.
    With record-breaking demand across both scooters and motorcycles, Ultraviolette is setting new benchmarks in India’s high-performance electric two-wheeler segment. More

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    2025 Honda CBR250RR Debuts With New Colour – 42 Bhp, 25 Nm

    2025 Honda CBR250RRHonda is a world renowned motorcycle manufacturer and has an extremely vast portfolio, many of which are not on sale in India for feasibility reasons. One such motorcycle is CBR250RR, which has been patented in India in early 2023. Now, this motorcycle has been updated to MY25 version with subtle updates. Let’s take a look.
    2025 Honda CBR250RR Debuts
    Indian motorcycle market used to get the Honda CBR250R, a single-cylinder quarter-litre motorcycle. However, Honda also has a more hardcore quarter-litre offering in the form of CBR250RR. More R’s in the name directly means more sportiness, more performance and more race-worthiness in Honda’s nomenclature.
    2025 Honda CBR250RR
    CBR250RR has been patented in India, but it looks like it was more of an IP protection exercise than launch intention. However, CBR250RR is a popular motorcycle among motorcycling enthusiasts across the world. For 2025, Honda has subtly updated its quarter-litre pocket rocket with a new colourway.
    Speaking of colours, Honda is offering three in total – Grand Prix Red, Pearl Glare White and Matte Buret Silver. Where pricing is concerned, Matte Buret Silver has been priced at JPY 902,000 (approx Rs 5.32 lakh), while Grand Prix Red and Pearl Glare White colourways are priced at JPY 940,500 (approx Rs 5.55 lakh).
    2025 Honda CBR250RR
    What else is new?
    Design continues to be aerodynamic with a sharp fairing inspired by company’s flagship CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. LED headlights, LED DRLs, an aerodynamic windscreen, fairing-mounted ORVMs, LED blinkers, chiseled fuel tank, low-set clip-on handlebars, premium switchgear, split seats, a digital instrument cluster are notable elements.
    Componentry includes USD telescopic Showa SFF-BP forks in Gold shade, rear mono-shock setup, single-petal disc at either ends with dual-channel ABS, 17-inch alloy wheels, 110-section front and 140-section rear tyres, dual-barrel exhaust and 14.5L fuel tank are highlights. All these are mounted on a potent chassis that boasts a kerb weight of 168 kg.
    2025 Honda CBR250RR
    Powering this motorcycle is a 249cc parallel twin-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC 4V/cyl engine that is capable of developing a peak power of 42 PS at 13,500 RPM and a peak torque of 25 Nm at 10,750 RPM, mated to a slipper clutch, 6-speed gearbox and a quick shifter. We hope Honda launch this motorcycle in India. If it does, it will take on motorcycle with similar performance like Aprilia RS 457 and Yamaha R3. 
    2025 Honda CBR250RR More

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    2025 BMW C 400 GT Scooter Launch Price Rs 11.5 Lakh

    2025 BMW C 400 GTIndia is one of the largest scooter market in India. However, the scooters that this market favours, are affordable ones. That does not stop BMW Motorrad from launching the updated 2025 C 400 GT in India, which has been priced at Rs 11.5 lakh (Ex-sh), which is Rs 25,000 more than before. Let’s take a look at everything new.
    2025 BMW C 400 GT
    BMW Motorrad’s flagship scooter for India, the C 400 GT, has just been updated. The preceding version of BMW C 400 GT was priced at Rs 11.25 lakh (Ex-sh) and is still brought into the country via CBU route. This is a niche scooter for India’s uber rich and discerning elites, who want to make a style statement.
    2025 BMW C 400 GT
    With 2025 BMW C 400 GT, the company has given a few visual updates that keep it fresh and in line with evolving buyer trends. Where design is concerned, C 400 GT is a large maxi scooter and 2025 model is no different. This scooter has a lot of road presence and exudes domination when compared to mainstream scooters.
    BMW C 400 GT Headlight
    Side body panels in 2025 model get larger GT graphics towards the rear. Front apron now gets interesting stripes which lends an interesting appeal. Also new, is the Gold shade used on alloy wheels and disc brake callipers, which seems to be exclusive to Diamond White Metallic colour only. C 400 GT is the only scooter in India to get dual front disc brakes.
    2025 BMW C 400 GT
    What are the changes?
    Because C 400 GT is a Grand Touring scooter, BMW has carved out a massive underseat storage along with front storage behind apron. For 2025 model, underseat storage has grown larger by up to 7.1L in capacity. Front storage has been enlarged by up to 3.2L. Both are welcome additions for a Grand Touring scooter.
    BMW C 400 GT Larger Boot
    Notable elements on this scooter include a lower seat height of 765 mm, massive quad-barrel LED headlight with a dominating LED DRL signature, a new and adjustable windshield, a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster with connectivity and navigation, sofa-like mammoth seats, premium quality, keyless function, Type-C charging ports and more.
    BMW C 400 GT Top Box Accessory
    Where powertrain is concerned, 2025 BMW C 400 GT has retained the same 350cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with 34 bhp and 35 Nm, mated to a CVT gearbox. 2025 model gets updated safety suite including ABS Pro with Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control and Engine Brake Control as standard. It rides on 15-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels and weighs 214 kg.
    BMW C 400 GT Instrumentation More