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    Aprilia SXR 160 Scooter Bookings Open 11 Dec – Deliveries Start Soon After

    Aprilia SXR 160 Scooter
    The Aprilia SXR 160 Maxi Scooter could be priced from around Rs.1.30 lakhs

    The Aprilia SXR 160 maxi scooter has been detailed prior to launch later this month. It will be opened for bookings at the end of this week – on 11th Dec.
    Bookings will open online, as well as at their dealer across India. The new scooter has entered production at the company plant in Baramati earlier this month.
    Aprilia SXR 160 is designed in Italy specifically for the Indian market. It is a maxi scooter as was seen when on display at the 2020 Auto Expo in February. Launch was initially set for earlier this year but the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delay.
    Aprilia SXR 160 Design
    Where design is concerned, the maxi scooter boasts of ample luggage and leg space. The rider gets an upright riding stature for better comfort. It receives a large seat, LED headlamps inspired by the RS660 and an angular front apron. Design elements to the rear include an LED tail lamp with integrated rear blinkers.

    The Aprilia SXR 160 gets a fully digital LCD instrument cluster with feather touch switches, a USB charging port and smartphone connectivity. Styling elements also include raised handlebars, 12 inch alloy wheels and illuminated under-seat storage. It will get ABS among its safety features while Piaggio has announced that the maxi scooter will boast of excellent handling and efficient stability even at higher speed.
    Most Powerful Scooter in Segment
    Piaggio Aprilia SXR 160 is slated to be the most powerful scooter in its segment. It will get its power via a 160cc, 3 valve, single cylinder, fuel injected engine which also powers the SR160. No power or torque figures have been revealed as on date but are expected to be in the region of 10.7 hp and 11.6 Nm. The engine gets mated to a CVT unit.
    Braking and suspension will be via ventilated disc brakes with twin pot calipers and telescopic fork in the front and adjustable shock absorbers at the rear. Once launched, the Aprilia SXR 160 will compete against its very own siblings Aprilia SR 160 and 150 cc Vespa scooters while it will also go up against the Suzuki Burgman Street 125.
    As per dealer sources, the SXR 160 will be launched at the end of December with deliveries to commence from first week of January 2021. Apart from the Aprilia SXR 160, the company is also planning launch of the Aprilia SXR 125 maxi-scooter in India based on SR 125 which will follow launch of the SXR 160. More

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    Aprilia SXR 160 Officially Teased – Production Starts Next Month

    2021 Aprilia SXR 160
    Piaggio India ready to begin Aprilia SXR 160 production at Baramiati plant

    Piaggio India is set to start Aprilia SXR 160 production at its Baramati plant. Aprilia SXR 160 was showcased earlier this year at Auto Expo 2020, Greater Noida. The premium scooter brings together style, performance and a comfy riding experience.
    SXR 160 relies on its next-gen global design appeal and tech advanced features for a premium experience. Its unique placement will create a new premium scooter market category. Power comes from a BSVI 160 CC engine with three-valve Fuel Injection (FI) clean emission engine tech.

    On the exterior is a 3 coat HD body paint finish, Aprilia signature graphics, matt black design trims, and dark chrome elements. Design elements draw from sharp body lines, and geometric contours. The light element is built on wrap around LED tech twin crystal headlights and eye line position lights that merge front indicator blinkers. Diamond reflection wrap around LED taillights with integrated rear blinkers fits right in with its modern appeal.
    Designed To Improve Ride Experience
    An ergonomically well-positioned raised steering handlebar with feather touch switches enables ease of operation. Seating position enables rider’s feet to touch the ground to start, slow down or wait at a signal. Dual telescope front suspension and adjustable rear suspension are tuned for daily commute. This can be altered through rear suspension adjustment if on a different road surface, they can do so by adjusting the rear suspension.

    Ride experience and comfort gains from bigger, longer, comfy and ergonomic seats in art leather suede feel finished in special stitch pattern in grey and red threads. The 210 cm sq. multifunctional all digital cluster lets riders view multiple features.
    Mobile connectivity accessory connects one’s phone to the scooter to help locate it, and to raise a security alarm, or immobilize it as necessary. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with ventilated disk brakes and twin pots calliper hydraulic brakes offer grand braking performance.
    Piaggio India dealership network
    The company is keen on quick dealer network expansion to cater to customers better for its new scheduled launches. Piaggio India works out of over 250 dealerships, and this number is to be increased for over 400+ dealerships. To ensure this, the company welcomes premium mindset entrepreneurs to the company’s dealership business model to take it to new towns and cities.
    Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, Piaggio India said, “We are extremely excited to soon introduce the highly anticipated and a unique, premium proposition for our discerning customers. As promised at the Auto Expo 2020, we are gearing up for the production of Aprilia SXR 160 in India and unfolding a new chapter for the scooter industry. With its highly innovative design, the SXR 160 is set to create a new unmatched experience of premium style, high comfort and best in class performance.” More

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    Aprilia SXR160 Scooter Launch Next Month – Exp Price Rs 1.25 Lakh

    Aprilia SXR160
    Aprilia SXR160 will be the first proper maxi-scooter in India which will be followed by the Forza range from Honda next year

    Piaggio-owned Aprilia will be launching its much anticipated SXR 160 maxi-style scooter next month. As per reports, the power scooter will hit showrooms somewhere around the first or second week of December and is expected to be pegged at Rs 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
    Certain dealers have started accepting bookings for SXR160 at a token amount of Rs 5,000. The maxi-scooter was first showcased at the AutoExpo 2020 held earlier this year. This scooter is the effort of Piaggio to offer an accessible maxi-scooter which has been absent until now.
    It will be by far the largest scooter both in terms of size and engine displacement to go on sale in India surpassing SXL 150 and VXL 150 from Aprilia’s sister brand Vespa. It will continue to hold this honour until Honda introduces the new Forza 350 in the country sometime next year.
    Mechanical Details
    In terms of powertrain, it receives the same 160cc single-cylinder motor from SR 160 that pushes out 11 PS of power and 11.2 Nm of peak torque. This unit will be mated to a CVT gearbox.
    Aprilia SXR 160
    Suspension duties will be handled by a telescopic fork and a mono-shock unit at rear. Unlike SR160 which rides on 14-inch wheels, this one rides on 12-inch alloy wheels while anchoring duties on both units are carried out by disc brake at both ends assisted by single-channel ABS.
    Design & Features
    The low wheel size should also mean that underneath storage space will be sizeable. There’s additional storage in the form of an apron mounted compartment. In terms of features, it gets a fully digital instrument cluster, an optional smartphone connectivity tech, a USB charging port and more. The scooter features a sharp design language which consists of a LED headlight, LED DRLs, LED taillights, a tall windscreen, a stretched-out floorboard and a slightly stepped-up seat
    The new Aprilia 160 will be offered in four colour options which includes blue, red, black and white. In all probability, it will be made available in one valiant only.
    This will be the first maxi-scooter which will be offered in India. Upon its launch, it will not have any direct rivals in the market but will compete against the likes of Suzuki Burgman Street, TVS Ntorq and its Vespa cousins- SXL and VXL. Following this, Aprilia is also expected to launch SXR125 at a later stage.
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  • New Aprilia SXR 160 Scooter Teased – Launch Next Month ?

    Piaggio had showcased the Aprilia SXR 160 maxi-scooter back in February this year during the AutoExpo
    Piaggio India, Aprilia’s parent company, has shared a teaser image of the upcoming SXR 160 on its social media platform. Earlier, the company’s Chairman and MD, Diego Graffi, during the launch of the Vespa Racing Sixties had stated that the much anticipated Aprilia SXR 160 is slated to launch later in November this year.

    However, with the teaser shared, there might be a good chance that it be launched sooner than later – hopefully next month, in Oct 2020. The SXR 160 made its maiden appearance at the AutoExpo 2020 and created a lot of buzzes at that time. The scooter should have been launched much earlier but makers had to defer their plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Design & Features
    Coming to the teaser, it shows the front end of the scooter which is very clear yet one can comprehend the overall design of it. The teaser distinctly shows that there are two separate units of headlights with C-shaped DRLs integrated onto them that make the scooter more stylish. Although the concept of DRL is seen more in cars and bikes, in this case, one will get to see a DRL with twin headlight setup in a scooter.
    Aprilia SXR160 Teased
    Talking about other elements associated with designing the Aprilia SXR 160, it gets a windscreen that is clearly visible on the teaser. From what we saw at the AutoExpo, it sports a noteworthy design with the LED lighting setup in the front apron. The scooter comes with a flat oversized seat, a black flyscreen, a flat footboard and a wide handlebar. The 12-inch alloy wheels surely enhance the sportiness.
    When it comes to features it is equipped with a fully digital instrument console that offers essential readouts like speed, odometer trip meter, ABS status fuel-efficiency, etc. it is also expected to offer Bluetooth connectivity. The scooter will also have a USB port inside its illuminated under-seat storage.
    Mechanical Details
    The SXR 160 will draw its power from the same 160.03cc, three-valve, single-cylinder engine which is borrowed from its sibling- SR 160. This unit cranks out 11 bhp of power at 7,600rpm and 12 Nm at 6000rpm of peak torque. It will come married to a CVT gearbox. Suspension duties on the scooter are expected to be taken care of by telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock unit at rear.
    Aprilia SXR 160
    Possible SXR 125
    For the uninitiated, the SXR 160 is a maxi-scooter which is rather an unexplored segment of scooters in India. Currently, Suzuki Burgman 125 is the only maxi-scooter offered in the Indian market. Piaggio India also intends to launch a smaller version of SXR 160- the SXR 125 as stated during the AutoExpo this year.
    SXR125 will be powered by a 125cc engine which will be borrowed from the Vespa 125cc scooters. One can expect the smaller SXR to arrive sometime late next year. As far as pricing is concerned, we can expect Piaggio to offer it at a price between Rs 1.15-1.25 lakh (ex-showroom). More

  • Vespa, Aprilia Launches Scooter Leasing in Pune and Bangalore

    Leasing option will help customers the benefits of owning a Vespa or Aprilia scooter at lower initial cost
    While two-wheeler purchases aren’t particularly impacted by short term loans or other finance options, the finance market is fast turning into one with offers galore. For straight out purchases, finance options are now being curated to bring to the fore a more modern way of vehicle usage through leasing.

    Piaggio India 2 wheelers has introduced scooter leasing with OTO Capital through a range of leasing options for Vespa and Aprilia range of scooters in Pune and Bangalore. The leasing option makes available a Vespa or Aprilia scooter riding experience through a low down payment, and with 30 per cent discount on the EMI.
    Benefits from a special offer mean upto Rs 2,500 is completely waived off on the first month’s subscription fee. It goes without saying, customers have the option to upgrade or own the scooter at the end of lease tenure.
    BS6 Aprilia Storm
    Leasing Benefits
    Customers can engage in a convenient and paperless leasing process across Vespa and Aprilia dealerships through the OTO app. The leasing model of vehicle usage means customers pay only for the number of years they want to keep the vehicle, and have a wide flexibility to return it anytime.
    This means you pay for the period of lease and gain more. Leasing option is designed to highlight the convenience of an upgrade in the same EMI budget. Corporates that are associated with OTO Capital can enjoy Vespa and Aprilia scooter lease plans and take advantage of flexible ownership plans, with benefits from additional tax savings.
    Diego Graffi, Chairman and MD, Piaggio India said, “We welcome the partnership with OTO Capital to facilitate this new model of ownership.” Vespa and Aprilia premium range can now be enjoyed by a new group of customers who can benefit from a corporate association with OTO, meaning employees can avail of a lease and experience an interesting ownership option for a shorter or as deemed appropriate duration.
    New Launch
    Vespa Racing Sixties is the brand’s most recent launch, apart from the facelift BS6 range. It is priced from Rs 1.2 lakhs, ex-sh.
    Traditionally, purchasing a vehicle has moved from being an important family decision to one governed by more diverse needs. With time, the infrastructure for leasing options is being strengthened, and mindset change is beginning to peep through. The option of leasing comes without the commitment of thinking of the vehicle as a longterm investment and thinking in advance of what one should do with the vehicle once usage cycle has been reached. Leasing would mean customers can easily flip their vehicle at a much faster pace, or keep it if they so desire once the lease period concludes. More

  • Aprilia sub 400 cc motorcycle launch planned – KTM 390, BMW G310 rival

    Earlier, Aprilia had showcased the RS150 and Tuono 150 at AutoExpo 2018
    In the latest development, Italian bike manufacturer Aprilia has confirmed that it will be entering the 300-400cc motorcycle segment in India. In all probability, these new bikes will be the sub-400cc iterations of Aprilia RS and Tuono models and will be specifically designed for Indian consumers.

    On the occasion of launch of the special edition Vespa Racing Sixties scooters, Piaggio India chief Diego Graffi confirmed the above development. He admitted that the company is evaluating entry-level products in the 300-400cc space. He further added that these bikes are still in a planning phase of development and would take at least two to three years to reach the market.
    These bikes will be all new products and will be based on a newly built platform. The motorcycles will be manufactured locally in India whereas it is expected to be engineered and designed in Italy with inputs from Aprilia India. We expect that the bikes will carry an identical powertrain with one being a naked street racer while the other being a fully faired sports bike.
    Aprilia 150cc motorcycles at Auto Expo 2018
    At AutoExpo 2018, Aprilia showcased their concepts of 150cc version of RS and its naked counterpart Tuono. The bike maker was pondering over the idea of bringing lightweight entry-level motorcycles to India. However, Graffi has confirmed that this plan has been shelved, as it is too late to introduce new bikes in 125-150cc space.
    The brand was planning to achieve more accessibility to Indian masses like the SR150 in its initial phase. However, the company realised that it doesn’t make much sense to build a low-cubic displacement high-spec bike. It found more scope in developing platform middleweight bikes. Some might also believe that it might develop a scaled-down version of the RS660.
    Aprilia GPR250
    In the sub-300cc segment, Aprilia has the GPR250 in China which was earlier spotted in India. It was supposed to be launched here in India. However, now it seems that the company has had a change of heart and decided against it. One of the primary reasons for this, could be its ordinary performance even though it is very well equipped with features.
    Expected Powertrain and Price
    Coming back to the upcoming made in India bikes, Piaggio hasn’t divulged any details as of yet. If we were to make a guess, the bikes will be powered by an all-new 350-400cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled powertrain which will keep the cost in check. This unit is expected to be mated to a six-speed gearbox. As far as design is concerned, one can expect Aprilia to borrow some cues from their larger fully-faired and naked siblings- RSV4 1100 and Tuono V4 respectively.
    When launched in India, it will take on the likes of KTM 390 Duke and RC, Apache RR310, BMW G 310 duo. One can expect the prices to be northwards of Rs 3 lakhs. Aprilia also intends to make India the export hub for other South Asian and European markets through these products. More

  • Aprilia SR 125 scooter to be discontinued to favour Storm 125?

    Moving forward, Piaggio India will be focusing on the Aprilia Storm 125 and SR 160 scooters
    The Aprilia SR 150 entered the largely unexplored premium automatic scooter territory in India and quickly created a niche for itself. The huge fan following for the sporty scooter with youthful design, powerful engine, larger wheels and good handling encouraged Piaggio India to make the SR brand more accessible by introducing the 125 cc variant.

    The Aprilia SR 125 did make the Italian brand more accessible to Indian audience but the company felt a slightly lower price point would make it an even greater success. Enter the Storm 125, a low-cost version of the SR 125 which took a different nameplate so that it wont dilute the SR’s premium appeal.
    Aprilia SR 125 to be discontinued
    With Aprilia Storm 125 taking the responsibility of bringing sales volumes off the SR 125’s shoulders, the latter now finds itself in an awkward market position. The narrow price disparity between the Storm 125 and SR 125 in addition to significant performance boost offered by the new SR 160 for a reasonably small additional investment makes the smaller SR sort of redundant. It seems Piaggio India has come to a similar conclusion as well.
    BS6 Aprilia Storm
    Zigwheels reports that the Aprilia SR 125 will be discontinued in India once the existing stock depletes. The move is aimed at focusing more on the Storm brand for the 125 cc segment and retaining the SR’s premium appeal by offering it only in the 160 avatar. So, if you like the smaller SR, it is about time you get in touch with your local Piaggio dealer and try for a good deal.
    SR 125 vs Storm 125
    The Aprilia Storm 125 is essentially an SR 125 minus certain features. The design is pretty much identical but the Storm adopts matte paint job, fresh decals, an analog instrument console, dual-purpose tyres and a single headlamp element instead of SR 125’s twin elements. Moreover, the low-cost version loses out on front disc brake but is equipped with combi-braking system.
    Both scooters are powered by an air-cooled 125 cc engine which is mated to a CVT. Power and torque figures stand at 9.5 hp and 9.8 Nm respectively.
    Price
    The Aprilia scooter range witnessed a hefty price hike to the tune of INR 20,000 when they received BS6 upgrade. The Aprilia Storm 125 currently retails at around INR 87,000 while the SR 125 asks for a little over INR 95,0000. For reference, the Aprilia SR 160 starts at INR 1.04 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom).
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  • Aprilia Tuono 660 parallel-twin patent images out ahead of 2021 launch

    The upcoming Aprilia Tuono 660 and RS660 middleweights were showcased at 2019 EICMA as concepts
    Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Aprilia (under Piaggio Group) plans to launch two middleweight sports motorcycles in the near future: Tuono 660 and RS660. Both products were showcased at EICMA 2019 in early concept formats. Multiple sources claim that Aprilia is aiming for a Q1 2021 launch timeline. However, it remains unknown whether the brand would launch both models side by side. We expect to see the faired RS660 hit global markets first.

    Nevertheless, patent images of the production-spec Aprilia Tuono 660 have leaked online. As expected, the final version sports some differences over its initial concept avatar. Changes include a larger belly pan, additional venting, tweaked exhaust design (to meet emission norms), absence of lever guards, thinner tail section, a pair of grab handles, etc.

    It is worth mentioning that the 2019 Aprilia Tuono 660 concept sported a convincing styling approach unlike the usual trend among concepts. In modern automotive history, very few products have debuted in near-identical forms as their early concepts or prototypes.
    Engine & equipment
    Powering the 2021MY Aprilia Tuono 660 will be a ~660cc twin-cylinder engine making almost 95bhp. It is essentially half the power plant in the bigger Tuono V4 1100 (available in India). Furthermore, the engine is tuned to churn out lesser than the fully faired RS660 (expected to produce over 100bhp). This is to pass some tricky motorcycle licence regulations in European nations. Equipment such as traction control, riding modes, quickshifter, cornering ABS, etc., might stay common as part of the standard package.

    Though it is too early to comment on an Indian debut, unconfirmed notes suggest a launch timeline towards the end of next year. The Indian two-wheeler market has been witnessing a growing interest in premium middleweights. At present, the segment is dominated by the likes of BMW Motorrad, Kawasaki, Honda Motorcycle and Yamaha Motor. Aprilia does not have any products in this category.
    Aprilia India’s premium choices
    Alongside a three-product scooter portfolio, Aprilia India has three litre-class products: RSV4 1100 Factory, Tuono V4 1100 Factory and Tuono V4 1100 RR. They employ a 1077cc DOHC 64-degree V4 engine. In the RSV4 1100 Factory, it makes 214bhp @ 13,200rpm and 122Nm @ 11,000rpm while the Tuono V4 1100 Factory (and RR) produces 173bhp @ 11,000rpm and 121Nm @ 9,000rpm.

    The Indian market has been waiting for the single-cylinder Aprilia RS150 and Tuono 150 for almost three years. If launched, they will rival Yamaha Motor India’s YZF-R15 and MT-15 range of sportsbikes. More