Delhi Auto Expo 2012 : A Glimpse

Auto Expo is the most glittering launch-pad a vehicle manufacturer could ever dream of. What Naomi Campbell gained on the fashion ramp, vehicles try to achieve the same on the ramp of Auto Expo. The mere mention of the probable dates of the Expo incites heavy excitement among the automobile market. The Expo for the year 2012 started on the 5th of this month, and has now reached almost closing days. The best thing brewing was from 7th onwards, the Expo was open for all. The general public have visited the Expo and delighted themselves with the upcoming automobiles. Dream machines were seen, found, tried and tested! The whole of the capital city, Delhi, has been whipped up.

The crowd seems rushing just to watch the latest launches to happen for the Indian roads. There are an estimated 1500 participants from around 23 nations across the world. This particular Expo stands jet important to the Indian market globally because this is when India can confidently announce that our industry has come of age now. We no longer are behind in the race! Day one saw the launch of the heartbeat raiser, Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark 500cc by Royal Enfield. Plans for any new two wheeler would now start here and end on this bike, it has those looks! To summarize this bike is safe, cool and a comfortable stunner!

Post the breakup with Honda, Hero MotoCorp seems to have decided to face the competition head-on. Not just one, the company unveiled three new two wheelers for the Indian subcontinent, one of these being Maestro Scooter, which is expected to be running on Indian roads sometime this month itself. The other is a 110cc bike, Hero MotoCorp Passion XPro, and the last one has been named Hero Motocorp Ignitor, a 125cc bike, both of which are expected to hit the roads by the next few months. Smelling it to be the right time, Hero also showcased a black beauty, a matte black Hunk. This sure is hot!

Seven launches! That’s Triumph’s story. The reviews for these bikes have words likes “super sexy,” “wow,” “burning,” “awesome,” etc. The list continues, Naked Sports–Speed Triple, Off roader – Tiger 800XC, Power Cruisers – Storm, Rocket III Roadster, Super Sport Daytona 675, etc., all standing between Rs. 5.5 and 22 lakhs. Honda is one name that is always searched for when bikes are being discussed. So how could it have been left behind in the Expo? Honda has come up with Honda CBR 150cc, which it seems has been launched to compete with its own cousin Honda CBR 250R, Apache, Pulsar. Another one by Honda is Dream Yuga 110cc with a mileage of 72kmpl, worth a dream, isn’t it?

TVS didn’t launch anything new in the bike section, but showcased a cool dirt bike. TVS RTR 250fx is for those who are passionate for off-roading. A scooter, Qube, which was first showcased in 2010, was shown once again with a bit of redesigning. Other than the professional models ramping around the scoots and bikes, nothing like a launch from TVS. On the second day, that is 6th of this cold month January, Honda launched a stylish scoot, New Dio, with a 110cc engine. The New Dio gets revamped looks (means styled all the better now! ), a better performing engine. The ex-partner of Honda, Hero MotoCorp, brings a hybrid electric scooter, LEAP. This launch not only is a way to increase the sales, but also to create awareness and protect the environment, since it runs on battery and petrol both. Definitely a huge leap in this leap year! 

Seems, India is getting a global recognition now. Italian manufacturer, Piaggio, now has come to India standing on its own with a bang, launching a scooter named simply Vespa, and its already doing good in Europe. Reports say this unveiling was among the best of the whole of the Expo Cheers to Vespa! Ducati! The name itself has the capability to make hearts skip many a beats. Now imagine an affordable Ducati! This is not an early morning dream, but something that was actually heard and seen in Delhi…the Auto Expo! A Ducati Monster 795 for 6.99 lakhs…the news makes me a child again, feeling like to crib and rush to buy it immediately. What if such bikes were available like toys are. What if wishes were horses! Still unbelievable to hear Ducati and affordable together.

Harley Davidson India proved yet again that “no two Harley-Davidsons are the same”! Five Harleys in a row (hic hic hic). Gosh! adrenaline rush. The customized bikes that were showcased at the Expo on the second day: Super Glide (Custom Bobber), Street Bob (Edge Cut Chopper), Fatboy (Big Twin Custom), Iron883 (Dark Custom), Forty-Eight (Retro Machine). Is the news from Harley or the rough Heaven! for today the most enticing was The RE, the royal Royal Enfield! To ride a Harley or an Enfield, the first thing one ponders over is not about owning the bike, but having the physique to carry it around. The tough looks! To complete the looks, Royal Enfield has now launched a complete riding gear. The stall happens to be such an eye candy! Keep tuned for more on the hot ‘n’ spicy news from the Expo! More is yet to be seen and felt.