TVS to Launch 2013 Victor, Qube Hybrid and a New 125cc Scooter

Chennai-based Indian two-wheeler manufacturer, TVS Motor Company, is all set to launch three new products in 2013 including two automatic scooters and one motorcycle. The biggest hype will be created by the re-entry of TVS Victor, while the two automatic scooters will be India’s first Hybrid automatic scooter, Qube Hybrid and a 125 cc Automatic scooter. The scooter, Qube, will give all-new direction to the Indian scooter market; we are, supposedly, about to witness a new hybrid era pretty soon. Qube was first showcased at 2010 Auto Expo and then at 2012 Auto Expo, but now, finally, it seems the scooter will see sunlight. The scooter will be powered by a 100cc four stroke engine paired with an electric motor that comes with extended battery pack to ensure a longer covering range. The electric motor will nestle in the scooter’s wheel hub and draw power for propulsion from lithium-ion batteries.

Not only will this hybrid motor provide better fuel efficiency and low emissions, TVS is also claiming a higher fuel economy of 70kmpl. TVS Qube will have three different riding modes, namely, Electric, Hybrid Economy and Hybrid Power. The scooter looks modern and has a lot of style in it, like a cool LCD display as a speedo-console, which displays battery charge, fuel levels, speedometer, odometer, time and other check-lights. To achieve more fuel efficiency, it will also feature regenerative brakes that will help keep the battery charged and ensure longer travel range. The Qube Concept also had a projector headlamp; if TVS brings this feature in the production variant as well, it would be a segment first.

Victor might be the victory soldier for TVS on its re-entry as the bike will be positioned in the mass-appealing segment, the 100-110cc space of the Indian motorcycle market. The 100-110cc segment is the biggest pie of the Indian motorcycle market, which is about 65 per cent; Hero MotoCorp is the leader in this space and TVS has the minimal share in it. In last few months; to be noted is the fact that a new bunch of commuter bikes have been introduced including Suzuki Hayate, Honda Dream Yuga, Bajaj Discover 100 T.

2013 TVS Victor might use a re-tuned version of Star City’s 109.7cc, four stroke engine, currently pumping out 8.2 PS of power @ 7500 RPM and 8.1 Nm of torque @ 5500 RPM in the Star City, which will come mated to the same constant mesh 4-speed gearbox as in the Star City. The second scooter, which is going to be a 125cc automatic scooter is still under wraps. It might use the 125cc motor of the Wego and will be positioned against the likes of Suzuki Access and Swish, Mahindra Duro DZ and Rodeo RZ and the upcoming 125cc scooters from Honda and Yamaha. The latest entrant TVS Phoenix is doing well in the markets and these three new products will also help TVS to gain an in-depth access to the Indian two-wheeler market for sure.