Upcoming Aprilia RS 150, Tuono 150 To Get Larger Motor?

The company is looking at engine capacities between 150 and 250cc for both bikes

• Currently, the 149.2cc motor produces 18PS/14Nm.
• Both bikes were unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo.
• The company could possibly launch a more powerful version of both bikes in India.
• Aprilia is looking at maximum localisation to keep prices in check. 

Aprilia first unveiled the RS 150 and Tuono 150 at the 2018 Auto Expo. These scaled down motorcycles were to be assembled at the Piaggio plant in Baramati. However, the launch of the Yamaha R15 V3 that offered more performance at a comparatively affordable price resulted in Aprilia going back to the drawing board. We had earlier reported that Aprilia was looking to offer the upcoming bikes with more performance or a larger motor.

Now, Aprilia has confirmed the same. Speaking to Money Control, Diego Graffi, Managing Director and CEO, Piaggio Vehicles, said “I can confirm that the interest for the segment and what would be the market opportunity for it here in India exists. The brand will be Aprilia (and) the kind of bike will be a premium, mid-range with an engine size between 150cc and 250cc. We are studying various options and are trying to find what would be the best offering at the time we will be entering the market.”

While not much was disclosed about the motor, we believe this new engine will be designed keeping the South Asian market in mind. Knowing Aprilia, performance is a given. So we can safely expect a larger-than-150cc, liquid cooled, four-valve, single-cylinder (to keep costs competitive) motor that could make power in the range of 25-30PS. The RS 150 and Tuono 150 displayed at the Expo made 18PS and 14Nm which was lower than the Yamaha R15 V3’s power output of 19.3PS and 14.7Nm.

As Aprilia has already proven with its scooters, such as the SR150, expect a premium pricing, but not outrageously so. To justify that premium, expect the bikes to get a host of features. Depending on the engine capacity, the faired Aprilia RS could go up against the KTM RC 200 or Suzuki Gixxer SF 250. The naked Tuono could compete with either the KTM 200 Duke, 250 Duke or the upcoming Suzuki Gixxer 250.

Stay tuned for more details about these new bikes.