Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Metal dream reborn

High ride version of Royal Enfield

Billed as a motorcycling enthusiast’s ultimate dream, the biggest and the most powerful bikes from the Royal Enfield stable — the Classic 500 and the Classic 350 — were finally launched in India this past week after a European launc h in 2008. The motorcycle, which has already received a lot of appreciation from all major automobile magazines and journalists including names like Peter Egan and Cycleworld, promises its Indian customers the same level of performance, reliability and enjoyment they have come to associate with Royal Enfield over the years.

Underlining the pedigree of the bike, R.L. Ravichandran, CEO, Royal Enfield, India, said, “Ours is the oldest motorcycle manufacturing company in the world.” He claimed with a tinge of visible pride that only a Royal Enfield can take its rider “into a state of bliss, balance and contentment.”

The CEO credited the company’s recent turnaround to various initiatives including the emphasis on “the spirit of motorcycling” as the core aspect of the brand’s ethos and philosophy, which has led to a surge in aspirational demand among consumers, as opposed to the “nostalgic” demand the bike had in the ’90s.

The new bike has classic good looks derived from the design cues of the classical 1950s post war era. The ‘retro’ look of the bike inspired from Royal Enfield’s own ‘J2’ model of the 1950s gives it a rugged and classical appeal, which is the hallmark of the brand.

The classic 500 is, however, a completely modern interpretation of the classic motorcycle, featuring a 500cc Unit Construction Engine (UCE) — essentially an integrated assembly for the engine, gearbox and clutch supported by electronic fuel injection and twin spark ignition, which leads to less moving parts, less emissions and more efficiency.

The launch also marks the Eicher Motors owned brand’s foray into the international market as a global, leisure brand from India. Siddhartha Lal, managing director and CEO, Eicher group, underlined the company’s drive towards being a leisure brand from India. He added that Royal Enfield will continue to be a bike maker for the niche market.

Priced at Rs.1,24,918 for the Classic 500, and at 98,086 for the Classic 350 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the bikes are available at all Royal Enfield dealerships across the country.

Royal ride

•The Classic 300 is priced at Rs.1,24,918, and the Classic 350 is billed at 98,086.

•The bikes are available at all Royal Enfield dealerships across the country

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail