Mahindra & Mahindra drives in 110-cc Centuro

Will roll out at least 10 new two-wheeler models over the next two years

M&M Group chairman Anand Mahindra (left) unveiling the M&M's new motorcycle Centuro in Jaipur on Monday. Photo: Rohit Jain Paras

The Mahindra group unveiled the 106.7-cc commuter motorbike, Centuro, an all-new offering from its gradually expanding two-wheeler portfolio, here on Monday amid announcements that the company would roll out at least 10 new two-wheeler models over the next two years and would not shy away from venturing into off-road bikes in future.

At Rs.45,000, the fully-loaded and only variant of the Centuro will come with a slew of bells and whistles, including “find me” lamps, advanced digital dashboard with distance-to-empty, service reminder indicators, anti-theft alarm with engine immobiliser and an encrypted remote flip key.

The bike comes with a maintenance-free battery and a five-year warranty.

Under the tank of the Centuro, nests the indigenously developed, 106.7-cc, MCi-5 (Micro Chip Ignited-5 Curve) engine and a promised mileage of 85.4 kmpl. The bike has a 5-step rear suspension to provide greater riding comfort on Indian roads.

Unveiling the new bike, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said the company’s success in the two-wheeler territory had proved wrong sceptics who had advised him against venturing into the segment.

“It just gave me a sense of deja vu because that’s the same advise the sceptics had when we moved into the (passenger) automotive segment and again when we built the Mahindra World City, first in Chennai and then in Jaipur,” said Mr. Mahindra.

“The Centuro is a prayaag, a confluence of customer feedback, out-of-the-box thinking and indigenous designing,” he said.

Asked why the company chose to launch the bike from Jaipur, he said Rajasthan was “a state where M&M feels at home”.

“Rajasthan has always been a stronghold for us. When I had just begun my training at Mahindra, I visited a village in Rajasthan which survived only by re-modelling Mahindra vehicles,” he reminisced.

New offerings

Anoop Mathur, President, Mahindra Two-Wheelers, said the company aimed at bringing new offerings to customers at regular intervals.

“We have a range of scooters and motorcycles lined up for launch. Over the next two years, we plan to roll out at least 10 new two wheeler models averaging about one new model every quarter,” said Mr. Mathur.

Asked about the Mojo, M&M’s eagerly anticipated 300-cc performance bike that first hit thro rumour mills in 2010, Mr. Mathur said “You can expect it to be launched before the next fiscal (2014),” he said.