Mahindra Two Wheelers, a new entrant to the market and part of the Mahindra Group, unveiled two brand new motorcycles, the Centuro and Pantero.
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Both bikes are equipped with a brand new engine which was developed at the company’s research & development (R&D) centre in Pune, over a period of 18 months.
The bikes, unveiled on Friday night, would be powered by the new 110 cc MCi-5 (Micro Chip ignited 5-Curve) engine and would roll out from the company’s factory at Pithampur near Indore.
The company said the Pantero would be launched in a fortnight in limited geographies to start with, while the Centuro would be launched about a month thereafter. The product prices would be announced closer to the launch date.
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Addressing media following the unveiling, Anoop Mathur, President –Two Wheeler Sector & Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “In the last three years, the market dynamics has seen highs and lows, but we have stayed invested in a progressively enhanced way with a thrust on technology and product development.”
Segmentation
“We are trying to create segmentation in the market as technology alone is not enough. We have to create a new space for ourselves as a new entrant and would like to be seen as a product and technology-led marketing company,” Mr. Mathur said.
The Pantero is positioned in the eco-commuter segment, and has features such as LED pilot and tail lamps, digital instrument cluster which features a speedometer, fuel gauge, trip meter and a clock. It offers mileage of 79.5 kmpl as per ARAI.
Viren Popli, Executive Vice President – Strategy and Market Development, Mahindra Two Wheelers, said the Centuro would have a Flip key, Central locking with engine immobiliser and a remote 128 bit key, Find-Me lamps, Guide lamps among other features. “We have taken 5 patents for all the features.”
According to Mr. Popli, “ the company is testing the engine for the Mojo, which will be the most technologically advanced engine in India and we expect Mojo to be launched mid 2013-14.”
The bikes would be launched in four variants: T-1 (Self Start/Cast Alloy Wheels/ Digital Console), T-2 (Self Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/Analog Console), T-3 (Kick Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Analog Console) and T-4 (Kick Start/ Spoke/ Analog Console).There is a choice of four colours: fiery red, sterling silver, blazing black and cool black.