Aishwarya Pissay has added one more World Championship medal to her kitty by securing third place in the 2024 FIM Bajas World Cup. With this victory, she has become the first and only Indian to win three World Championship medals in Motorsport.

The championship's eighth and final event, the challenging Dubai International Baja, took place on Sunday, marking the end of the season. The Bengaluru rider, who competed in the 450 cc and Ladies' classes, encountered technical difficulties, including problems with her navigation system in the last round, which prevented her from making it to the final classification. Notwithstanding these disappointments, she was able to solidify her position as a trailblazer in Indian motorsport by earning enough points from previous events to clinch the second runner-up spot on the Bajas World Cup standings.

With her victory in the 2019 Bajas World Cup, Pissay became the first Indian to win a World Championship in motorsport. She currently possesses three World Cup medals, which is a record in 2W motorsport. Together with co-sponsors IIFL, Micro Labs and Surana College, TVS Racing has helped to support her outstanding achievements.

Pissay said, “This rally was a true test of resilience. Unfortunately, technical issues with the navigation system on both days kept me out of the general classification, but every challenge brings a valuable lesson. Rally life often throws the unexpected at you, and this experience has only fuelled my determination to come back stronger. Despite the setbacks, I’m immensely proud to have secured 3rd place in the World Championship for India. This marks my third World Championship podium in the history of the sport, and I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my team, fans, and everyone who continues to believe in me.”

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Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has introduced the new Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 125 models with mechanical and technological updates to its most popular range.

The new Pulsar 150 carries an introductory price of INR 115,233 ex-showroom Delhi, while the Pulsar 125 is priced at INR 92,900.

First launched in 2001, the Pulsar line has recorded sales exceeding 20 million units across 40 countries over 25 years. The updated models retain the original chassis profile and fuel tank design while incorporating engineering changes to the engine, transmission, frame and suspension systems.

The new Pulsar 150 features a 149.5cc engine, which churns out 14 PS at 8,500 rpm and 13.7 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The Pulsar 125 contains a 124.58cc engine delivering 12 PS at 8,000 rpm and 11 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. Both models feature revised gear ratios to improve acceleration, a diamond-type frame using the engine as a structural member and a nitrogen-charged emulsion monoshock unit.

Additional updates include a 5-inch TFT display with navigation mirroring, digital document storage, call alerts and music management functions. The new Pulsar introduce three riding modes (Road, Rain and Sport), low-speed traffic assist technology, LED headlamps and an Integrated Starter Generator with start-stop functionality on top variants to reduce fuel consumption.

Sarang Kanade, Chief Business Officer – Two-wheeler Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “For over 25 years, Pulsar has been more than just a motorcycle. It has been the first taste of performance for generations of riders – the muscular tank, the unmistakable grunt, the rush of acceleration and the attitude that made it impossible to ignore. Pulsar has always been ‘Definitely Daring’, and that spirit remains at the heart of the brand. With the new Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 125, we have retained everything that makes Pulsar iconic while reimagining what lies beneath it. The result is a new generation of Pulsars that feels familiar in all the right ways, but is built for the riders of today.”

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TVS Motor Co-owned British marquee brand Norton Motorcycles has received a Bronze award at the International Design Excellence Awards for its Manx R superbike in the Automotive and Transportation category.

Organised by the Industrial Designers Society of America, the annual awards ceremony took place in Pasadena, California, where Darren McNeill, Head of Marketing at Norton US, collected the honour. Interestingly, Manx R becomes the first production sports motorcycle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) to receive an IDEA award.

Simon Skinner, Head of Design, Norton Motorcycles, said, “The Manx R was created to challenge what a modern superbike can look and feel like. We wanted to move away from visual noise and create something more reductive, more crafted and more connected to the rider. Every surface, exposed component and detail had to earn its place. Winning an IDEA award is a proud moment for the whole Norton team because it recognises the depth of design thinking behind the bike, not just the finished object.”

The Manx R was developed as the primary model under Norton's Resurgence strategy following its acquisition by TVS Motor Company. Chief Creative Advisor Professor Gerry McGovern OBE shaped the design direction, while Simon Skinner led the engineering and styling teams at Norton’s headquarters in Solihull, UK.

Gerry McGovern said, “From the beginning, the ambition for Norton’s Resurgence was to create a design direction that was modern, emotionally engaging and worthy of the brand’s extraordinary heritage. The Manx R proves that motorcycles, like cars, can be objects of desire through proportion, stance, drama and detail. To see that recognised by an international jury of designers is a meaningful endorsement of the direction Norton has taken.”

The motorcycle features a V4 engine, semi-active suspension, Brembo brakes, rider assistance systems and an eight-inch TFT display. The Manx R superbike and the Atlas adventure motorcycle will go on sale in the United States starting in October 2026.

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Chennai-headquartered mid-sized motorcycle major Royal Enfield has launched the Classic 350 Gorkha Edition in India, priced at INR 210,684 ex-showroom, New Delhi.

The new variant is finished in a Gorkha Green paint scheme and features insignia displaying crossed Khukris, reflecting design references to the Gorkha Regiment. Mechanical specifications retain the J-series engine and standard frame configuration, while additions include an assist and slipper clutch alongside a Type-C USB charging port.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Enfield, said, "With the Classic 350 Gorkha Edition, we pay tribute to an extraordinary military legacy defined by fierce bravery, loyalty and absolute honour. Every detail stays true to the timeless character of the Classic 350, while the bespoke Gorkha insignia speak of the values that have defined this regiment for generations. The Gorkha apparel collection extends that tribute beyond the ride, giving our community a way to carry that legacy forward with pride and purpose."

Lieutenant General Sanjeev Chauhan, President, Gorkha Brigade, said, "The strength of the Gorkha Regiment lies not only in its history, but in the values of courage, discipline and honour that have been upheld across generations. It is a privilege to see this legacy acknowledged through the Royal Enfield Classic 350 Gorkha Edition, which pays tribute to the spirit and traditions of the Gorkha soldiers with dignity and respect."

Royal Enfield also introduced an accompanying merchandise line, designated as the Gorkha Collection. The range includes helmets, leather boots, headgear and apparel designed using military-inspired colour options including olive green, crimson, black, and bronze.

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India Yamaha Motor has announced updates to its 125cc Fi Hybrid scooter line-up, which introduces new colour schemes, revised body graphics and technology features across the RayZR and Fascino model ranges.

The RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid receives updated paint finishes and graphics. Within the range, the Street Rally variant now incorporates a Colour TFT Instrument Cluster with Turn-by-Turn navigation functionality for smartphone integration.

The Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid also receives colour updates and bodywork revisions. Pricing for the RayZR range starts at INR 79,880 for the Drum brake variant in Metallic Black, moving to INR 87,680 for the Disc variant available in Metallic Black, Dark Matte Blue, and Ice Fluo Vermillion.

The Street Rally variant with an LCD cluster is priced at INR 93,930 in Ice Fluo Vermillion and Matte Black, while the TFT instrument cluster model costs INR 100,440 in Matte Titan and Matte Black.

The Fascino line-up begins at INR 78,980 for the Drum variant in Yellow Cocktail, rising to INR 91,070 for the Disc variant offered in Metallic Light Green, Cool Blue Metallic and Matte Black. The Fascino S variant is priced at INR 99,030 in Metallic Orangish Gray. Both model lines retain Yamaha’s Smart Motor Generator Hybrid Technology, featuring power assist, silent start and automatic engine stop-start systems.

Hardware across the range includes telescopic front suspension, 21-litre under-seat storage compartments, side-stand engine cut-off switches and E20 fuel compatibility. The Fascino S and RayZR Street Rally TFT variants also feature answer-back function capabilities.

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