Ather Energy Unveils Ather 450X Series1 Electric Scooter

Ashutosh Chincholikar Of Smart Controls Succumbs To Covid-19

Ather Energy, the Bangalore-based electric scooter manufacturer, has unveiled the collector’s edition of the Ather 450X, called Series1. This limited-edition scooter is available only to those Ather Energy enthusiasts who pre-ordered the scooter before the national launch of the Ather 450X on January 28th, 2020.

Ather 450X has a light hybrid aluminium frame chassis by using premium colour and finish. The Series1 vehicle comes with translucent panels, which is a first for Indian roads. Said to be made in India, the translucent panels in the rear offers a peek inside the scooter. One would be able to see the cast aluminium chassis and the trellis frame, a unique aspect of the Ather scooters, under the seat. The Series1 comes with a high-gloss metallic black body colour combined with accents of red. These signature colors also feature on the 7” touchscreen dashboard of the Series1 scooters, with a special intro screen and subtle hints of red in the UI designed for the scooters.

The Series1 edition will have a 6 kW PMSM electric motor which gets its energy from a 2.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, like the standard Ather 450X. It will also have the same set of riding modes - Eco, Ride, Sport, and a high-performance ‘Warp’ mode. According to internal tests, the 0-40 kmph acceleration time of just 3.3 seconds, makes the Ather 450X one of the quickest electric scooters in the 125cc performance categories in India.

Deliveries of Series1 will begin by November 2020 in all 11 cities - Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, and Kolkata. Ather Energy has clarified that the initial batches of Series1 scooters will ship out with black panels and will be upgraded to the translucent
panels in May 2021. 

Tarun Mehta, co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy
Tarun Mehta at the launch of Series1, collector's edition of the Ather450X

Tarun Mehta (pictured above), CEO, and Co-founder of Ather Energy said, “Like all our scooters, the Series1 is built from scratch and we hope our community loves it as much as we loved building it. Building automotive grade translucent panels is tricky and I am super excited that Ather is bringing them out for the first time ever with Series1. The teams have been working on it for months and despite the lockdown, have been able to produce something truly fantastic.”
 

BMW Motorrad India Launches M 1000 R Roadster Motorcycle At INR 3.35 Million

BMW M 1000 R

German luxury brand BMW Motorrad India has launched the M 1000 R roadster at prices starting INR 3.35 million. The motorcycle is available as a completely built-up unit (CBU), with pre-orders opening today at authorised dealerships with deliveries scheduled to commence in May 2026.

The M 1000 R is powered by a 999 cc water-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine, producing a peak output of 210 hp (154 kW) at 13,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 113 Nm at 11,100 rpm. The vehicle reaches 100 kmph in 3.2 seconds and has a maximum speed of 280 kmph.

The engine incorporates BMW ShiftCam technology to manage torque in the low and medium speed ranges. Mechanical components include titanium valves, camshafts and intake funnels for charge exchange at high speeds.

It features dual LED headlights and M Winglets that provide 11 kg of downforce at 220 kmph. The M Quick action throttle reduces the rotation angle required for acceleration. The rear frame and swingarm are finished in Platinum Grey metallic. Customers can also get an optional M Competition Package, which includes M Carbon wheels and GPS-Laptrigger, carbon covers for the rear wheel, chain & tank and adjustable footrest system.

The M 1000 R is equipped with a 6.5-inch TFT display and an OBD interface for data logging. Integrated riding modes include Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race and Race Pro 1-3. These modes adjust functions for the engine, traction control, wheelie control and ABS Pro using a 6-axis sensor box. The traction control system is derived from RR models.

It is available in two colour options Light White / M Motorsport and White Aluminium metallic matt.

BMW Motorrad India is providing a three-year warranty with no kilometre limit, with options for extensions to a fourth or fifth year. Roadside assistance is included as a 24-hour service.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The new BMW M 1000 R is a powerful expression of our M genetics, where a high-performance superbike meets a dynamic roadster. It is meticulously crafted for those who demand uncompromising performance both on the streets and the racetrack. With its unmistakable four-cylinder roar, the new M R is built for riders who relentlessly push their limits. This machine brings the uncompromising standards on M performance to the road, ensuring every ride is an authentic experience of power and precision.”

Zelio E-Mobility Launches 2026 X-Men+ Variant E-Scooter At INR 60,000

Zelio - X-Men+

Zelio E-Mobility, an electric vehicle start-up, has launched the 2026 variant of the X-Men+ low-speed electric scooter at INR 60,000.

The e-scooter comes with a claimed 120 km range, 25 kmph max speed, 12-inch rear wheel, hydraulic shock absorbers on both wheels and is available in Black, White, Blue & Gray colour options.

It is powered by a 60/72V BLDC motor, which consumes 1.5 units of electricity per charge. The X-Men+ supports both lithium and lead batteries, with charging times of four to five hours for lithium and eight to ten hours for lead.

As is the case with most e-scooters, the X-Men+ also comes with a reverse gear & parking switch, digital display, USB charging, anti-theft alarm and central locking. It comes with a two-year warranty, while the battery is covered by a one-year warranty.

Kunal Arya, Managing Director, Zelio E-Mobility, said, “Urban commuting demands reliability comfort and ease of use and the X-Men+ 2026 variant has been engineered to meet exactly those needs. With modern styling a larger rear wheel improved suspension and a host of rider-friendly features the X-Men+ 2026 variant provides a dependable and practical solution for city riders navigating daily traffic. This launch reinforces our commitment to practical purpose-built electric mobility for India.”

Established in 2021, Zelio E-Mobility has an annual manufacturing capacity of 72,000 units and operates a network of 350 outlets across 20 states and union territories in India.

Ducati India Launches Desmo450 MX Motocross Motorcycle At INR 1.72 Million

Ducati India - Desmo450 MX

Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati India has announced the launch of the Desmo450 MX, its first motocross motorcycle for the Indian market.

The model, developed through the MXGP World Championship, will be available at select dealerships starting at the end of March 2026 at a starting price of INR 1.72 million (ex-showroom).

The Desmo450 MX is powered by a 449.6 cc single-cylinder engine featuring Desmodromic distribution. It is the first production motocross motorcycle to include a traction control system designed to monitor and manage rear wheel slippage.

The motorcycle is constructed with an aluminium frame designed for rigidity and agility. Optional components from the Ducati Performance catalogue include:

  • Akrapovic titanium exhaust system
  • Brembo Racing brake calipers
  • Machined wheel hubs and triple clamps

The company has opened bookings now with the deliveries scheduled to commence in late March 2026. It is available for purchase through the company’s four dealerships – Ducati New Delhi, Ducati VFM Bengaluru, Ducati Chennai and Ducati Pune.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, “The arrival of the Desmo450 MX is a landmark moment for Ducati in India. We have seen a growing passion for off-road and motocross motorcycling in the country, and we are thrilled to enter this exciting segment with a product that is pure, state-of-the-art Ducati performance. The Desmo450 MX is a testament to our racing heritage and our commitment to providing Indian riders with the most advanced and capable Ducati motorcycles in the world. We are confident that this bike will not only speak to a new generation of motorcyclists but will also expand the Ducatisti community in India into newer territories of motocross adventure.”

Royal Enfield Marks 3rd Anniversary Of Super Meteor 650 With Ride Across India

Royal Enfield - Super Meteor 650

Chennai-based mid-sized motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield organised a ride across India to celebrate the third year anniversary of the Super Meteor 650, which saw participation from around 4,000 riders from more than 100 cities.

The Super Meteor 650 uses a 648cc parallel-twin engine and the chassis is equipped with upside-down front forks to manage stability and handling on highways and in urban environments.

It features 1500 mm of wheelbase, 15.7-litre fuel tank and is available in low and wide seat configuration to meet diverse rider needs.

The Super Meteor 650 features a silhouette with twin exhausts and supports a range of accessories for customisation. The anniversary event served as a focal point for the rider community, emphasising the use of the motorcycle for distance travel and group tours.