Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp, has taken the lead position at the ongoing Rallye du Maroc 2024 with an impressive performance in Stage 1. Hero team pilot Ross Branch emerged as the fastest rider of the stage.

Riders Ross Branch, Sebastian Buhler and Nacho Cornejo, who were competing in the premier Rally GP Class, finished the first stage in 1st, 6th and 8th place, respectively. In the overall Rally GP Class standings, they are currently ranked 1st, 6th and 9th. Branch had the advantage of starting 11th for Stage 1 after placing second in the Prologue, which he capitalised by finishing first by a 48-second cushion over his closest rival. Cornejo started the stage today and made a determined effort to go cautiously across the incredibly challenging terrain, reaching the finish line without suffering any significant errors.

The first complete Stage of the 2024 edition included 180 km of timed sections and an additional 200 km of liaisons. The event organisers had to make last-minute changes to the race strategy yesterday when floods caused delays in the cars' arrival at the bivouac in Zagora. Participants in Stage 1 were dispatched on the Stage 2 course, although with a shorter mileage and later start times. However, this circuit around Zagora turned out to be one of the most difficult stages that Maroc has experienced recently. On rocky, uneven paths badly harmed by the rains, the day began with dangerous pathways that lay ahead, with much of the original routes swept away. In the last stretch, where visible, rolling trails guided the way to the finish line, the riders finally found some solace after risking their journey across narrow dunes.

In Stage 2, the participants will return to the original course planned for Stage 1. This second loop around Zagora will be one of the longest specialities in this year, spanning 314 km in the Sahara and an additional 158 kilometres in road sections.

Rallye du Maroc is the fifth and final round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2024. Since the second race of this season, Branch has held the top place in the standings chart, and this impressive perfoemance in the Maroc Rally has increased his chances of winning the World Championship title.

Branch said, "I’m happy to have finished Stage 1 with a good result. It was a really tough one – definitely one of the most challenging stages I’ve ever ridden at Rallye Du Maroc! The tracks were really beaten up and washed away from yesterday’s rains, but I managed to pull through. Nacho did an amazing job opening the track; I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been for him. Opening the Stage tomorrow will be a mammoth task, but we’re pushing forward with confidence."

Buhler said, "It was a very difficult Stage – perhaps one of the hardest I’ve ever ridden here at Maroc. The terrain was full of rocks and rivers, making it challenging to manoeuvre. I tried to maintain a good pace, but it wasn’t easy – every time I went full on the gas, I seemed to be hitting something. I’m glad to have finished well, and I hope tomorrow will be a bit smoother."

Cornejo said, "Stage 1 is complete, and it was very rough, thanks to the rains from yesterday. I did my best opening the Stage, and lost a few minutes here and there. But overall, I’m happy with my focus and navigation. Tomorrow is a new day, so we’ll keep pushing and doing our best – one day at a time."

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has released a television commercial for the TVS Ntorq 150 scooter.

The campaign focuses on the vehicle's performance and racing heritage, targeting younger demographics. The Ntorq 150 is the first 150cc scooter in India to feature race and street riding modes, alongside traction control and ABS.

The scooter has a claimed acceleration of zero to 60 kmph in 6.3 seconds. Technical specifications include Bluetooth connectivity and digital instrumentation. The design incorporates racing-derived engineering and aerodynamics, building on the brand's history in track competition. This model follows the introduction of the Ntorq 125 in 2018 and subsequent collaborations, such as with Marvel.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice-President – Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Ntorq has grown into an iconic brand for the youth, built on performance, attitude and a deep emotional connect with a new generation of riders. Our scooters have dominated racetracks for years, a racing legacy that gave birth to the TVS Ntorq 125. With the all-new TVS Ntorq 150, this pedigree is taken several notches higher. The new TVC captures this ‘Hyper’ philosophy, where cutting-edge engineering, racing DNA and an always-on competitive spirit come together to make every ride feel like a personal race.”

Ashwin Parthiban, Creative Consultant, Dentsu Creative, said, “Our idea was to visually translate the emotion of riding the TVS Ntorq 150, the rush, the aggression and the sense of control, into a cinematic experience. The film blurs the line between the racetrack and the street, making every ride feel hyper, energetic and exhilarating. It’s not just about showcasing features; it’s about making the viewer feel the ride.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Simple Energy has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the Simple One Gen 2, Simple OneS Gen 2 and Simple Ultra range of e-scooters.

The Simple Ultra features a 6.5 kWh battery, the largest currently fitted on a scooter in India, providing a claimed IDC range of 400 km. It can reach a claimed top speed of 115 kmph and accelerates from zero to 40 kmph in 2.77 seconds.

The Simple One Gen 2 is available in two variants. The 4.5 kWh model offers a range of 236 km with prices starting at INR 169,999, while the 5 kWh version provides a range of 265 km starting at INR 177,999. Both variants include six riding modes and a peak motor power of 8.8 kW. The Simple OneS Gen 2, priced at INR 149,999, features a 3.7 kWh battery and a range of 190 km. These models are available at over 61 showrooms and through e-commerce platform Amazon and Flipkart.

Technological updates across the Gen 2 range include traction control, four-level regenerative braking and cruise control. The vehicles feature a 7-inch touchscreen dashboard with 5G connectivity, Bluetooth and Android 12 integration. Hardware adjustments have reduced the kerb weight to 129 kg for the Simple One and 118 kg for the OneS, while underseat storage has increased to 35 litres.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “At Simple Energy, we engineer with intent. Our Gen 2 portfolio reflects a deliberate, innovation-first approach - offering differentiated products across range and performance needs, all built for real-world reliability. Indian commuters are not one-size-fits-all, and a growing segment clearly demands extreme range and performance without compromise. Simple Ultra is built precisely for that customer. Backed by over four years of in-house R&D, it delivers an industry-first 400 km IDC range, setting a new benchmark for electric two-wheelers in India. With a portfolio designed to meet diverse rider needs from day one, we’re not just launching scooters—we’re delivering confidence, freedom, and truly anxiety-free electric mobility.”

Furthermore, Simple Energy has also introduced a lifetime warranty on the motor and battery across its vehicle lineup. The company aims to expand its network to 150 dealerships and 200 service centres by March 2026. Financially, the firm is targeting an IPO in the second or third quarter of FY2027 to raise approximately USD 350 million, following its previous capital raises totalling USD 51 million from private investors and family offices.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has reported its wholesales of 122,366 units for December 2025, which marks a 26 percent increase compared to the 96,804 units sold during the same month in 2024.

Interestingly, the company said its domestic sales for the period grew by 24 percent to reach 97,823 units, while exports grew by 37 percent to 24,543 units.

The company's spare parts division recorded its highest monthly revenue to date, reaching INR 961 million, up 16 percent YoY. During December, SMIPL held customer engagement events including a mileage contest for the Suzuki Access in West Bengal and Haryana, and a maintenance program for the GIXXER series in Cochin, Chennai and Bengaluru. These initiatives involved test rides and sessions led by influencers to connect with the local rider community.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “We are grateful to our customers for choosing Suzuki and making December a strong finish to the year. The 26 percent growth underscores their trust in Suzuki’s products and services. As we move into the new year, we will continue to enhance experience-led sales & after-sales services, expanding our network to reach closer to customers while focusing on engagement programs that strengthen our relationship with them. Reaffirming Suzuki’s brand promise of ‘By Your Side,’ we remain dedicated to customer satisfaction, partner success and employee engagement.”

At present, Suzuki Motorcycle India operates a manufacturing plant in Gurugram, Haryana, which has an annual production capacity of 1.3 million units. The facility produces 125cc scooters, motorcycles of 150cc and above and larger capacity bikes.

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Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati India has launched the Panigale V4 R at INR 8.49 million (ex-showroom). The motorcycle serves as the technical base for the World Superbike Championship models and is produced in a numbered series with the serial number displayed on the steering plate.

The Panigale V4 R is powered by a 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine capable of 16,500 rpm. It produces 218 hp in standard configuration, increasing to 235 hp with a racing exhaust and 239 hp when used with specific performance oil. The engine incorporates lighter pistons and a crankshaft with increased inertia, technologies developed from MotoGP. The gearbox features a racing layout where neutral is positioned below first gear to prevent accidental engagement during braking.

The chassis includes a front frame and a symmetrical swingarm designed for use with slick tyres. Aerodynamic updates include corner sidepods and larger wings that increase downforce by 25 percent compared to the previous model. The electronics suite uses an algorithm called Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) to manage engine braking, traction control and wheelie control. A 6.9-inch TFT dashboard provides a visual representation of estimated tyre grip.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, “We are immensely proud to introduce the Panigale V4 R to the Indian market. This motorcycle is a true testament to Ducati's racing soul and sporting DNA, bringing technology and performance from MotoGP and WorldSBK directly to the streets. The Desmosedici Stradale R engine, the advanced aerodynamics, and the racing-derived electronics are engineered for one purpose: to offer unparalleled performance on the track. For the discerning Indian enthusiast who demands the absolute best, the Panigale V4 R is not just a motorcycle; it's an experience of what it feels like to ride a true racing machine.”

The motorcycle is available in the Ducati Red livery across all dealerships in India. Standard equipment includes Ohlins suspension, Brembo Hypure calipers and Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 tyres.

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