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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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has rolled out its 10 millionth two-wheeler from its Gurugram plant. The milestone vehicle, a Suzuki Access Ride Connect Edition, was produced in 2026, marking a doubling of the company’s total production volume in six years.

The Japanese automaker commenced operations in 2006 and reached its first 5 million units in 2020. The subsequent 5 million units were produced between 2020 and 2026, driven by an expanded product line-up and rising demand.

The Suzuki Access 125 has been a primary driver of this growth, establishing the 125cc scooter segment in India. The current product range includes the Burgman and Avenis scooters, the Gixxer motorcycle series, the V-Strom SX and high-capacity motorcycles such as the GSX-8R, V-Strom 800 DE and the Hayabusa.

The company currently operates a network of over 1,200 touchpoints across India and exports vehicles to more than 60 international markets. To meet future demand, Suzuki Motorcycle India has commenced development of a second manufacturing facility at Kharkhoda, Haryana.

Suzuki Motorcycle India is adopting a multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality. This includes the introduction of the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel, an E85 fuel-compliant motorcycle, and an entry into the electric segment with the Suzuki e-Access.

Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Reaching the 10 million production mark is a significant achievement for all of us at SMIPL. This has been made possible by the trust and support of our customers, dealer partners, suppliers, and employees, who have stood with us throughout this journey. By expanding our product portfolio, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and focusing on quality and reliability, we have steadily scaled our operations in India. Going ahead, we are further expanding our production capacity, strengthening our sales and service network and deepening customer experience through engaging activities across the country. True to our promise of standing ‘By Your Side’, we continue to stand ‘By Your Side’ - customers, dealer partners, suppliers, and employees at every stage.”

To mark the milestone, SMIPL is offering limited-period retail finance benefits, including zero processing fees and EMI waivers. Existing customers can access a 10-point vehicle check-up and discounts on labour and accessories at Suzuki touchpoints.

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Bajaj Auto-owned Austrian motorcycle brand KTM has launched the RC 160 at INR 185,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and is available at dealerships nationwide.

The RC 160 is designed for riders seeking track-focused performance in the entry-level segment. It features a trellis frame with a full-faired design and follows the styling of the existing RC lineup.

The motorcycle is equipped with a 164.2 cc, liquid-cooled SOHC engine that delivers 19 PS at 9500 rpm and 15.5 Nm of torque at 7500 rpm. The engine features a 10,200 rpm redline and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox including an assist and slipper clutch. The reported top speed is 118 kmph; it features inverted 37mm front forks and a rear monoshock. In terms of braking, it uses 320 mm front and 230 mm rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. It gets 110/70-17 front and 140/60 R17 rear tubeless tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels. The RC 160 features a 13.75-litre metal tank.

The motorcycle gets an all-LED lighting system, including the headlamp, tail-lamp and indicators. The electronic suite includes a CAN-enabled system, electronic fuel injection and a Supermoto mode for the ABS. A TA variant is also available, which provides navigation support via the LCD instrument cluster.

Manik Nangia, President, Probiking, Bajaj Auto, said, “With the new RC 160, we are bringing that same track-bred character to a wider audience. It’s a motorcycle that captures the thrill of factory racing and makes it accessible to every young rider who dreams of speed, control, and confidence on two wheels. The RC 160 is not just an entry point; it’s the first step into the exhilarating world of KTM performance.”

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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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