TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a leading two- and three-wheeler manufacturer has launched a new variant for its popular commuter offering – the TVS Raider iGO – at INR 98,389 (ex-showroom Delhi). The launch also is part of the brands celebration for surpassing one million sales milestone. 

The company states that the TVS Raider is the most awarded and tech-loaded 125cc motorcycle, and the newly launched TVS Raider iGO now comes with the ‘boost mode’, a category-first feature enabled by iGO Assist technology.

The variant features a stunning new Nardo Grey colour complemented by red alloys, along with an upgraded reverse LCD Connected cluster packed with over 85 connected features. This combination enhances the motorcycle’s sporty and premium appeal, ensuring exciting,  safe and connected ride.

The TVS Raider equipped with iGO Assist delivers 11.75Nm@6000rpm torque. The iGO assist also enables rider with an acceleration from zero to 60 kmph in just 5.8 seconds with its first-in-segment feature, the boost mode. In addition, there is a claimed 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice-President - Head Commuter Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company said, "TVS Raider just got even more Wicked. The segment first Boost mode delivers additional 0.55 Nm of torque and 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. Our GenZ riders care most about the acceleration and mileage and the new TVS Raider delivers on both. Also, the snazzy Nardo grey colour, paired with red alloys will continue to set apart the style quotient of our riders. It’s this unrelenting focus on delighting our riders that has ensured that the TVS Raider has already surpassed a million count in the shortest period. This kind of brand love is humbling and energising.”

The new variant comes equipped with TVS SmartXonnect technology, featuring a revamped reverse LCD Cluster with more than 85 Bluetooth connected features like voice assist, turn-by-turn navigation, ride reports and multiple riding modes.

TVS Raider is coupled to an advanced 124.8cc air and oil-cooled 3V engine, churning out a maximum power of 8.37kW@7500 rpm with segment first multiple ride modes. The dynamic comfort and handling can be attributed to the gas-charged five-step adjustable mono-shock suspension, low friction front suspension and split seat, five-speed gearbox and 17-inch alloy wheels

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ultraviolette Automotive has introduced the X47 Venom, a substantially upgraded successor to the X47 launched a year ago. Featuring a new 100V electrical architecture, improved performance, greater range, faster charging and enhanced safety, the motorcycle also marks the first production application of a technology platform intended to support the company’s expanding product portfolio.

Introduced on 22 October 2026, the X47 Venom delivers a claimed IDC range of 343 km, peak power of 30 kW (40 hp), wheel torque of 550 Nm and a top speed of 155 kmph. It accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds and weighs 180 kg, up to 20 kg less than its predecessor. The motorcycle supports 12 kW DC fast charging, which the company describes as a first for an electric two-wheeler in India.

Priced at an introductory INR 265,000 for the first 5,000 customers, deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2026. A European launch is planned for 3 November at EICMA in Milan.

For the EV maker, the Venom represents more than a model upgrade. It introduces the VX-100, a 100V architecture designed to underpin its next generation of electric two-wheelers.

“The X47 Venom reflects our approach to engineering the entire motorcycle as one integrated system,” says Niraj Rajmohan, CTO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette Automotive.

“Each subsystem has been developed in conjunction with the others to improve power density, optimise packaging and reduce weight. With 12 kW DC fast charging and multi-tiered electro-mechanical protection, including a pyro-fuse, we have advanced performance, convenience and safety together,” he said,

VX-100 to drive product expansion

Ultraviolette Automotive intends to deploy the VX-100 architecture across its upcoming portfolio, allowing technology developed for one vehicle to be adapted for others rather than requiring a separate electrical platform for every model.

“Over the next one year, you’ll see four new products coming with the same VX-100,” says Rajmohan.

The Tesseract electric scooter and Shockwave motorcycle are among the products identified for the next phase. The company is also working on the F77, although no timeline for an updated version has been disclosed.

The X47 was selected as the first application partly because it accounts for around 90 percent of Ultraviolette Automotive’s volumes, according to Rajmohan. Its crossover positioning also allows it to target riders across sports, adventure and street-motorcycle segments.

The common architecture is designed to accommodate different battery capacities, vehicle configurations and power levels. This modularity could help spread engineering costs across a wider portfolio and accelerate product development.

Till date, Ultraviolette Automotive has invested more than INR 5 billion in research and development, Rajmohan says. Its development process involves validating individual subsystems before integrating them into a complete vehicle.

“Just because a subsystem is ready doesn’t mean it is good enough to put on a vehicle, because it’s a safety-critical system,” he says.

The company’s test programme involves around 20 riders covering approximately 150–200 km a day, with motorcycles fast-charged between rides. The aim is to assess components under demanding conditions and validate the complete vehicle, including interactions between systems.

Powertrain and safety upgrades

The VX-100 combines a new battery system, a lighter motor and a redesigned motor control unit to improve performance, efficiency and packaging.

The SRB-11 battery is designed to deliver up to 20 percent higher energy density and twice the cooling performance. An optimised thermal path is intended to dissipate heat up to 50 percent faster, while a cast-aluminium enclosure provides structural protection.

Safety provisions include a battery management system monitoring cell voltage, temperature and current, alongside cell-level fuses. A pyro-fuse is designed to isolate the circuit within microseconds when a critical fault is detected. The battery pack carries an IP67 rating for protection against dust and water immersion.

The UV LIGHTFURY motor delivers 30 kW and uses soft magnetic composites to reduce mass and energy losses. Meanwhile, the new motor control unit is, according to the company, twice as compact as its predecessor and offers three times the power density.

The 12 kW DC fast-charging system incorporates safeguards against overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, excessive temperature and short circuits.

Charging access remains critical to longer-distance electric motorcycle use. Ultraviolette Automotive has developed its Supernova DC charging network to address gaps at selected highway locations, while working with external providers, including Bolt.Earth.

Rajmohan says the company combines targeted infrastructure investment with access to third-party networks, rather than relying exclusively on proprietary chargers.

Extending rider assistance technology

The X47 Venom features Ultraviolette Automotive’s UV Hypersense radar system, which uses a 77 GHz rear radar with a claimed range of up to 200 metres. Designed to operate at lean angles of up to 20 degrees, it supports blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, overtake alerts and rear-collision warnings.

Other features include a 7-inch TFT touchscreen, integrated front and rear dashcams, Mappls navigation, cruise control and park assist with a rear-camera feed. Connected functions under the VIOLETTE AI package include movement, fall and towing alerts, remote lockdown and crash alerts.

The company has also introduced B-MAX, a reusable rider-safety vest designed to protect the collar, back, chest, sides and hips. Ultraviolette Automotive claims 86 percent force attenuation and says the vest exceeds CE safety standards, with reuse possible up to five times, subject to its condition and intended use.

Beyond two-wheelers, the company has received enquiries from other industries interested in its technology, including motor controllers for drones. However, its immediate focus remains on electric motorcycles and scooters.

“We’re not thinking about any other companies for the purposes of commercialising the technology right now,” says Rajmohan, adding that complementary applications could be explored when the company has the capacity to support them.

Manufacturing for anticipated demand

Ultraviolette Automotive is expanding production capacity alongside its product pipeline. At its existing facility, it has added another vehicle assembly line and scaled up battery production. Rajmohan estimates the plant’s maximum annual capacity at approximately 50,000–60,000 units.

A new facility in Hosur is planned with the potential to scale to around 500,000 units annually, with the first phase expected to provide capacity for 250,000 units. Both plants will remain operational, offering flexibility to manufacture different vehicle types and battery packs.

The expansion reflects the company’s intention to prepare for future demand rather than wait until existing capacity becomes a constraint.

Rajmohan said monthly volumes had been approaching 1,000 units at the time of the interaction. Ultraviolette Automotive claims it has witnessed tens of thousands of bookings for the Shockwave and nearly 80,000 for the Tesseract. These are company-reported bookings, not delivered volumes and conversion into sales will be important to capacity utilisation.

The executive believes electric motorcycles could follow a growth trajectory similar to electric scooters, whose market penetration has increased as consumer acceptance and product availability have improved. He sees the next 36 months as potentially significant for electric motorcycles, although adoption will depend on affordability, infrastructure and consumer confidence.

Expanding the retail and service network

Ultraviolette Automotive had around 55 active locations and was targeting approximately 100 showrooms by the end of 2026 or during the first quarter of 2027. Rajmohan says the company has received more than 2,000 dealership applications but is screening prospective partners for automotive experience and service capability.

The strategy is to establish aftersales support before expanding sales in new markets. Rajmohan cites a partner in Whitefield, Bengaluru, which he says services around 3,000 vehicles a month and has experience as a Royal Enfield service partner.

Around 90 percent of Ultraviolette Automotive’s volumes come from India, with the remainder from international markets, according to Rajmohan. As the company expands geographically, service quality and repair capability will be important for vehicles combining batteries, electronics, radar and connected systems.

The company also plans to support existing products as it introduces the VX-100. Rajmohan says support for both the existing architecture and the new platform, including in Europe, is planned for more than 10 years.

Turning engineering into sustainable growth

Ultraviolette Automotive’s next phase will depend on converting its technology investments into customer acceptance, reliable deliveries and sustainable volumes. Rajmohan believes electric motorcycles can offer competitive ownership economics against internal-combustion alternatives, but identifies brand trust, longevity and resale value as continuing consumer concerns. The company points to battery warranty coverage of up to eight years as one way to address these issues.

Supply-chain costs present another challenge. Rajmohan acknowledges that increases in semiconductor and memory prices cannot simply be passed on to customers. Ultraviolette Automotive is working with suppliers and partners, including Qualcomm and TDK, while exploring alternative components and sourcing options.

The X47 Venom brings together the company’s priorities: improved performance, faster charging and additional safety technology, supported by an architecture intended to serve future products. Execution will be as important as engineering, particularly as manufacturing capacity and the retail network expand.

As CEO and Co-Founder Narayan Subramaniam said in the launch announcement, the VX-100 is intended to establish “a technology foundation for a new generation of products across segments and markets”.

The platform’s success will ultimately depend on how effectively Ultraviolette Automotive translates that foundation into competitive products, customer confidence and sustained growth.

Piaggio Vehicles-owned motorcycle brand Aprilia has introduced the RS 660 Phillip Island Tribute, a limited-edition motorcycle produced to mark its victory record at the Australian circuit.

The vehicle will be on display at the EICMA exhibition in Milan from 5 to 8 November. The special edition commemorates Aprilia's 10 Grand Prix victories at Phillip Island, including the 2025 MotoGP win by Raúl Fernández on the RS-GP, which marked the manufacturer's 300th World Championship victory. The release coincides with the circuit's departure from the MotoGP calendar after 2027.

The motorcycle features a white, green and red livery incorporating the Phillip Island Circuit logo, track layout and chequered flag graphics on the side panels. The fuel tank displays a badge detailing Aprilia's victory count at the track, while the individual serial number is engraved on the steering head plate. The pillion seat cover is included as standard equipment.

Technically based on the standard RS 660, the motorcycle is powered by a front-mounted 660 cc parallel-twin engine delivering 105 horsepower at 10,400 rpm and 70 Nm of torque at 8,400 rpm, with a 35 kW restricted variant also available.

The engine acts as a load-bearing element within an aluminium frame. Electronics include a six-axis inertial platform managing traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, cornering ABS, launch control, cruise control, adjustable engine mapping and a bidirectional quickshifter.

Italian superbike maker Ducati has introduced the Formula 73 in India, a limited-series motorcycle restricted to 873 numbered units globally at INR 2 million (ex-showroom).

Interestingly, the entire allocation reserved for the Indian market has sold out.

The Formula 73 pays tribute to the 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo, incorporating a silver and aqua green livery, a vertical gold stripe on the fuel tank, clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors, a tapered tail, and billet aluminium components.

It is powered by an air-cooled 803 cc Desmodue L-twin engine with desmodromic distribution, the vehicle delivers 73 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 65.2 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. The powertrain is paired with a Termignoni silencer and a Ride-by-Wire throttle system. The chassis utilises a steel trellis frame finished in aqua green, 17-inch spoked wheels fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres and an electronic package featuring cornering braking systems, traction control, directional quick-shifting and dual riding modes.

Bipul Chandra, MD, Ducati India, said, "The Formula 73 is a rolling masterpiece that pays homage to one of the most significant motorcycles in our history, the 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo. We are incredibly proud to secure a highly exclusive allocation of these limited-edition motorcycles for our passionate Ducatisti in India. With only 873 units produced globally, the arrival of the Formula 73 offers a rare opportunity for Indian collectors to own a piece of timeless Italian heritage seamlessly blended with modern Ducati performance."

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has signed a strategic partnership with ERMAR Sociedad Anónima, operating as Distrito Moto, to manage its sales and service network across Guatemala.

The partnership links Hero MotoCorp's vehicle manufacturing with ERMAR's retail operations in Central America. The network spans over 220 distribution points, incorporating more than 60 Distrito Moto sales locations and over 140 Tecno Fácil outlets across the country.

The operations provide vehicle distribution, replacement parts, service support and customer financing through Solvensa. Hero MotoCorp will provide a five-year or 60,000-kilometre warranty across its product line, which includes plans to introduce models such as the Hunk 250R, Xpulse 210, Hunk 150 Xtec ABS and Xoom 125.

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice-President of Global Business, Global Product Planning and Global Market Insights, Hero MotoCorp, said, "Guatemala is a strategic market where over 100,000 customers have placed their trust in Hero. Our partnership with Distrito Moto, backed by the strength of ILP Group and Distelsa, reinforces our long-term commitment to these riders and our growth ambitions in Latin America. With a global legacy of engineering excellence, world-class products and a proven track record of delivering quality, reliability and customer-centric experiences, Hero is well positioned to create greater value for riders in Guatemala. With the planned introduction of the Hunk 250R, Xpulse 210, Hunk 150 Xtec ABS and Xoom 125, we look forward to meeting the evolving aspirations of Guatemalan customers."

Javier Lainez, Commercial Head, Distrito Moto, said, "Our ambition is to make Hero ownership accessible and rewarding for more Guatemalans. Through competitive pricing, financing options from Solvensa and dedicated customer support, we want riders to feel confident at every step - from choosing their motorcycle to keeping it running reliably."