BMW Motorrad To Start Operations In India By October 2016

CEO Stefan Schaller confirmed that BMW Motorrad will begin its operations in India from October 2016. We can also expect the launch of the BMW G 310 R around the same time.

BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle-manufacturing arm of Bavarian Motor Works, is all set to start operations in India by October this year. Currently, the company is selling motorcycles through some distributors like Navnit Motors in Maharashtra and Karnataka, and Deutsche Motoren in Delhi and NCR. BMW Motorrad had also shown its presence at the 2016 Auto Expo and it was speculated that the company will announce its official presence in India at the event. However, the CEO for BMW Motorrad, Stefan Schaller, has now confirmed that at the ongoing Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

In the first phase, the company could set up its dealerships in some major metro cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and others. It is also expected to launch its newly introduced entry-level motorcycle - the BMW G 310 R around the same time. The motorcycle will be manufactured at the TVS Motor plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, and that can help the company to keep the price competitive for this new entrant in the market.

The BMW G 310 R was also showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo along with other updated products and the bike has been undergoing testing in the country since then. It is a naked sport-styled motorcycle with an all-new powertrain, lowest in capacity among all the current BMW motorcycles.

The streetfighter is powered by a 313cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which is mated to a six-speed gearbox. Using fuel injection, it churns out 33.5bhp at 9,500rpm and delivers a peak torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm. The bike features front and rear disc brakes, wide tyres, USD front forks, rear monoshock suspension, and many other premium features. Expected to be priced around Rs. 2.5 lakh in India, the BMW G 310 R can be a strong competitor against the likes of the KTM 390 Duke, Kawasaki Z250, Mahindra Mojo and the Benelli TNT 300.