Top 5 concepts from Auto Expo 2016 that never made it to production
Even with just 6 months left for the Auto Expo 2020 (7-12 February 2020), excitement levels though seem to be on the lower side this time around. Sinking sales volumes, flawed policy-making and upcoming price hike due to soon to be implemented BS-VI are just the tip of the iceberg which is set to hit the Indian automotive industry. However, the biennial event has all our hopes pinned for a lucky charm.
Auto Expo 2016 was the second time the event was held at the new venue in Greater Noida. While almost 4 years have passed since the event took place, we still have several products which allude us. Here is a list of top 5 two-wheeler concepts we are still waiting to evolve into a production model:
TVS X21: Futuristic take on TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
While the TVS Akula concept was the showstopper for the Chennai based brand at Auto Expo 2016, one product which still had us excited about was the TVS X21 concept. Based on the Apache RTR 200 4V, it flaunts flashy alloy wheels, subtle paint scheme and sci-fi inspired bodywork. However, this was not the first time TVS used the X21 badging. Back in 2014, the Draken concept was also badged as ‘Draken X21’.
At the heart of the X21 is a 212.4 cc four-valve fuel-injected engine. The powerplant has twin oil-cooling chambers and two straight flow air filters for cleaner combustion. The dual barrel exhaust looks rad! X21 is a race-spec machine and boasts a top speed of 148 km/h. A 0-100 km/h sprint is claimed to take just 8.7 seconds! To give you an idea about where things stand for the Apache 200, a 0-100 km/h speed run takes around 12 seconds.
Besides that, the X21 gets special race components like performance kit, race levers and a steering damper. Its instrument console is an all-digital unit. The X21 is suspended over standard telescopic fork up front and a gas-charged monoshock in the rear. Brakes are petal units at both ends. It is shod with 17-inch tyres from Michelin with a 110/70 spec unit in the front and a 150/60 rubber in the rear. Also, the bike sports a drawing of the Madras Motor Race Track on the fuel tank!
Mahindra Mojo Adventure: True blue Royal Enfield Himalayan killer
It took Mahindra almost half a decade to make the Mojo reach production state. The bike sadly failed to set the sales chart blazing. However, all’s not lost for the brand and it can wow us with a production version of this Himalayan killing Mahindra Mojo Adventure concept from Auto Expo 2016.
The concept flaunted knobby off-road tyres with a larger front wheel and a smaller rear unit. This helps it tackle obstacles easily. Adding to the go-anywhere attitude are an upside-down fork with long travel. The rear suspension is a monoshock unit, just like on the adventure model. The front fender has been placed high up, lending the bike a true-blue off-roader styling.
Also included are a custom headlamp bikini fairing, knuckle guards and circular rear-view mirrors. Brakes include petal units at both ends. The bike also gets a single-sided exhaust canister as seen in the recently launched ABS Mojo. The power unit will be the same 294.72 cc DOHC, liquid-cooled engine with fuel injection. In its present form, it can produce 26.30 PS of power and 28 Nm of torque. What the Mojo Adventure misses out on is an engine guard!
Honda CX-02 concept: Indian middleweight in the making
The Honda CX-02 (Concept Cross-02) was called as an 'emerging need of urban Indian youth enjoying global exposure’. Claimed to be designed and developed from scratch by Honda’s Indian R&D team, the CX-02 has an uncanny resemblance to the CB500X retailed in international markets.
At the heart of the Honda CX-02 is a twin-cylinder liquid-cooled mill. Just to give you an idea, the Honda CB 500X, which looks pretty much of a production version of this concept, is powered by a 471 cc parallel-twin. This engine in its present tune produces 48 PS of power and 43 Nm of torque. That’s the same mill which does duty in the CBR500R.
The CX-02 concept from Auto Expo 2016 flaunted LED headlamps, Nissin callipers over discs at both ends and aluminium subframe. Also, the concept flaunted a multicoloured all-digital, switchable traction control and a fat 160-section rear tyre! Besides that, the suspension system consisted of an upside-down fork up front and a monoshock in the rear. For the record, the CB500X gets a conventional telescopic unit with adjustable preload in the front.
Hero XF3R: Please don’t walk the HX250R’s path!
While all eyes were still awaiting the launch details of the HX250R, Hero MotoCorp quietly showed what their future might be! The Hero XF3R was meant to arrest your attention with its stylish body and boasted a ‘mid-segment high-performance engine’. Oh, it also featured a single-sided swingarm (How cool is that?)!
Powering the XF3R was a 300 cc+ single-cylinder mill which traces its origins from the 200R. Output figures were not revealed but the fuel-injected engine was said to have Dual Map technology which to possible riding modes (even the HX250R boasted of dual riding modes). Fuel tank extensions had functional air scoops with integrated indicators. The bike was suspended over an upside-down telescopic fork in the front and a monoshock in the rear.
The Hero XF3R from Auto Expo 2016 bore an awkwardly styled upswept, dual barrel exhaust canister. Besides that, the concept was shod with Pirelli Sport Demon tyres. Braking duties included discs at both ends.
Also Read: Top 5 Hero concept models that never made it to production
TVS ENTORQ210: A scooter with highway capabilities from Auto Expo 2016
This sparkling gem in TVS’ Auto Expo 2016 line-up was quite an offbeat one. After all, how many scooters in India do you know which have a top speed of 120 km/h (claimed)? Add to that, a futuristic look which seems straight out of a George Lucas and Christopher Nolan flick!
At the heart of the TVS ENTORQ210 is an all-aluminium 212.5 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine, mated to an advanced Variomatic transmission. The scooter is based on a lightweight high-grade steel chassis and a suspension system that consists of an upside-down fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. The ENTORQ210 is advertised to have a motorcycle-like ride quality and the comfort of a scooter. The braking system has roto-pedal dual brake discs with ABS.
Also included is a Start/Stop Push button start, large under-seat storage (how large? we don’t know), TFT speedometer console etc. Besides that, the ENTORQ210 gets smartphone connectivity, something we have already seen in the TVS NTorq.
