Top 5 Two-wheeler Concepts That Made It To Production

Two-wheeler concepts have always been a source of excitement and innovation in the automotive industry. Some of these concepts not only captured the imagination of the public but also made their way into the real world, becoming popular choices for commuters and enthusiasts alike.

TVS Akula to Apache RR 310:

TVS unveiled the Akula concept at Auto Expo 2016. Akula, which means "shark" in Russian, was designed to be a high-performance motorcycle with aggressive styling and a sporty riding position. The concept was well received and eventually made its way into production as the Apache RR310.

The RR310 did have some setbacks in terms of engine refinement but TVS has ironed out most of the issues with constant updates over the years. The latest iteration of the RR 310 BTO comes with a fully adjustable suspension at both ends, a new set of clip-on handlebars, revised rearset footpegs, revised geometry of the muffler and a new exhaust. More on the bike here.

Hero XPulse to Hero XPulse 200 

While the concept was first shown at EICMA 2017, just a couple of months later, Hero brought the XPulse concept to Auto Expo. And a year later, the production bike was born. It’s Hero’s second go at the dual-sport segment after the Impulse. What we love about the production bike is its accessibility. 

It’s the cheapest ADV money can buy in India. A price of just Rs 1.38 lakh gets you a proper adventure tourer with long travel suspension, dual-purpose tyres, and a rugged, adventure-style design. Throw in an additional Rs 14,000 and you get the Rally Edition with fully-adjustable longer travel suspension components, handlebar risers, a large side stand, special Hero MotoSports Rally team livery and a special C S Santosh signed sticker on the fuel tank. Head here for more details.

Bajaj Pulsar CS400 to Dominar 400 

The Bajaj Pulsar CS400 concept was one of the biggest shockers at Auto Expo 2014. It took everyone by surprise. The power cruiser with its bold and aggressive design eventually made it to production as the Dominar 400. Initial sales for the bike weren’t great but have improved with time thanks to Bajaj’s efforts and comprehensive updates to the engine and underpinnings.

The addition of a USD fork, a larger disc with a radially mounted calliper and a retuned engine made a world of a difference. But the biggest update was the engine. We gauged the updates in the real world and here’s what we thought of it. 

Tork T6X to Kratos

The Tork T6X was unveiled at Auto Expo 2016. It was designed to be a high-performance electric motorcycle with a sporty riding position and a range of 100 kilometres. Its production guise is the Kratos. The bike is offered in two variants: standard and ‘R’ priced at Rs 1,32,499 and Rs 1,47,499, respectively. 

Tork uses its in-house developed axial flux motor for the Kratos with claimed efficiency of 96 per cent. This motor delivers 7.5kW of peak power and 28Nm. It’s paired with a 4kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a claimed real-world range of 120km. The claimed charging time for both models is four to five hours. Here’s how it performed in the real world. 

TVS Graphite to NTorq

TVS took the wraps off the Graphite at Auto Expo 2014. This futuristic-looking scooter’s aggressive styling was inspired by a stealth aircraft, said TVS. When spy shots of a new TVS scooter followed, it was clear that it would feature an edgy design, with the front apron sharing a resemblance to the Graphite. TVS finally launched the production version of the scooter, the NTorq 125, back in 2018. 

The latest version of the NTorq gets an XT variant, featuring a new industry-first hybrid split TFT and LCD digital instrument cluster, start-stop tech with a silent starter, lap timer, top speed indicator, and a 0-60kmph timer. It also gets a SmartXtalk voice assistant that can be used to control modes, screen brightness, music control and navigation. Here’s what else it has to offer. 

Seeing new and innovative designs come to life is always exciting, and these examples suggest that there is a lot of potential for future two-wheelers.