TVS Motor launches Apache RTR 200 and Victor

On January 7, Autocar Professional  broke the news of TVS Motor Co’s two new motorcycle launches. Today, the Chennai-based manufacturer launched its all-new 197.8cc Apache RTR 200  and the 110cc Victor motorcycles in Chennai today.

While the Apache RTR 200, priced at Rs. 89990 (ex-showroom, Delhi) will fall in the premium bike market, the reborn 110cc Victor, with a price tag of Rs. 49490, is aimed at the executive bike segment. The company’s statement says the two bikes are “poised to be game-changers in their segments. Both products set the benchmark even higher with emphatic design language, leading technology and an arresting interplay of attractive graphics.”

Unveiling the new motorcycles, Venu Srinivasan, chairman of TVS Motor Company, said: “TVS Motor is defined by its state-of-the-art engineering, excellence in technology and superior quality of products. Our commitment to our customers is our primary focus. This launch is yet another reiteration of the TVS promise, to deliver high quality, customer-centric products.”

Meanwhile, KN Radhakrishnan, president and CEO of TVS Motor Co, said: “The success of the Victor, which was first launched in 2002, laid the foundation for TVS in India. We believe that both the Apache RTR 200 and Victor are world-class products as they take a big step forward in terms of performance with ride and handling so as to deliver complete rider control and comfort. They complement our existing product portfolio and have strong potential in their respective segments.”

TVS Victor reborn
The new Victor comes 14 years after the first Victor, a commuter motorcycle that had a great run and the first product developed by TVS on its own after its split with Suzuki Motor Corp. In its heyday in 2002, it clocked sales of over 40,000 units a month.

The new Victor, billed as “an ideal combination of modern styling, superior engine performance and class-leading comfort” is powered by a refined three-valve EcoThrust engine which has been tuned to deliver optimum power and fuel economy. An electric start fires up the four-speed powertrain to develop 9.46bhp at 8000rpm with a torque of 9.4 Nm at 6000rpm.

Targeted at riders looking for comfort, safety and handling, the new Victor is claimed to deliver mileage of 76kpl with its 8-litre fuel tank. The motorcycle has a wheelbase of 1260mm with a ground clearance of 175mm. The Victor comes in both disc and drum brake versions and is built on a single-cradle, tubular frame.

A telescopic, oil-damped, front suspension and five-step adjustable hydraulic series spring suspension at the rear ensure smooth ride and handling. The bike has new mirrors and instrument panel sitting on a bright 55-watt headlight.

TVS Apache RTR 200
The Apache RTR 200 is TVS’ most powerful motorcycle yet. The premium machine, which thinks it’s a racing machine, is powered by an advanced four-valve racing O3C, oil-cooled, over-square, five-speed engine equipped with balancer shaft mechanism and is programmed to develop 20.2bhp at 8500rpm with torque of 18.1 Nm at 7000rpm. The motorcycle also comes with an EFI variant and will be available in Indian and international markets.

For the first time in the 200cc segment, TVS has introduced an oil-cooled combustion chamber with ram air assist, which enables the bike to hit a top speed of 128kph and a 0-60kph time of 3.9 seconds, making it one of the fastest accelerating bikes in its segment.

According to the company, the racing origin split construction double cradle chassis with radically improved torsional and lateral stiffness aid its exceptional control and manoeuverability. The bike’s high flow, double-barrel exhaust system not only ensures smooth outflow of exhaust but also adds to the aesthetics.

Enhancing the performance and ride capabilities is a custom-made Monoshock suspension. It also has a fully digital race diagnostic speedometer with 0-60kph and fastest lap time display. The bike is shod with high grip, wide aspect ratio, Remora tubeless tyres. Braking duties on the Apache RTR 200 are handled by petal discs and an advanced double-channel ABS with rear liftoff protection.