After acquiring heritage motorcycle brands like the BSA and Jawa, Mahindra successfully managed to buy stake in France’s Peugeot Motorcycles. In 2015, Mahindra revealed to the world that they had bought 51% stake in Peugeot Motorcycles at a cost of $16.5 million (about Rs 121 crores as per today’s conversion rates). The remaining stake is with PSA Group of France – the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall.
About three years after taking over controlling stake, Mahindra Peugeot Motorcycles have now revealed their first two concepts at the ongoing Paris Motor Show. The two motorcycles are P2x Roadster and P2x Cafe Racer.
Features on offer with the Mahindra Peugeot P2x Roadster and Cafe Racer are circular LED headlamps, USD forks borrowed from Mojo, petal discs, alloys on the Cafe Racer and spoke wheels on the roadster, LED tail lamps, 5 inch digital instrument panel with bluetooth smartphone connectivity, GPS navigation, twin shock absorbers at the rear, dual ABS, etc.
The P2x twins are powered by a 300 cc single cylinder engine. This engine is probably sourced from the Mojo. Mahindra has not revealed the power figures, neither have they confirmed that it is based on Mojo. But seeing at the images of the concept bikes, it is clear that the two bikes have a lot in common with the Mojo. The 300cc engine on board the Mojo delivers 27 hp and 30 Nm via 6 speed transmission.
On board the P2x twins, the engine has been completely reworked by the Mahindra Racing Team. Expect the engine to be more peppy in performance, even deliver more power. The engine is compliant with Euro 5 standards, and when need comes, can be modified to meet Euro 6 or BS 6 standards of India. Both these motorcycles will also be offered in 125 cc option. The 125cc P2x variants will be only for Europe’s A1 license holders.
Expect these motorcycles to be made in India and exported to the world. This will help the company price the motorcycle lower. A similar strategy has been used by Bajaj – KTM, TVS – BMW for some of their products. Once launched, the Mahindra Peugeot 300 cc motorcycles could take on the likes of KTM Duke 390, BMW G310R, Husqvarna 401 Vitpilen and Svartpilen. Launch timeline has not been revealed. Price expected could be in the region of Rs 2.5 – 3 lakhs.
