TVS Zeppelin – 5 Things To Know

5 reasons to choose TVS Zeppelin

It’s a cruiser for sure

The popularity of the Bajaj Dominar was evident at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo. TVS showcased its own cruiser concept which dawns the moniker “Zeppelin”. The front forks and switchgear on the motorcycle are borrowed from the recently launched Apache RR310. Some of the noticeable design accents include a big vertical LED headlamp. The motorcycle comes with 41mm USD forks and the rear of the bike is raked to allow easier access for the pillion.

The grunt

The motorcycle is a hybrid! TVS Zeppelin comes with a micro-hybrid system like the one seen on the Maruti Ciaz SHVS. The motorcycle gets an Integrated Starter Generator system which comes with an e-boost mechanism. The e-boost mechanism enhances the bike’s performance by drawing power from a 1,200W regenerative assist motor which is energised by a 48V Li-ion battery. The company has confirmed that the peak power output of the motorcycle will be 20bhp and will produce 18.5Nm of torque from its 220cc motor. The claimed top speed of TVS Zeppelin is 130kph.

The platform

The built of the TVS Zeppelin is very reminiscent of a classic cruiser. The motorcycle gets spoked wheels, unlike the alloys we see on Dominar. The fuel tank capacity is 20 litres and the wheelbase of the motorcycle is 1,490mm. The kerb weight of TVS Zeppelin is 168kgs, which is quite manageable in city traffic. In terms of safety, TVS is likely to offer this cruiser with dual-channel ABS which will work in tandem with the 300mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes. The Zeppelin will ride on 110/70 R17 and 140/70 R15 Pirelli tyres.

The tech

Aside from LED lights, the TVS Zeppelin also comes with what the company calls a “Bio-Key”. This is basically a smart access or keyless entry function which yet again was previously seen in cars. One also gets an infotainment system and an HD action camera which is compatible with cloud connectivity. TVS also announced that it will launch Zeppelin with a unique belt drive function which will help in cutting down maintenance costs and at the same time ensure a more silent ride.

Will it make into production?

The TVS Zeppelin with its powerplant which produces 20bhp of peak power output is highly unlikely to keep up with the likes of Bajaj Dominar. But in the 200cc segment, we think it might be launched against the Avenger 220. This would mean that TVS would have to do away with most of the premium features including the spoke wheels. The company might still introduce the ISG micro-hybrid system with its cruiser which will offer competitive fuel-economy stats that are likely to be even greater than that of other cruisers in the 200cc cruiser segment.