TVS Motor to offer automatic transmission two wheelers from 2013

CHENNAI: Aiming to strengthen its foothold in the growing two-wheeler market,TVS Motor company today said it would introduce automatic tranmission scooters and motorcycles from 2013,with 20 per cent better fuel efficiency.

The Chennai-based auto major today showcased its latest automatic transmission engines for a 110cc scooter and a motorcyle, both likely to come out in the second half of 2013.

"We will introduce the scooter and motorcycle from the second half of 2013.Engine capacity will be from 110 cc.It has fully automatic gearshift and 20 per cent better fuel efficiency compared to conventional technology, with significant reduction in carbon emission", TVS Motor Company (New Product Development) President Vinay Harne told reporters

Declining to reveal the cost involved in developing the technology, he said TVS engineers had been working on developing the new platform for the last six to seven years.

Harne said TVS would also introduce these technologies on current models along with the new models from the second half of 2013.

He claimed acceleration and initial performance would improve with this technology and added that engine weight would come down by 15 per cent while for motorcycles it would be higher by five per cent.

Noting that the company has filed many patents in India and abroad over the last six years to develop this technology, Harne said the automatic transmission engines would offer the same convenience as in Continuously Variable Transmission technology vehicles.

He declined to reveal any figures when asked about the final on road price, saying it could be higher as the new engines provide higher efficiency and convenience.

Harne said TVS would offer variants in both manual and automatic transmission tecnologies in some existing models, allowing a customer to choose his own vehicle.

He said the technology would be offered from 110cc to 250cc. "Right now it is 110cc engine.. if you want to develop in a 250cc engine, it is possible", he said.

Harne said the company has also increased use of aluminium in engines as it would reduce overall weight.