According to latest figures from Department of Transport Management, Nepal’s automobile industry grew by 29 percent and companies are looking to grab a slice of the lucrative market. People are buying vehicles not just to commute from point A to point B but as a fashion accessory. And automakers are taking notice. Here are some of the hottest new automobile launches in Nepal.

Aprilia SR 150

D-Lifestyles, the authorised distributor of Vespa scooters in Nepal, rolled out the Aprilia SR150 at the beginning of the year. The SR 150 is a sports scooter with a powerful 154.8 cc engine. It has an aggressive and sporty style, and is equipped with a 6.5-litre fuel tank. The scooter reaches a top speed of 104 kmph, and has a fuel efficiency of 40-45 kmpl.

Benelli Tornado302R

The Benelli Tornado 302R is the first full faired Benelli bike in Nepal. It was launched in Nepal by KTM International Trading. The 302R, also known as the Tornado 302, is the sports version of the popular TNT300 model with many added features. Its new frame has made the 302R lighter than the TNT 300 by 16 kg with a 50:50 weight distribution. The Benelli 302R is powered by a 300 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine which produces 35 bhp and 27 Nm of torque. The motor comes paired to a six-speed gearbox with a new map. It has a fuel capacity of 14 litres. It can go up to a maximum speed of 170 kmph. 

Bajaj Dominar 400

Hansraj Hulaschand Co, the authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles, has introduced the most awaited Bajaj Dominar 400 in the market. The Bajaj Dominar 400 is powered by a 373.3 cc triple spark DTS-i engine which produces 35 PS at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 35 NM at 6,500 rpm. It has a six-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch, and reaches a top speed of 148 kmph. The bike has a fuel tank capacity of 13 litres and can run up to 27 km on a single litre of petrol.

Ducati SuperSport

 The Ducati has introduced a new product in the Nepali market. Turbo Motors Trading, the authorized distributor of Ducati in Nepal, has launched the Ducati SuperSport. The product is suitable for sports bike enthusiasts. The SuperSport is a twin cylinder 937 cc Testastretta 11° engine. It delivers 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and a full yet linear torque curve that peaks at 96.7 Nm at 6,500 rpm. It has a six-speed gearbox with the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS).

Yamaha FZ25

MAW Enterprises, the authorized distributor of Yamaha motorcycles and scooters in Nepal, has recently launched the much-awaited FZ25. An addition to the hugely popular FZ Series, the FZ25 is powered by a newly designed 249 cc single cylinder air-cooled, fuel injected engine with a maximum power output of 20.9 PS at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 20 Nm at 6,000 rpm. It has a fuel tank capacity of 14 litres. It has an overall fuel efficiency of 39 kmpl. It has a five-speed manual gearbox.

KTM Duke 250

Hansraj and Hulaschand, the authorised distributors of KTM motorcycles in Nepal, has introduced the new Duke 250 in Nepal. The Duke 250 is the first 250 cc bike in the Duke Series. The all-new bike uses a 248.8 cc single cylinder, liquid-cooled and fuel-injected motor which produces 30 hp and 24 Nm, and comes with a slipper-clutch and six-speed gearbox. It has a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 litres. It can travel at a top speed of 138 kmph.

Honda Africa Twin

Syakar Trading Company, the authorized dealer of Honda, has brought the iconic and legendary 1,000 cc motorcycle, the Africa Twin, to Nepal. The Africa Twin is the elder sibling of the CRF 250L, and as such, it is also known as the CRF 1000L. The motorcycle is powered by a 998 cc twin cylinder, four-stroke engine that is liquid cooled and fuel injected. It produces a head snapping maximum torque of 92 Nm and 95 horses to cover distances quickly. Honda claims the Africa Twin has a fuel economy of 16 km per litre and comes with an 18-litre fuel tank.

FOUR-WHEELERS

Volkswagen Amarok

Pooja International Nepal, the authorised distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in Nepal, has launched a new pickup truck named the Amarok. Powering the Amarok is a powerful 2.0 litre TDI Bi-turbo engine that sets new standards in terms of power, torque, fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The Amarok is a pickup like no other, uniting cross-country mobility, flexibility and efficiency in one solid hunk of a vehicle. The Amarok features a high quality interior, low noise levels and good driving characteristics.

Tata Tigor

Sipradi Trading, the authorised distributor of Tata Motors in Nepal, has recently released the New Tata Tigor in the Nepali market. The Tigor is powered by a next-gen 1.2L Revotron petrol engine with multi-drive modes. To ensure superior ride quality, the Tigor is equipped with dual path front and rear suspension for the perfect balance between a comfortable ride and superior handling. The car is also intelligently engineered with superior legroom and 24 utility spaces to provide ample storage to carry one’s world along. The Tigor is available in four variants, XE, XT, XZ and XZ (O).

Renault Lodgy Stepway

Advanced Automobile, the authorized distributor of Renault autos in Nepal, has introduced its all new Renault Lodgy Stepway range. The new model comes in four variants—Lodgy STD, Lodgy RxE, Lodgy RxL and Lodgy RxZ. The MPV comes with a new studded front grille, brushed aluminium finish skid plate, fog lamp bezels and black plastic cladding around the wheel arches and lower portion of the car. It is powered by a 1.5-litre dCi engine with a five-speed manual transmission in the 85 PS variant and a six-speed manual transmission in the 110 PS variant and flaunts 200 Nm max torque.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross & S-Cab

Continental Trading Enterprise, the sole distributor of Isuzu vehicles in Nepal, has launched the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross and S-Cab in Nepal. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is the second generation pickup from Isuzu powered by a 134 hp, BSIV compliant and high pressure Common Rail Fuel Injection Diesel Engine. The power train is mated to a robust five-speed manual transmission that delivers a maximum torque level of 320 Nm at 1,800-2,800 rpm. The Isuzu D-Max V-cross is equipped with off-roading features like 4WD (shift-on-fly) mode, high ride suspension that offers higher ground clearance and wider track with longer wheel base. The D-Max S-Cab, a five-seater pickup, caters to modern businessmen and professionals. 

New Skoda Rapid

ŠKODA MAW, the sole authorized distributor of Skoda vehicles in Nepal, has introduced the updated Rapid in the Nepali market. The updated Rapid will be available in two engine options: a 1.6L MPI petrol engine and a 1.5L TDI diesel engine. The 1.6L MPI four-cylinder petrol powering the sedan churns out 104 bhp of power and 153 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. Similarly, the 1.5L TDI engine produces 110 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque and can be paired with a five-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic DSG.

New Suzuki Dzire

CG Motocorp, the authorised distributor of Suzuki vehicles in Nepal, has recently launched the all-new 2017 Dzire. Powering the new 2017 Dzire is Suzuki’s tried and tested K12 engine, known for its power and mileage. The 1.2-litre VVT K12 engine churns out 83 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque. Combined with the weight reductions made on the car, the new Dzire manages to deliver a fuel efficiency of 22 km per litre. With a fuel tank capacity of 37 litres, the Dzire is able to cover over 800 km. The boot capacity has also been expanded by 60 litres to 378 litres. It also offers good safety features and is fitted with dual airbags and ABS as standard in all variants. (PR)