Royal Enfield 250cc bike is touted to be ready by the year 2026-27. I believe this is a part of a bigger game plan that may mean the end of 350s!
It came to the news earlier as well that Royal Enfield has plans to make 250cc motorcycles as well. This was when the company became aggressive and wanted to be the best in the mid-sized segment worldwide. It defined this mid-sized segment as motorcycles between 250cc to 700/750cc.
However, soon the 250cc plan was either shut or it was merely a rumor. But in a latest, a report at Autocar claims that Royal Enfield is really working on a 250cc platform and it has been given the green light. Whether it is in continuation with the older speculation or if it is a new development we aren’t aware.
According to the report, the 250cc platform is codenamed as V and will be a simple architecture, replicating its air-cooled 350cc platform, rather than the new, liquid cooled modern 450 platform on which it is about to launch the Guerilla on 17th of this month.
Frankly, with the introduction of the Hunter, the current entry point into Royal Enfield, the Chennai-based maker actually may not need any further de-premiumisation. So, this 250 could be a part of the bigger game plan.
In the longer run, Royal Enfield may make this Sherpa 450 as the bread and butter platform and this 250 may support it at the bottom end. So, motorcycles under or around that Rs 2 Lakh mark may be based on the 250 platform and higher priced models may move to that 450 platform. The upcoming Guerilla is already expected to come around that Rs 2.40 Lakh mark.
Yes, I also mean that the 350 may go defunct with the introduction of tighter Bharat Stage 7 or Euro 7 norms that may kick-in around 2027 – obviously, if people appear ready for the transition.
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The above mentioned theory is purely a speculation at this point – as I am trying to understand the logic behind Royal Enfield’s 250cc move.
What adds to my theory is the fact that the report mentions that Royal Enfield may also be considering a hybrid option for this engine. The first motorcycle on this 250 platform is expected to be introduced around 2026-27.
