TVS Akula launch confirmed for 2017, most likely this November

TVS Akula, also known as the TVS Apache RTR 300 RR S, reportedly, has been spied repeatedly in production or close to production form. Now, OVERDRIVE has confirmation that while the launch date has remained uncertain and in flux, TVS does intent to launch the TVS Akula before the 2017 calendar year is over. Tight secrecy - and significant delays - have surrounded the motorcycles from the TVS-BMW joint project. The BMW R 310 R is in production and being exported but the Indian launch of the BMW R 310 R has been moved to 2018, hopefully early 2018. The TVS Akula, similarly, has been surrounded by launch date anticipation but we know now that it will definitely be within this year. Our best guess is a November launch after the festive season buzz has settled. The company did not comment.

The fairing on the Akula looks large but sculpted

To quickly recap, the TVS Akula story, the motorcycle was shown in concept form with full carbon-fibre skin at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi and it rapidly became the most talked-about two-wheeler at the show. TVS and BMW Motorrad have a cooperation agreement under which the Germans are working on small 200-500cc single-cylinder motorcycles that will appear in TVS- and BMW-avatars. The BMW motorcycle is the G 310 R and the G 310 GS which have been seen but so far not ridden. The TVS Akula was revealed as the TVS version of the motorcycle from the same platform. BMW has two avatars of their version, the G 310 R, which is on sale in many markets now and the BMW G 310 GS which we saw at the Intermot Show last year but is expected to enter production in early 2018.

The vertical dash is a unique detail spotted on the TVS Akula test vehicles spotted testing so far

The BMW G 310 R - let's start there since it is closer to the Akula than the taller GS model - is powered by an oversquare counterbalanced single-cylinder engine that is liquid-cooled and fuel-injected. The 310cc engine is mounted back-to-front and is fed from the front, and the exhaust exits the cylinder block at the back. Peak power is 34PS at 9,500rpm, redline is at 10,500rpm and it makes 28Nm at 7,500rpm. The TVS version is based on the same platform but it isn't known at this point how the engine or chassis is being tweaked. From the last spy shots we spotted that the riding position is more committed than the G 310 R with rubber-coated footpegs set further back along with a new subframe to hand the pillion pegs.

The carbon-clad TVS Akula from the 2016 Auto Expo was the star of the show

The TVS Akula also gets a vertical all-digital dash which is an unusual design choice. A shift light is prominently visible while an array of warning and tell-tale lights are across the top. Behind this is an intricate top triple clamp to which are mounted clip-on style bars.

At the bottom of the TVS are five-spoke alloy wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport tyres - the French tyre maker is the OE supplier of choice for BMW Motorrad. This doesn't necessarily mean the TVS Akula will come with Michelins, though. TVS tends to work with TVS Tyres for its bikes, and the optional Pirellis on the Apache RTR 200 4V were a first for the company. But all the spy shots, so far, have Michelins on the bike.

Tell us what you think about the delays in the BMW G 310 R's launch and the progress of the TVS Akula from 2016 Auto Expo delicacy to, shortly, a production motorcycle in the comments below.