Royal Enfield Interceptor: Things that we know for sure about the upcoming Royal Enfield motorcycle

There has been a lot of speculation about Royal Enfield's first big bike that will be likely called the Interceptor. The official unveiling is scheduled to take place at the EICMA show in Milan on November 7. RE has already started creating a buzz about the new model(s) with a new teaser video that was released by Siddhartha Lal, CEO Royal Enfield. Here are the top five facts about that you should know about Royal Enfield's upcoming flagship motorcycle.

An all-new parallel twin cylinder Royal Enfield engine:

The all-new parallel twin cylinder Royal Enfield engine (Image source: bikesmedia)

Royal Enfield has developed an all-new twin cylinder engine. While the company has not let out any information on the exact displacement of this unit, Siddhartha Lal had clearly stated that the motor will have a maximum displacement of 750cc. Whether there will be a single motor or two with a different tunings to suit the different motorcycles has still not been announced.

Two new motorcycles, a cafe racer and a modern classic

The two iterations of Royal Enfield's all new offering, a cafe racer and a modern classic

In the teaser video that was recently released by Siddhartha Lal, CEO Royal Enfield, one can see there are two motorcycles going around the corner. One of them will be a cafe racer that will be based on the company's Continental GT. Since cafe racers have been happily accepted internationally, the larger displacement cafe racer will be targeted more towards the international markets. Whereas the modern classic with retro styling is the motorcycle that will be aimed at the domestic market. Whether Royal Enfield chooses to display both the motorcycles at the EICMA show or just one pushing the other to next year, is something that we need to see.

Designed at RE technical centre in Leicestershire, UK

The RE Continental GT styled motorcycle caught testing in Spain

With the international markets in focus, Royal Enfield will be primarily using its technical centre at Leicestershire, UK to develop both the new offerings. Additionally, Royal Enfield's Chennai based technical centre too will play a significant role in the research and development of these motorcycles.

To be manufactured in India, will be priced attractively

Royal Enfield India factory to be a manufacturing base to cater the domestic and international demands of the upcoming Interceptor

Presently, Royal Enfield has two factories that manufactures and caters to the domestic as well as international markets. The two new motorcycles will be manufactured in India at either RE's Oragadam plant or at Tiruvottiyur. The fact that both these motorcycles will be manufactured locally will help RE to price them attractively against its rivals.

Larger displacement Royal Enfield Himalayan

The bigger Himalayan's motor will be based on the all-new parallel twin unit that will be introduced with the Interceptor

Royal Enfield has already confirmed that a bigger Himalayan is on cards. The motor in the larger displacement Himalayan will be based on the above mentioned all-new parallel twin unit. Although, whether RE chooses to retain the same displacement with a change in the gearing or tweak it to alter the performance and make it suit the Himalayan's touring characteristics is something that needs to be seen

Launches in India in 2018

As been the trend with Royal Enfield, post the unveiling of motorcycle(s) at the EICMA show in Milan, they will be headed for an India launch that should happen sometime in the second half of 2018.