TVS Motor Company, one of India's biggest motorbike manufacturers, debuted the Zeppelin concept cruiser at the 2018 Auto Expo. The company trademarked the term 'Zeppelin R' in 2020, fueling speculation that the prototype may soon become a production vehicle. However, this has yet to occur, and TVS has not disclosed any launch information.
That being said, reports concerning the upcoming debut of the TVS Zeppelin R in India have lately appeared online, and enthusiast interest is strong Despite the fact that TVS stated on its social media platforms earlier in 2022 that the Zeppelin was merely a concept vehicle and not intended for production, speculations persist that the Zeppelin R would be released soon. If this is true, it would undoubtedly excite many fans, since many have been waiting for its release with bated breath. Several Indian motoring publications, like GaadiWaadi, believe the motorbike would be available in India very soon.
The TVS Zeppelin R is the company's first cruiser motorbike. With a hexagonal LED headlight (with integrated LED DRLs), golden-finished USD front forks, an angular gas tank, a one-piece step-up saddle, a preload-adjustable rear monoshock, and a belly-mounted skid plate, the concept version featured a futuristic design motif. It also sported single disc brakes on both wheels —300mm in front and 240mm in back—as well as an integrated camera and a semi-digital information display. The concept bike also had smartphone connectivity. All this seems like a lot of tech for an entry-level cruiser, so we're not exactly sure which of these features will be brought to life.
A 220cc single-cylinder engine powered the Zeppelin concept. This engine produced 20 horsepower and 12.6 ft-lbs of torque, and had a belt-drive system which was the first of its kind on a low-displacement motorcycle. It also had a hybrid powertrain with a 1200W regenerative motor and a 48V battery. The same setup is unlikely to be used on the production version of the bike, as TVS is more likely to fit the same engine as an existing model, to cut costs and offer it at a more attractive price point. At this point however, TVS has yet to give an official statement about the new bike, so we'll have to wait and see.
