PUNE :
Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, the 100% subsidiary of the Italian auto giant, Piaggio Group has announced the price for their much-awaited mid-performance sports bike, the Aprilia RS 457 at INR 4.10 lakhs (ex-Maharashtra). Customers can pre-book the sports bike from 15 Dec 2023 on the Aprilia India website as well as at the Aprilia Motoplex Dealerships across India for INR 10,000 only. The start of deliveries of the sports bike is tentatively announced from March 2024. The announcement was made by Mr Diego Graffi, Chairman and MD, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd at the India Bike Week in Goa. The new Aprilia RS 457 makes its Indian début following its design and development at Aprilia's headquarters in Italy, at the same technical HQ that produces superbikes and MotoGP bikes.
Speaking at the announcement, Mr Diego Graffi, Chairman and MD, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd said, “ Performance luxury is core to Aprilia vehicles and they all come with a racing DNA. The introduction of the RS 457 is a new chapter for India’s sports bike category and the mid-performance segment is a perfect gateway to get into serious sports biking. We believe that the Indian mid-performance market is at the cusp of a revolution and sports bikes will make a serious headway in a predominantly cruiser-dominated market. What works for us is that the infrastructure in India is thriving, the consumers are ready to explore and demand more from their bikes, and even the culture of motorsports is penetrating with the likes of premium 2-wheeler motorsports coming to India. We are excited to leverage our successful racing history and shape India’s unique motorbike culture and there could not be a better product than a sports bike from the RS family which has a legacy of global fandom through the RS 660, RSV4 and of course the RSGP bikes. This is India’s time to take to the world of sports biking!”
Adding his thoughts, Mr Ajay Raghuvanshi, EVP 2 Wheeler Domestic Business Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd said, “Over the last few years there has been a rapid rise in the mid-performance segment for motorcycles. The sale of motorcycles with engine capacities ranging from 250cc to 750 cc, increased by 38% last fiscal, more than double the overall two-wheeler category. Thanks to the rapidly developing road infrastructure, we are witnessing a cultural shift in biking as a hobby versus as just a mode of transportation. With the Aprilia RS 457, Indian consumers will now have easy access to a world-class racing sports bike and experience the thrill of riding like never before. We are ready and excited to provide customers with a great product and equally great service befitting of an Aprilia.”
He further added, “The Aprilia RS 457 will be retailed exclusively through our flagship Motoplex format, which also retails the CBU units of the RS 660 and RSV4. We intend to provide the best customer experience hence the decision to retail through only Motoplex ensuring unparalleled quality and customer satisfaction. We are in the process of expanding our Motoplex network by converting existing select dealerships in target cities and adding new dealerships.”
Aprilia has applied all the technical innovations pioneered in racing and the knowledge of its extraordinary technicians to road sports bikes, bringing motorcyclists the highest levels of performance and riding pleasure. The bikes are designed to amaze with innovations drawn from the long and successful racing history that has shaped Aprilia's unique motorbike culture.
