Seven years after the bike's launch, the Apache has notched sales of over 1 million units. Reports are also abound of TVS giving its flagship RTR 180 a cosmetic update
The Apache has been a great success story for TVS since its launch back in 2006. At the time of its launch, the bike notched up major automobile awards owing to its performance oriented nature and nimble handling. The Apache added one more feather to its cap recently with sales crossing the 1 millionth mark.
Speaking on the occasion, K N Radhakrishnan, President and CEO, TVS Motor Company, said, “This is an important milestone for the Apache brand. Constant upgrades with new and innovative features, styling and refreshing graphics has helped us achieve this milestone. To mark this occasion,TVS Apache will come with a unique one million badge.”
The Apache debuted as a 150cc motorcycle with 5-speed transmission and was poised to take on the segment leader Bajaj’s Pulsar 150. While it was fairly successful in denting the Pulsar's sales,TVS followed it up by bumping up the engine capacity to 160cc in 2007. The Hosur-based two-wheeler manufacturer launched the 180cc variant of the bike, Apache RTR 180, with more aggressive styling. Also, it was the first bike in the segment to offer ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) as an option.
Last year the entire Apache RTR range was given a beast-themed styling update to make the bike look more aggressive. Currently TVS has three variants under the Apache brand which are Apache RTR 160, Apache RTR 180 and Apache RTR 180 ABS.
But with competition upping the bar, the Apache seems to be loosing its sheen. Though bike still registers healthy sales numbers, it's nowhere close to what it when the bike was launched. TVS has now released teaser images of an Apache RTR 180 with the tag ‘the beast seeks a new skin” on their official website and Facebook page suggesting the bike is due for a fresh styling update, which includes a new grab rail. It is uncertain whether the new Apache will see any improvements on the mechanical front but we feel there will be no changes to the bikes' performance.
TVS had given cosmetic tweaks to the Apache just last year but the design wasn’t much appreciated by Apache loyalists. The Apache RTR 180 is powered by a 177.4cc, four-stroke mill capable of pushing out 17.26PS of power and 15.5Nm of torque and the bikes is renowned for its performance oriented DNA and lively handling.
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