Kinetic to pave way for Italian superbikes

After Benelli and Ducati making way into the Indian market, it is now MV Agusta that will soon set up a shop in the country. The possibility is that the Italian marque will be partnering with Kinetic Engineering to make its domestic entry. As per earlier reports, “MV Agusta was in talks with two Indian auto giants for a joint venture and it now seems that Kinetic fits the bill perfectly for the company, given its existing association,” reports MotorBeam.

Part of the Firodia Group, Kinetic Engineering was more popularly known as ‘Kinetic Honda’ back in the 1990s due to its association with Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI). In fact, it was the first manufacturer to have a joint venture with HMSI to manufacture two-stroke scooters (Honda NH series).

These were one of the first automatic scooters to be launched in the country complete with electric start and a CVT unit. By 1998 though the Indo-Japanese joint venture came to an end, and Kinetic two-wheelers ceased existence in 2008, selling its assets and manufacturing plants to Mahindra, which eventually went on to become Mahindra 2-Wheelers.

At present, Kinetic Engineering assembles engines for MV Agusta and given the existing collaboration, the exotic bike maker will find an easy entry into the Indian market. The Pune based manufacturer’s plant could also double up as an assembly base for MV Agusta’s products if and when the company decides to bring in the performance bikes via the CKD route.

MV Agusta’s lineup comprises of highly adorned offerings including the Brutale 675, F3 675, F3 800, Brutale 800, Rivale 800, Turismo Veloce 800, Stradale 800, F4 and Brutale 1090. The Italian manufacturer will most likely bring the entire range to India with prices starting from Rs. 13 lakhs going up to Rs. 30 lakhs for the flagship F4 superbike. It needs to be seen though if the automaker decides to offer the halo product ‘F4RC’ in the country that will cost an overwhelming Rs. 65 lakhs.