Yamaha imports 155cc scooter for R&D, could be NMAX

While Yamaha India may have shifted its focus back to the motorcycle market, the company is not neglecting the scooter space so easily and certainly has future plans for the same. As per import data, the Japanese manufacturer has brought in a 155.1cc scooter in India for R&D purpose from Indonesia and we suspect this to be the newly launched NMAX that went on sale in the South East Asian country in the last few weeks.

While details are scarce, the company could be readying up an Indian spec 150cc two-wheeler to compete in the coming years.The Yamaha NMAX has been developed as a global scooter and features a step through design language which is popular in Europe.

Much like its rivals, the scooter boasts of a massive size, comfortable seat and high riding position while power comes from the 155cc liquid-cooled engine producing 15 PS and 14.4 Nm of torque, paired to a CVT transmission. This 155cc motor has been developed under Yamaha’s Blue Core concept that first debuted on the India-spec FZ FI V2.0 and offers a balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

In terms of tech, the Yamaha NMAX is loaded with goodies including smoked out headlamp, external fuel cap, digital instrument console, telescopic forks and rides on 13-inch alloy wheels. The scooter is based on a lightweight high-rigidity frame and also gets ABS as standard.

With the NMAX being a global product, chances are it could come to India but in a more sedated avatar minus the bells and whistles, while chances are that of Yamaha making a 150cc scooter for the Indian market from the learnings of the NMAX scooter.

Incidentally, Honda too had imported the PCX 150 scooter in the country earlier this year. While the 150cc scooter market is not open for business as yet, several manufacturers are readying up products with the segment that promises immense growth in the future.

The scooter market, after all, has been doubling sales like clockwork and the engine displacement is only going to grow from the current 125cc limit. That said, it also needs to be seen as to which manufacturer will play the gamble and take the first mover advantage by launching their performance scooter offering.