A leaked patent image of a majorly revised version of the Kinetic Challenger has been circulating on the internet, fuelling rumours about Mahindra’s intentions to re-launch the commuter bike in the Indian market.
Introduced in 2001, the Kinetic Challenger was a 100cc commuter bike pitted against the likes of TVS Victor, Bajaj Boxer and the Hero Honda Splendor. While the motorcycle was quite a head turner, it failed to live up to the expectations and was eventually phased out in 2009. Now though, Mahindra seems to be contemplating reintroducing the Challenger in a new avatar.
Going by the patent image, the new Challenger will retain the overall design of the original bike, while adding few modern touches. The engine, frame and few other components get a blacked-out treatment. The number of body panels has been kept to a minimum, and the motorcycle rides on spoke wheels. Brakes setup consists of drum brakes all around. All of this hint that the new Challenger will be a basic entry-level motorcycle, positioned below the Centuro. The original Challenger was powered by a 97.2cc single-cylinder engine, though there is no clarity on the technical specifications of the upcoming bike.
Source: MotorBeam
