Triumph to debut first Indian-built small capacity model at 2022 EICMA?

The first model primed to herald the launch of Triumph’s new small capacity range of motorcycles is reportedly being readied for its world premiere at the 2022 EICMA show in Milan.

The British marque has been working on an all-new selection of entry-level models ever since it came to an agreement with India’s second largest manufacturer, Bajaj Auto, in 2019 to collaborate on development and manufacturing.

While Triumph has given little away in terms of which models will come out of the partnership, it is expected to launch multiple motorcycles powered by new engines in the 250-750cc displacement range.

Spy shots from earlier in the year suggested Triumph is working on at least two new models, a smaller capacity version of the Triumph Speed Twin and another that bears similarities to the Triumph Bonneville and Triumph Scrambler. Rumours suggest they will be offered with a 400-450cc twin-cylinder engine.

Either way, we may not have much longer to find out with Indian publication Gaadi Waadi reporting at least one of these new models will get their world premiere at the 2022 EICMA show, which kicks off on 8 November. Given Triumph’s preference for teasing roll-outs in the run up to full reviews, we might get a hint of what to expect around September or October.

Why ‘baby’ Triumph range could be huge for company

Triumph is on something of a roll at the moment having now completed a thorough range overhaul over the last couple of years to such an extent the Triumph Rocket 3 launched in 2019 is now the oldest model in the line-up.

Indeed, Triumph has enjoyed a sharp upturn in fortunes recently with almost 80,000 motorcycles shifted globally in 2021, a huge 34% gain on not just the COVID-19 affected 2020 but also compared with 2019.

Much of this can be attributed to the success of the Trident 660, which in the UK alone is in contention to be one of the best-selling motorcycle above 125cc in 2022.

Regarded as one of motorcycling’s more ‘premium’ brands, Triumph has previously resisted dropping down the engine bands so as not to dilute its image but it’s a tactic that is costing it sales in the crucial Asian and Indian market where import mark-ups hamper its current range and where low-capacity models make up the majority of volume sales.

It is a quandary Triumph's deal with Bajaj will go a long way to solve. By partnering with the company, Triumph has access to Bajaj’s brand-new manufacturing facility in Pune - its fourth in among the vast complex - where it will share space with new models being developed by KTM, which Bajaj has a 48% stake in.

Moreover, the partnership gives Triumph access to Bajaj’s detailed knowledge of the world’s largest motorcycle market, though it maintains it is not developing models specifically for India, with each model to be made available globally. It also insists there will be no badge engineering to allow Bajaj to sell their own versions of the platform.

Which new small Triumph models can we expect?

As for which models we can expect, the decision to kick off with variations of Triumph Speed Twin and Scrambler models would be no surprise given the popularity of modern classic models in India and Triumph’s association with the signature nostalgic design.

However, contemporary models are also expected to follow, with talk of a smaller-engined version of the Trident 660 and possibly also the Triumph Tiger Sport or Rally (perhaps known as the 'Triumph Tiger Cub", while the recent reorganisation of Triumph’s specific model lines have cleared a space for a new roadster to slot into the Triumph Street Triple/Twin range.