TVS Zeppelin 220 is one of the most anticipated motorcycles from the brand that was initially unveiled as a concept at the Auto Expo back in February 2018. The showstopper falls in the cruiser category of motorcycles, targeting buyers who are in the need of a sports cruiser. After several delays, the earlier reports suggested that TVS Motor would be launching the Zeppelin cruiser bike in India by mid-2021, but it didn’t happen.
We expected TVS Motor to unveil the production version of the Zeppelin 220 concept at the Auto Expo which was held in February 2020, but due to the economic slowdown in the automotive sector, TVS decided to skip the auto show. Some of the recent reports also suggest that the production version of the TVS Zeppelin would be launched under the all-new ‘Ronin’ nameplate.
Mechanically, the TVS Zeppelin concept was showcased with an RTR 200-inspired 220cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that was good for a maximum power of 20 HP at 8500 rpm and a peak torque of 18.5 Nm at 7000 rpm. The engine on the concept bike was mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The production model of the TVS Zeppelin-based cruiser motorcycle will feature a BS6-compliant engine while offering powerful performance and getting a price tag of around INR 1.50 lakhs (ex-showroom).
In terms of looks, the upcoming TVS cruiser bike will feature a bulkier fuel tank design which will be further accompanied by clip-on handlebars while all other body panels are expected to be equipped with premium plastic cladding. The brand showcased the Zeppelin cruiser motorcycle concept with Upside Down (USD) front forks and an HD camera back at the Auto Expo 2018 though the production variant is expected to skip on the rather premium bits to keep the costs under check. The concept bike was showcased with a digital-analogue console but the production model is expected to come equipped with an all-digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity like the current-gen TVS Apache RTR 200.
The glorified components will turn decent when the TVS Zeppelin cruiser bike will enter the final production stage. To date, as not even a single test mule has been spotted testing on the Indian roads, it seems like the bike will now most probably launch in 2022. The production version of the cruiser bike is expected to get front and rear disc brakes along with dual-channel ABS.
Some reports even suggest that TVS Motor is working on two variants of the Zeppelin 220. One version is expected to carry a normal petrol engine while the second version is expected to feature a petrol-hybrid setup. As all the rival products are conventional petrol-powered cruisers, the upcoming bikes based on Zeppelin are expected to carry an integrated starter generator-equipped engine for saving fuel while idling.
The concept model of Zeppelin was showcased with a belt-drive mechanism though, it may not be on offer on the production-spec model as it will raise the cost of Zeppelin-based products by a huge margin. If and when launched, the cruiser will rival the Bajaj Avenger 220 and Suzuki Intruder 150 while the Jawa Standard 300, Honda Highness CB350, and Royal Enfield Meteor 350 are other indirect rivals for the upcoming cruiser motorcycle.
TVS Zeppelin Cruiser Bike Photos
Images Source: A.D.Photographs