TVS and BMW Unveil New 450cc Parallel-Twin Engine for Global Mid-Size Bikes
TVS confirms new 450cc engine with 125° firing angle to be used in BMW adventure bikes and future Norton models by 2025.
TVS Motor Company just confirmed they are building a brand-new 450cc engine with two cylinders. This is a big step for the company, based in Hosur, India. It shows they are serious about making waves in the popular mid-size bike market. They are working with their long-time partner, BMW Motorrad from Germany, on this project. Plus, this new engine will also power future bikes from Norton, the classic British brand that TVS now owns. This new engine plan looks set to bring fresh performance and technology to riders.
This new plan builds on the success TVS and BMW already had with their 310cc engine partnership. That team-up gave us popular bikes like the BMW G 310 R, the G 310 GS, and the TVS Apache RR 310. Now, they are aiming higher with a bigger engine, more power, and features that more riders will want. Top bosses at TVS confirmed this news themselves. It shows the company is focused on new ideas and growing its range of bikes, which also includes new electric scooters.
The star of the show is a 450cc engine with two cylinders side-by-side (a parallel-twin) and liquid cooling to keep it running smoothly. We don’t have all the details yet, but news reports say it will make around 47 to 48 horsepower (PS) and about 45 Nm of torque (pulling power). That’s enough power to compete well with other mid-size bikes, both in India and places like Europe where certain licenses limit power. TVS will build this high-tech engine in its modern factory in Hosur, using its expert manufacturing skills.
What’s really interesting about this engine is something called a 125-degree firing angle, according to reports. Most twin-cylinder engines fire differently (like 180, 270, or 360 degrees apart). This unusual 125-degree timing could give the engine a unique sound and feel when you twist the throttle. It might feel more lively and responsive, maybe a bit like a V-twin engine but in a smaller package. We won’t know for sure how it feels until the bikes are ready to ride, but it shows TVS and BMW are trying new things to stand out.
BMW plans to use this engine in its adventure bike, the F 450 GS. People have already seen this bike being tested in India, and it should be revealed later this year. But TVS is going in a sportier direction for its first bike with this engine. Most experts believe TVS will launch a full-faired sports bike, probably called the TVS Apache RR 450. This bike would be the new top model in the Apache family, sitting above the current RR 310. It will compete against bikes like the Aprilia RS 457 and will be the second Indian-made sports bike with a parallel-twin engine after the Aprilia.
This whole project shows TVS’s big plan: to grab a larger piece of the premium bike market, both in India and around the world. By using the same basic engine design for three different brands (TVS, BMW, Norton), the company can build bikes more efficiently and offer something for everyone. For TVS, the Apache RR 450 will be a flagship model, showing off what their engineers can do.
Using this engine for Norton is also very important. TVS bought Norton in 2020, and this new engine will help bring the famous British brand back to life. Norton is expected to use the 450cc twin in new mid-size bikes, maybe starting with some cool-looking retro roadsters. These bikes could be shown off at the big EICMA motorcycle show in Milan this November. They will be key to getting Norton back on the map with bikes that are modern, fun, and more affordable than their super-expensive V4 models.
So, when can we expect these new bikes? The BMW F 450 GS might be shown globally around the EICMA show in late 2025, with an India launch maybe late 2025 or early 2026. The TVS Apache RR 450 could be revealed at TVS’s own MotoSoul event, possibly in December 2025. And the new Nortons using this engine are expected to debut at EICMA in November 2025.
This clever plan – using one great engine for three brands and different types of bikes (adventure, sport, retro) – shows TVS is thinking big. It helps them compete better, build their reputation, and become an even bigger name in the global motorcycle business. This 450cc twin-cylinder project isn't just about a new engine; it's about TVS stepping up its game with cool engineering and smart planning. Bike fans everywhere have a lot to look forward to!