2014 Indian Auto Expo: Yamaha launches Alpha 113cc scooter at Rs 49,518

Yamaha India has launched a new unisex scooter called Alpha at a starting price of Rs 49,518 ex-showroom Delhi. The Apha is based on the Ray’s underpinnings and has a bulbous body similar to the Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter and Suzuki Access, its competitors in the segment. The Alpha is only a new design and not an all new scooter as it shares mechanicals with the Ray and Ray Z. Yamaha India plans to sell 2,00,000 units of the Alpha scooter in its first year.

The Alpha is an important addition to the Yamaha range as the two-wheeler manufacturer is increasingly focusing on scooters as it sees greater growth in the segment. At present, Yamaha India has only two scooters in the Ray and Ray Z and over ten motorcycles in its line-up yet by 2015, the Japanese manufacturer expects scooter sales to match motorcycle sales in India. Yamaha Motor India’s VP – Sales and Marketing, Roy Kurian says, “You can expect our growth and our focus more in scooters because it is going to drive volumes.” Yamaha expects total sales of close to 8.5 million units this year and cross the 1 million mark in 2015 including exports.

The Alpha has the same 113cc air-cooled 4-stroke two-valve single cylinder engine powering the Ray scooters. Peak power is 7.1 PS at 7,500rpm and peak torque is 8.1 Nm at 5,000 rpm. It gets telescopic suspension up front and unit swing type in the rear. The 104 kg scooter get 130mm drum brakes for the front and rear with no disc brake option. Yamaha claims a SIAM certified fuel efficiency figure of 62 kmpl for the Alpha.

The Alpha gets top mounted headlights unlike the fairing mounted ones on the Ray and Ray Z, wide body and what looks like a comfortable seat. It measures 1,795mm in length, 675mm in width and 1124mm in height with a wheelbase of 1270mm. It will be available in five colours – Black, Grey, White, Red and Magenta.