Kawasaki is on a roll with new models in India. After launching the Eliminator, the updated Z650 RS and Z900, and launching the all-new Ninja 500, the Japanese motorcycle maker could launch the Ninja 7 Hybrid and the Z e-1 motorcycles in India, as the company has patented the models.
Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid and Z e-1
The Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid was unveiled recently and is the first of its kind to use an electric motor along with the engine. The Ninja 7 uses a 451cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine used in the Eliminator and the new Ninja 500 that are already on sale in India. This powerplant is paired with an electric motor, which makes a combined power of 60bhp.
Kawasaki has also moved away from the conventional gearbox, instead opting for paddle shifters placed on the left side of the handlebar, similar to Honda’s DCT.
The Z e-1 is a more traditional electric motorcycle that draws power from a removable lithium-ion battery. Kawasaki claims a range of 72km in Eco mode, and the motorcycle has a top speed of 79kmph in ‘Road’ mode and 56kmph in ‘Eco’ mode. The battery pack can be fully charged in 7.4 hours.
Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid and Z e-1 India launch
There are no details as to when the two motorcycles will be launched in India, however, looking at the timeline it took for Kawasaki to launch the Z500 from EICMA to Indian roads, there is a high possibility that the motorcycles could be launched this year. In terms of pricing, expect the Ninja 7 to be priced higher than the ZX-6R, while it will be interesting to see how Kawasaki prices the all-electric Z e-1.
