Last Updated: November 18, 2023, 12:38 IST
The Royal Enfield Taurus is India’s first and solely mass-produced diesel bike.
The diesel engine Royal Enfield bikes become an iconic possession these days after the Indian Army ordered a number of of those bikes for border patrolling.
Royal Enfield, a model synonymous with cult basic fashions within the bike world, ventured into a singular territory with the Royal Enfield Taurus, India’s first mass-produced diesel bike in early Nineteen Nineties. In a rustic the place two-wheelers historically run on petrol, the Taurus aimed to carve a distinct segment for itself out there with a diesel engine.
Having been a stalwart since India’s independence, Royal Enfield’s foray into diesel-powered bikes started with the Bullet Diesel, initially designed for the Indian Army’s border patrolling wants. This transfer rapidly reworked right into a cult following. During the Nineteen Nineties, although Royal Enfield confronted little competitors it quickly emerged as a market chief within the section. To additional fortify its place, the corporate launched the Taurus, a diesel engine-powered bike, in 1993.
The Royal Enfield Taurus, basically a diesel iteration of the long-lasting Bullet, featured a 325cc air-cooled single-cylinder diesel engine. Capable of manufacturing 6.5hp of energy and a peak pressure of 15Nm, the bike boasted a high velocity of roughly 65 kmph and a formidable gasoline effectivity of round 80 km per litre.
Despite its notable options, the Taurus confronted challenges that finally led to its disappearance from the roads. While diesel was extra economical throughout that interval, the bike struggled with emissions, failing to fulfill the federal government’s air pollution norms. The outstanding situation lay within the black smoke emissions, a aspect impact of the diesel engine. Additionally, the diesel engine’s reliance on a gasoline injector, versus a spark plug, proved costlier and required common servicing and upkeep.
In 2000, Royal Enfield made the robust choice to discontinue the Taurus. Priced at round Rs 65,000 on the time, the bike, regardless of being a best-seller, didn’t seize a sustainable market share resulting from emission issues and upkeep points related to its diesel engine.
