Top 5 most anticipated classic cars in 2018

1. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Continental GT650

Royal Enfield, with its historic advantage, is pushing into the modern classic space in 2018 with the introduction of two new motorcycles sharing the same platform, the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT650. Both models will be powered by an all-new, 640cc, twin-cylinder, direct-injection engine that produces 47bhp at 7100rpm and 52Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox, and dual-channel ABS is standard. The Interceptor 650's design is inspired by the Interceptor from the 1960s. Both bikes share the same length, wheelbase, and turning circle, but the Interceptor 650 is slightly taller and wider than the Continental GT650. However, the Continental GT650 emphasizes the café racer design language more with a sportier riding position.

This pair of cars is expected to cost 4 lakh (142 million VND) in the Indian market. After being launched here in mid-2018, it is expected that this pair of cars will also be imported to Vietnam soon.

2. Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster

Triumph Motorcycles is expanding its popular modern classic Bonneville family with a new model called the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Based on the Triumph Bonneville Bobber, the Speedmaster features easier ergonomics for long hours on the highway.

In fact, the Speedmaster gets wider profile Avon Cobra tires mounted on 16-inch spoked wheels, a larger 12-litre fuel tank and a host of accessories including the standard Maverick and Highway two-piece kits.

Like the Bonneville Bobber, the Bonneville Speedmaster will be powered by a 1200cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine that produces 76 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 106 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Speedmaster is still quite light at 245.5 kg. Standard features include ABS, traction control, two riding modes, and cruise control.

The Speedmaster is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2018 with an expected price of 10 lakh (VND 355.5 million).

3. Kawasaki Z900 RS

Kawasaki will launch a retro version of its popular performance naked bike, the Kawasaki Z900. The Japanese manufacturer has now revealed two new retro versions of the family, the Z900RS and the Z900RS Café.

True to its name, the standard Kawasaki Z900RS has a nostalgic design from the 1960s and 70s. The engine is similar to the Z900 with a 948cc inline-4 cylinder structure, but now has a heavier flywheel and a 4-into-1 exhaust design, along with a modern 6-speed gearbox with shift assist technology.

This engine is capable of producing a maximum power of 110 horsepower and a maximum torque of 97 Nm. The Kawasaki Z900RS and RS Café are expected to arrive in South Asia in mid-2018.

4. Norton Commando 961

Kinetic MotoRoyale will launch the Norton Commando 961 in India by the end of 2018. This will be the first Norton product to be sold in India under the Kinetic-Norton joint venture.

The bike is powered by a 961cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected, twin-cylinder engine that produces 79 horsepower and 90 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a 5-speed gearbox.

The Commando gets premium Ohlins suspension, with USD forks up front and Ohlins twin shock absorbers at the rear. The braking system is also top-of-the-line Brembo. Expect this model to be priced around Rs 20 lakh.

5. Benelli Imperiale 400

DSK Benelli will launch the all-new Benelli Imperiale 400 in the South Asian market in mid-2018. This model is powered by a 373.5cc, single-cylinder, direct-injection engine that produces 19 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm.

The retro-styled Benelli Imperiale 400 will compete head-to-head with Royal Enfield. The bike is built on a twin-tube steel frame and gets telescopic forks at the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear. The brakes are disc brakes on both wheels with dual-channel ABS as standard. The bike is expected to be priced at a very attractive Rs 3 lakh.