Triumph building a new 300cc naked single!

Rumours are flying out of Thailand at the moment that Triumph is developing and due to start testing an all new 300cc or 350cc single cylinder naked bike.

According to Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, on sale now, a new Triumph is being lined up as an affordable entry-level bike for developed markets (US/Europe) and as a prestige model in growing markets (Asia, Africa and South America). News of the bike first emerged last month in the Brazilian magazine Motociclismo, which reports that it will be assembled in Brazil from kits sent from Thailand to a new Triumph assembly plant in Manaus.

As we already know, Triumph wants to expand its line up to 23 models across 7 categories by the end of 2012 and are keen to tap in to the rapidly expanding Asia markets. Currently, Triumph has 21 models across 6 categories; so with this model rumoured to be formally announced in 2012 there is speculation that there will be 2 variants and a new category - could this be a new Triumph Cub?

The liquid cooled four-valve single cylinder engine is rumoured to measure between 267cc and 350cc depending on the country in which it will be sold. If correct, then this would position it against KTM's 200cc Duke for India, Brazil and other developing markets.

Triumph's 800 Thailand employees are under the direction of locally based British management and outweigh the 600 strong workforce at its Hinckley HQ. The Thai operation manufactures a significant proportion of both engine and chassis components for all current models. Triumph is rumoured to be building a volume production plant in Thailand to enable it be compete in the Asian export markets to other countries throughout the region.

Naturally, Triumph have not commented on any speculation regarding the development of any new models.

Posted: 05 May 2011