The TV9 Network hosted the prestigious Auto9 Awards 2026 in New Delhi, recognising excellence across India’s automotive industry. Among the top winners, the newly launched TVS Apache RTX 300 was crowned Bike of the Year, while Aprilia SR 175 received the Scooter of the Year award for its performance, design, and features.
The TV9 Network organised the Auto9 Awards 2026 at Taj Palace, New Delhi. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari attended the event as the chief guest, along with senior automobile industry leaders, policymakers, experts, and key stakeholders from the mobility sector.
The Auto9 Awards featured 40 categories, covering cars, bikes, electric vehicles, startups, and industry leaders. In the motorcycle segment, the TVS Apache RTX 300 won the prestigious Bike of the Year award.
The new TVS Apache RTX 300 has been launched in India at a starting price of ₹1.99 lakh (ex-showroom). While TVS has a long history of selling commuter bikes, streetfighters, and premium supersport motorcycles, this is the company’s first serious off-road adventure motorcycle.
Base variant price: ₹1.99 lakh
Top-spec BTO variant price: ₹2.29 lakh
The motorcycle is available in five colour options:
Viper Green
Tarn Bronze
Metallic Blue
Lightning Black
Pearl White
The TVS Apache RTX 300 features a rugged and aggressive rally-inspired design. The bodywork includes sharp, clean lines suited for adventure riding.
Lighting setup includes:
Sharp DRL blades
Floating main beam reflector
Slim LED tail lamp
The twin headlamps feature adaptive animation, automatically adjusting brightness based on riding speed.
The Apache RTX 300 is powered by a 299.1cc single-cylinder, forward-inclined engine that produces:
36 PS at 9,500 RPM
28.5 Nm torque at 7,000 RPM
Key mechanical highlights include:
6-speed gearbox
Assist and slipper clutch
Ride-by-wire throttle system
The bike is built on a steel trellis frame and features:
Long-travel WP inverted front cartridge forks
Long-travel rear mono-tube suspension with floating piston (MFP)
Adjustable levers enhance overall ergonomics and rider comfort.
At the same Auto9 Awards ceremony, the Aprilia SR 175 was honoured with the ‘Scooter of the Year’ award. The award was presented by Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamta.
The Aprilia SR 175 was first launched in India on 16 July 2025, replacing the SR 160. It brings a larger engine, updated styling, and a new TFT display.
Starting price: Around ₹1.20 lakh
Variants: 2
The Aprilia SR 175 is positioned in the sporty scooter segment and competes with models like the Yamaha Aerox 155.
Engine specifications:
174.7cc BS6 air-cooled engine
13.08 bhp power
14.14 Nm torque
Braking and safety:
Front disc brake
Rear drum brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
The SR 175 retains the aggressive design seen on the SR 160. While the design remains familiar, Aprilia has refreshed the look with new colours and graphics.
Available colour options:
Matte Prismatic Dark
Glossy Tech White
One of the biggest upgrades is the new 5.5-inch colour TFT display, replacing the older LCD unit. The display is similar to the one seen on Aprilia 457 twins and supports Bluetooth connectivity.
Additional features include:
All-LED lighting
USB charging port