The TVS Flame was a 125 cc motorcycle developed by TVS Motors. It was launched in the Indian market in January 2008 and discontinued in 2012, after TVS launched the Phoenix.
TVS Flame at a glance
| Maker | TVS Motor Company, India |
|---|---|
| Produced | 2008-2012 |
| Class | 125 cc motorcycle |
| Engine | AVL design, patented and licensed to TVS |
| Valves | three, CCVTi technology |
| 0-60 km/h | 6.5 s single spark; 6.1 s twin spark |
| Top speed | about 100 km/h single spark; over 100 km/h twin spark |
| Fuel economy | 79 kmpl, single spark version |
| Design | Deltaedge |
| Replaced by | TVS Phoenix |
The article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia page on the TVS Flame.
History of the TVS Flame
Launch
TVS launched the Flame in the Indian market in January 2008 and discontinued it in 2012, after the Phoenix replaced it in the range. The motorcycle was a 125 cc model developed by TVS Motors.
Design and engine
TVS called its design approach for the Flame Deltaedge, inspired by the delta wing of fighter jets, with design cues built on a triangular theme, including an arrow-shaped headlight. The turn indicators, which TVS named Trafficators, were integrated into the fuel tank scoops. The engine was developed and patented by AVL and licensed to TVS. In single-spark form the Flame did 0-60 km/h in 6.5 seconds and reached almost 100 km/h, with a fuel economy of 79 kmpl; the twin-spark version did 0-60 km/h in 6.1 seconds and managed a top speed in excess of 100 km/h.
The Bajaj dispute
The Flame made news because of a suit filed by Bajaj Auto alleging patent infringement. In September 2007 Bajaj claimed that the Flame’s engine, with two spark plugs, violated its patent number 195904 under the Patents Act. After the Chennai High Court restrained TVS from launching the bike with two spark plugs, TVS launched the Flame with a single spark plug. TVS then stopped production of the single-spark Flame and relaunched the twin-spark version on 13 November 2009.
TVS said the Flame used a three-valve engine based on CCVTi, or Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent, technology, and filed a defamation suit of 250 crore rupees against Bajaj Auto in the Madras High Court to counter the infringement suit. The Madras High Court observed that TVS’s three-valve technology was different from Bajaj’s patented DTSi technology and allowed TVS to use the twin-spark technology in the newly launched Flame. Bajaj then appealed to the Supreme Court. The two companies eventually agreed to settle the dispute, which had been pending for 12 years: they mutually withdrew all proceedings and released each other from all liabilities, claims, demands and actions, with neither company paying compensation or a penalty to the other.
Design and features
- Deltaedge styling: a triangular theme with an arrow-shaped headlight, inspired by fighter-jet delta wings.
- Trafficators: TVS’s name for the turn indicators integrated into the fuel tank scoops.
- AVL engine: developed and patented by AVL, licensed to TVS, with three valves and CCVTi technology.
- Two engine states: a single-spark version of 2008 and a twin-spark version relaunched in November 2009.
TVS Flame versions
- Flame single spark (2008): the version launched after the Chennai High Court ruling, 0-60 km/h in 6.5 s and 79 kmpl.
- Flame twin spark (November 2009): relaunched version, 0-60 km/h in 6.1 s and a top speed above 100 km/h.
The Flame was the smaller stablemate of the TVS Apache, and TVS also built the TVS Scooty and TVS Wego scooters. More models are in the TVS collection.
Video: TVS FLAME SPEED TEST
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- TVS Flame, English Wikipedia: launch, design, performance, patent dispute
