Typically
strong TVS hallmarks continued in even greater vein!
Make
no mistake, the new Fiero F2 retains the strong engineering
which so distinguished the original motor. Today the 147.5cc
single overhead cam motor has been retained in toto barring
certain crucial detail changes which have seen
 |
 |
| Super
smooth 147.5cc Suzuki designed and developed two-valve
sohc four-stroke single has been worked upon by the
TVS R&D team to squeeze out near enough the same
torque but at a lower engine speed thereby improving
tractability and Fuel Efficiency without sacrificing straight line Performance.
Lack of fifth speed is puzzling. |
power
and torque being slightly reworked to peak at different
engine speeds. The engine still breathes via a Mikuni BS26
CV carburettor but the compression ratio has now been marginally
boosted to 9.4:1 from the previous 9.2:1. Max power developed
remains constant at 12bhp but this is now produced 500 revs
lower at 7000rpm. The intake and the exhaust have been slightly
retuned and there is also an air injection system placed
into the circuit which helps produce peak torque of 10.5Nm
at 6500rpm. The TVS boffins who are renowned for their engine
wizardry have worked to enhance the low end torque which
definitely makes its presence felt in slow speed pick-up
when pottering on in tight traffic conditions.
Just like in its previous avatar, the Fiero F2’s engine
employs a digital CDI ignition system but it now dispenses
with its automatic advance curves and employs the Victor’s
switch activated ignition system which works on throttle
movement to activate one of two ignition maps for Performance or Fuel Efficiency.
Another area where the techies turned on their charm was
in the gearbox. The second and third gear ratios have been
revised on the F2 which helps effect new shift points for
the better, especially knowing the fact that the research
TVS resorted to suggested that they could yet get the Performance and thrust with a four-speed ’box. While the bike
performed impeccably with us during our Performance tests and such, all of us in our editorial team as also
many who asked us about the bike were disappointed that
TVS had not utilised the time and effort to provide a five-speeder.
By that same logic espoused by the TVS engineers, then the
three-speed unit in the Rajdoots should have been the best
bet if one didn’t want to shift frequently. |
