Will Enfield add fuel to the Bajaj-TVS patent row?

Even as the controversy over the small twin-spark plug engines technology that Bajaj Auto has claimed exclusive rights to rages (See: TVS to sue Bajaj for Rs250 crore damages; rolls out 7 new models, launches three 3-wheeler variants), another two-wheeler maker is set to offer a similar engine in its motorcycles.

Royal Enfield, the oldest motorcycle maker in India, has developed a new twin-park engine, reports CNBC-TV18. The 350cc engine will be offered in its Thunderbird, whose launch is expected in two months. The engine''s highlight is the integrated gearbox. (See: Royal Enfield to launch new-engine model and How the Bullet found its mark) Honda also uses twin-spark plug engines abroad.

Royal Enfield has already developed the new engine and is ready and it will find its way into the Thunderbird over the next 8-weeks, said CEO R. L Ravichandran adding that though the Thunderbird engine uses a twin-spark technology engine, it''s totally different from any existing engine of similar technology in the market.

If one looks at Bajaj Auto''s statement today, it has mentioned that it will wait till the launch of any offending product in the market after which it may take any legal action.

So be it the TVS Flame or for that matter any other product, which could be an infringement into its DTSi technology, any action to that effect will be taken only after the launch.

But despite its twin-spark technology engine, the highlight of this engine will be integrated gearbox with the engine. So far Royal Enfield is the only motorcycle which has a engine and the gearbox two separate units and this will be the first time that Royal Enfield will have engine which has an integrated gear box.

But nonetheless, twin spark technology is also a first in its engine line up and that could be an interesting point.