The Japanese motorcycle manufacturing giant Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd’s Brazilian subsidiary recently launched the new facelifted iteration of its premium low-capacity urban motorcycle – the FZ15 in the Brazilian domestic market. The company has given the FZ15 its annual facelift following which it now comes with some mechanical as well as minor cosmetic updates.
In terms of changes, the new FZ15 now gets a whole new front fascia and other superficial upgrades. The most significant change in the front is the new Full LED headlamp setup which now resembles the FZ-25 that is currently on sale in India. Other than this the rest of the bike is pretty much the same as the outgoing V3 model. It continues to boast the faux air vents on its aggressive and masculine fuel tank. It also gets the same single-piece seat and a short exhaust. As for the colours, the new FZ15 is available from Yamaha in Brazil in three colours: Racing Blue, Midnight Black and Magma Red.
On the mechanical side of changes, the new FZ in Brazil comes powered by a 149cc single-cylinder engine, just like the FZ V3 in India. However, Yamaha has made substantial changes to the motor for 2023. Yamaha has introduced its new Blueflex system to the FZ15 and now it can run on both – petrol and ethanol. And now instead of only producing 12.2 horsepower in petrol mode, it can now make 12.4 bhp in ethanol mode. The torque statistics, however, have decreased from 13.3Nm to 12.7Nm. The Indian-spec Yamaha FZ V3 produces 12.4 horsepower and 13.3 nm in contrast.
As of yet, no official news of the bike’s India launch has surfaced online but speculations are that it could be coming to the nation later this year or early next year. Once launched the bike will be competing against the likes of the Suzuki Gixxer, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160.
In other Yamaha news, earlier in August, the company launched the 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition models. These models included the Supersport YZF-R15M, the Dark Warrior MT-15 V2.0, the Maxi-sports Scooter AEROX 155 and the RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid scooter. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition model range is available at all the premium Blue Square outlets in India.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition, motorcycle model range – YZF-R15M & MT-15 V2.0 showcases the Yamaha MotoGP branding on the tank shrouds, the fuel tank and side panels, outlining its Racing background. Whereas the AEROX 155 and the RayZR Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition get Yamaha MotoGP branding on the overall body.
Speaking on the launch of the new models, Eishin Chihana Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of companies said, “Yamaha is known for its strong racing DNA in international motorsports. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition livery is the perfect representation of our commitment towards offering a model range that showcases this proud lineage. This year our performance in MotoGP has been exceptional with Fabio Quartararo maintaining his lead in rider standings. This also portrays Yamaha’s unmatched engineering and technological prowess. At Yamaha, our objective is to help our customers experience the same level of excitement being witnessed in global racing. Today, we are glad to introduce 4 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition models for our customers who are passionate MotoGP fans ignited by the spirit of racing. Going forward, the company will continue to introduce more such exciting products as a part of its brand commitment to India.”