The Zapp i300 performance electric city bike has been awarded the Excellent Product Design award in the motorcycle category in the 2023 German Design Awards, with the independent jury of design experts commending the i300’s ‘outstanding design quality’.

Pricing for the most off-road ready V-Strom yet, the all-new V-Strom 800DE, has been announced at £10,499. 

Powered by Suzuki’s new 776cc, long-stroke, DOHC, parallel twin with a 270° crank, the V-Strom 800DE is born to explore and is equipped with a host of electronic rider aids and chassis features designed to help it tackle the rough stuff, as well as ensure it remains capable and usable on the road, too. 

Suzuki’s new powerplant delivers 84.3PS peak power at 8500rpm and 78Nm of peak torque at 6800rpm in the new V-Strom, though riders can choose their preferred power delivery thanks to three selectable engine maps, controlled by a rocker switch on the left handlebar and displayed on a 5-inch colour TFT screen.

Also displayed on the dash in the selected traction control mode, with three on-road modes available to choose from and a G mode, for use off-road, that allows more wheelspin, which is suppressed only enough to help prevent excessive slip, so power continues to be delivered to the rear wheel with minimum interruption. It can also be disengaged completely. 

There are also two ABS settings, providing greater or lesser intervention, plus there is the ability to disengage the rear ABS for improved confidence and control off-road, and a bi-directional quickshifter for seamless gear changes.

A new steel frame with bolt-on subframe and aluminium swingarm is suspended by fully-adjustable Showa components providing 220mm of travel and ground clearance. That ground clearance also comes courtesy of 21 and 17-inch wire-spoked wheels, front and back, running tubed Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Wide aluminium ‘bars and tough steel footpegs are designed to provide greater control when stood up off-road. 

All this is wrapped in unmistakable a new, sharper, taughter incarnation of V-Strom stylinge, complete with a DR-Z-esque beak, and comes in the classic yellow that pays homage to Suzuki’s off-road racing heritage. The V-Strom 800DE is also available in a striking matt grey, with yellow accents, and subtle black, with blue.

It will be in dealerships in the spring.

Over 600 guests attended Ben Ball 2022 for a spectacular evening which raised over £120,000 in vital life-saving funds to support members of the automotive community who are struggling or in crisis.  

No-one should have to choose between heating or eating this Christmas so Ben, the automotive industry charity, has launched a Christmas families project to support individuals and their families who are in financial difficulty or urgent need.

Suzuki has announced pricing for its all-new GSX-8S, with the parallel twin-powered naked coming with an RRP of £7,999 when it arrives in the spring. 

The new-from-the-ground-up GSX-8S has a long-stroke 776cc parallel twin engine at its heart, with a 270° crank, designed to deliver punchy torque and a flexible character, while four valves per cylinder and a double overhead cam enable a free-revving nature. 

With the GSX-8S born to thrill, that engine is wrapped in an all-new frame, with a separate tubular steel subframe, aluminium swingarm, 43mm upside down front forks and rear shock from KYB, lightweight aluminium wheels, shod with 120 front and 180 rear Dunlops – and wide, tapered, aluminium ‘bars providing a blend of stable roadholding and agility and flickability. Radially-mounted calipers and 310mm discs provide the stopping power. 

Enhancing the riding experience further is a full-colour TFT screen, which displays settings linked to the new machines bi-directional quickshifter, its three-mode traction control system – which can be switched off – and three selective power modes. 

Styling is unmistakably GSX-S, and is angular and futuristic, while bright, light blue wheels and subframe on the pearl cosmic blue and pearl tech white versions are striking accents. There’s also a matt and sparkle black option. Upfront, stacked hexagonal LED headlights and LED running lights all contribute to a slim, compact, and aggressive stance, while bold graphics make for a contemporary look. 

The GSX-8S will be in authorised Suzuki dealerships in the spring.