The Yamaha FZ series is a global product series and is sold across many countries, more specifically all south Asian countries, albeit with different names. The lowest capacity FZ model, the FZ 150 has been on sale in the Indian and Malaysian markets from 2008 and has sold very well indeed. The FZ 150i was also launched in some other markets like Indonesia and Vietnam earlier this year.
The Yamaha FZ 150i is now known as the V-ixion in the Malaysian market and comes with a host of technical improvements when compared to the previous FZ 150 which is still sold in India. The V-ixion has restyled body panels, Disc brakes on both the wheels, and the biggest change of all is the engine itself. The Indian version comes with an air cooled, carburettored, single cylinder engine but the Malaysian version comes with an advanced, liquid cooled, fuel-injected single cylinder engine.
Yamaha has now showcased a special Moto GP edition of the FZ 150i/V-ixion at a Yamaha sport world event in Hanoi, Vietnam. This special edition has a paint scheme as which resembles that of the Yamaha Moto GP bikes. Mechanically, the motorcycle remains the same as the stock Yamaha V-ixion, but it is the Moto GP livery that really makes this motorcycle stand out in a crowd.
The V-ixion/FZ 150i looks really sporty with the body cowl extending from the fuel tank, with the redesigned engine cowl, a new exhaust cap design etc. It rides on 10 spoked, star shaped alloy wheels and is shod with grippy rubber for enhanced cornering capabilities. Other features include a 3CI fuel injection system and it enables the 150cc single cylinder motor to produce 12.2 KW as compared to 11.1 KW on the previous generation and max torque too has increased from 13.1 NM to 14.5 NM on this model.
The Yamaha FZ150i/V-ixion has been launched in Malaysia at RM 8,538, which is equivalent to approximately Rs. 1,59,579 INR.
