Definitely the most beautiful ‘Bullet’ of our times, Royal Enfield has launched the ‘Bullet Classic’ 500 EFI at the Cologne Internation bike show. ‘Bullet’, the longest running model in continuous production since 1932, keeps its authentic vintage styling and the brilliant one color appearance from the yesteryears and combines it with newer technology from today. The new ‘Bullet Classic’ 500 EFI conforms to the G2 bullets of the early 1950’s retaining the quintessential classic British style of  post worldwar II  times with the same front and rear mudguard, the headlight casing, the fuel tank, the oval tool box, the exhaust fins, speedomter dials, single-seat spring saddle, tail light assembly and the headlamp cap.

The UCE (Unitary Construction Engine) 500cc engine is inspired by the ‘Clipper 250′ engine from Royal Enfield from the older times and retains the pushrod construction but comes with electronic fuel injection and develops a healthy 27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm and a massive 41.2 nm of torque @ 4000 rpm. According to Royal Enfield, these figures are good enough to give the bike a cruising speed of 70 mph. The claimed fuel efficiency is 3.5 L/100 kms which equates to around 29 kmpl, which is very decent for a bike with 500cc single cylinder engine.

The bike also comes with electric start as standard and a 280 mm Disc brake at the front. The bike is available in 3 colors - Red, Black and Green. Royal Enfield will launch the Bullet Classic in Germany next month followed by a pan European launch in 2009. There is no word from Royal Enfield on the Indian launch.

This is one Bullet which anyone would like to lay his/her hands on, even the most hardened of the brand’s critics, because just look at it…. its Beautiful! Thank you RE!

Jump over for gallery images of the Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI