2018 Indian Chieftain Elite launched at Rs 38 lakh; limited to 350 units worldwide

Indian Motorcycle has allocated a limited number of Chieftain Elite for India. Each model comes with a unique colour scheme that takes 25 hours to paint by a specialised team at its US plant.

American premium bike maker Indian Motorcycle has added a new top-of-the-line model to its Chieftain range in India. Christened Chieftain Elite, the premium bagger model has been priced at Rs 38 lakh (ex-showroom). The 2018 Chieftain Elite is manufactured in the US and will be brought to India as a completely built unit (CBU).

Indian Motorcycle had revealed the 2018 Chieftain Elite in March and it is limited to 350 units worldwide. The highlight of the 2018 Chieftain Elite is the stunning paint scheme dubbed as Black Hills Silver colour. The paint scheme has been inspired by the silver mines in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the US.

A specialised team of Indian Motorcycle hand-sprays each Chieftain Elite with each model taking nearly 25 hours. The company claims each model will not look identical due to the level of human touch involved.

In addition to the unique paint finish, the 2018 Indian Chieftain Elite comes loaded with a 200-watt premium audio system, a push-button power flare windshield, billet aluminium rider and passenger floorboards and genuine leather seats. The 19-inch, 10-spoke, contrast-cut front wheel adds exclusivity.

An array of other features such as Ride Command (largest, fastest, most customisable infotainment system on two wheels), seven-inch glove-compatible touchscreen, and customisable rider information screens come standard in the 2018 Chieftain Elite.

On the safety front, the premium bagger gets ABS, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, remote-locking saddlebags and keyless ignition.

Being a member of the Chieftain family, the motorcycle is powered by the same Thunderstroke 111 V-twin engine which is a 1,811 cc unit that belts out 161.6Nm at 3,000 rpm. Though the company is tight-lipped about the power figure, reports claim it is above 100bhp.

Indian Motorcycle will also offer colour-matched accessories including a quick release trunk, hard lower fairings and a decorative front fender with the Chieftain Elite for an additional cost.

The 2018 Chieftain Elite is the second premium limited edition model from Indian Motorcycle in India this year. The company had launched the 2018 Roadmaster Elite in March for a whopping Rs 48 lakh (ex-showroom).