Kawasaki Z300 Unveiled in India With Ninja 300 Engine

BMW India has officially commenced order intake for the brand-new M2 xDrive Turbo Edition, serving as a modern homage to the 1973 BMW 2002 turbo. Customers can pre-order the vehicle across authorized BMW dealerships nationwide starting today, with units strictly limited and allocations assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Meanwhile, pricing details are expected to be disclosed in the coming weeks. Concurrently, Kawasaki has showcased the Z300 naked streetfighter at an event in Bangalore, mirroring design cues from the larger Z900.

BMW M2 xDrive Turbo Edition Exterior and Heritage Design

The ultra-exclusive BMW M2 xDrive Turbo Edition comes painted exclusively in Alpine White, echoing one of the two original paint finishes offered on the 1973 BMW 2002 turbo. The historic 2002 Turbo sedan was launched during the 1973 global oil crisis and gained fame as the first series-production passenger car featuring an exhaust gas turbocharger, originally aimed at reducing fuel consumption. Today, well-kept historical examples command values well over 100,000 Euros.

The modern tribute features hand-painted BMW Motorsport stripes, a blackened power dome on the bonnet, and the iconic reversed ‘turbo’ script on the bonnet—originally designed to signal drivers ahead via rearview mirrors. Additional elements include a bespoke ‘turbo’ emblem beneath the M2 badge, M stripes flowing across the bonnet, a carbon-fibre roof and tailgate, and a carbon-fibre rear spoiler. Buyers can also opt for 19/20-inch Gold Bronze M Performance forged wheels to complete the heritage-inspired appearance.

Interior, Powertrain and Performance Specs

Inside the cabin, the M2 xDrive Turbo Edition incorporates M Carbon bucket seats, an M Alcantara steering wheel, carbon-fibre interior trim, and an exclusive ‘turbo’ badge integrated into the centre cupholder cover. Under the hood resides a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 480hp and 600Nm of torque. Power is transmitted through an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission to all four wheels via an all-wheel-drive layout.

Due to the AWD setup, the sports coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in a claimed 3.7 seconds—0.3 seconds quicker than the rear-wheel-drive variant—and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph, or 285 kmph when equipped with the optional M Driver’s Package. This marks the second M2 special edition to feature xDrive following the 100 Jahre Nurburgring Edition.

Kawasaki Z300 Preview and Launch Timeline

Turning to two wheels, Kawasaki recently showcased the Z300 in Bangalore. The motorcycle is powered by the same 296cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine found in the Ninja 300, delivering 39hp and 26.1Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It features relaxed ergonomics with a wide, upright single-piece handlebar and upgrades to a TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity, replacing the semi-digital unit on the Ninja 300. The Z300 will be offered in Green and Black colour options.

Following the Bangalore debut, identical preview showcases are scheduled for Mumbai and Pune on October 18. Official bookings commence on October 19, while technical specifications, variant details, and pricing will be published on Kawasaki’s official website on October 20.

Market Implications and Buyer Guidance

For automotive collectors and enthusiasts in India, the allocation of the BMW M2 xDrive Turbo Edition on a first-come, first-served basis means immediate action is necessary through authorized dealerships. For motorcycle buyers, the Kawasaki Z300 enters the market where the faired Ninja 300 currently retails at an ex-showroom price of Rs 3.34 lakh. If Kawasaki prices the naked Z300 around the sub Rs 3 lakh mark, it could present an alternative to rivals like the KTM 390 Duke and TVS Apache RTR 310, bringing superior mechanical refinement even if it trails in outright performance and chassis specification.