In a playful nod to its storied past, Royal Enfield is charging into the electric motorcycle market by bringing back an iconic name: the Flying Flea. Motorcycle fans are buzzing with excitement as the legendary brand announces its entry into electrics.

The original Flying Flea, a lightweight and agile bike, famously parachuted into World War II, zipping British forces around behind enemy lines. Now, over 75 years later, Royal Enfield is reviving this beloved model—only this time, it’s powered by watts, not petrol.

In a clever ad, Royal Enfield captures the heritage and modern appeal of the Flying Flea. The ad shows a bike enthusiast spotting the Flea descending via parachute in a modern cityscape—a symbolic salute to its military roots. Moments later, he’s soaring through the clouds, a nod to the bike’s lightweight, nimble design. Subtle? Maybe not, but it’s got charm!

Royal Enfield isn’t just testing the electric waters; they’re diving in with a hefty Rs 1,500 crore investment. Two new models will launch under the Flying Flea name: the C6, a classic design beloved by fans, and the S6, a scrambler-style head-turner. Production is set to kick off at a dedicated EV facility with a massive capacity of 150,000 units per year. Initially, though, the first bikes will roll out from their Orgadam plant.

A team of 200 engineers across India and the UK is ensuring the new Flying Flea is as impressive in performance as it is in style. Parent company Eicher Motors has also invested in Stark Future, a Spanish leader in high-performance electric motorcycles, marking the start of a promising collaboration.

The Flying Flea’s international debut is planned for 2026, and while India will have to wait a bit longer, anticipation is already high. It’s easy to imagine the ghost of the original wartime bike smiling as its namesake prepares to quietly zip through city streets.

Author: Sonali kamble