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Mark Hinchliffe·
Indian MotorcycleBy manufacturerMotorbikes
··3 min read

Indian reveals new liquid cooled engine

New liquid cooled Powerplus – A New Level Of V-Twin Performance From Indian

Indian Motorcycle has unveiled its liquid cooled 1770cc engine with three ride modes called the Powerplus to be fitted to a new line of Challenger motorcycles.

The move was leaked in a video from the company dealer conference in the USA in July and has now been confirmed.

The video was been taken down, but is still available on Motorcycle.com.

Liquid cooled

The video seemed to confirm our tip in April that it would be a 90kW (120hp), liquid-cooled, DOHC 1770cc V-twin engine.

However, it’s slightly more powerful with 91kW (122hp) and 178Nm of torque.

Now Indian has released this official video in which you can hear the engine.

It is believed the quad-valve Powerplus was originally developed as the Victory Freedom V2 before Polaris axed the brand in 2017.

2020 Indian Challenger spy
2020 Indian Challenger spy photo

Liquid cooling should make the engines compliant with the next generation of European emissions targets.

The new liquid cooled Powerplus powered motorcycle range will be smaller than the current 111-cube Thunderstroke V-twin that powers the Chief and Roadmaster models.

Powerplus will be available in chromed and black-out versions.

It is not yet known how many models will be in the range, when they will be released and whether they will replace the Chief and Roadmaster models or be an extra line-up.

2020 liquid Indian Challenger spy bagger
Spy photo of a 2020 Indian Challenger

Here is the official release from Indian:

The PowerPlus will serve as the heart of the new Indian Challenger, an all-new, fixed-fairing bagger that utilises Indian Motorcycle’s state-of-the-art technology to become the highest-performing American V-twin ever developed. The new engine’s name is a nod to Indian Motorcycle’s iconic history, paying homage to the Indian PowerPlus motorcycle produced from 1916 to 1924.

“We challenge our engineers with the notion that anything less than best-in-class design and performance will simply not get it done, and it’s clear with this new engine that they have delivered on that high standard,” said Steve Menneto, Indian Motorcycle President. “Countless hours were spent in design, development and testing to ensure this is the best liquid-cooled V-twin ever developed, and I could not be prouder of our team and this incredible motor.”

The PowerPlus adopts several design and performance features from the liquid-cooled 1,133 cc Indian Scout engine, including an overhead camshaft design utilising four valves per cylinder. But comparisons end there. The PowerPlus was developed with a big-piston, big-torque mindset with an end game of maximum power delivery across the entire curve.

Power Plus Engine – Chrome – Left.

The all-new powertrain features a six-speed transmission with true overdrive, assist clutch to reduce clutch effort, and three ride modes that allow riders to tailor throttle mapping to their riding preferences. Advanced technology also includes hydraulic valve lash adjusters and hydraulic camshaft chain tensioners for ease of maintenance and reliability.

The PowerPlus was tested, refined and proven by one of the industry’s most rigorous development and testing programs, accumulating over one and a half million kilometres of simulated testing, including state-of-the-art dyno testing, and more than 400,000 on-road kilometres.

“You simply cannot deliver the ultimate bagger without an engine that stands head and shoulders above anything else in its class, and that was the motivation behind the PowerPlus,” said John Callahan, Indian Motorcycle Vice President, Engineering. “We developed the most sophisticated V-twin powerplant in the industry, and then we spent month after month, hour upon hour, putting it through the most intense paces to ensure it could take whatever we threw at it. The end result is something truly special.”

Indian Motorcycle PowerPlus Engine Specifications:

  • Engine Displacement: 108 cubic inches (1769 cc)
  • Power: 91kW (122hp) @ 5500rpm
  • Torque: 178Nm @ 3800rpm
  • Maximum Engine Speed: 6500rpm
  • Architecture: 60-degree V-twin, liquid cooled powerplant
  • Crankcase: Unit design featuring a high capacity semi-dry sump oil system
  • Timing System: Overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder
  • Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection. 52mm dual bore throttle bodies
  • Compression Ratio: 11:1
  • Transmission: Six-speed with true overdrive, constant mesh
  • Clutch: Assist clutch