With an objective to retain the top-spot in the market, the world's leading two-wheeler maker - Hero MotoCorp - is planning to bring in several all-new and facelifted products in the market in 2015. Here's a list of the all new bikes that Hero will launch within the next 12 months.
2015 Hero Impulse
The Hero Impluse, India's first ever on-off road bike, has always been known for its commendable engine performance and refinement level. The 2015 Impulse is expected to be a lot better in terms of power and performance. It is being said that, Hero is aiming to improve the power performance of the off-roader and is also working on its new mechanism. Erik Buell Racing (EBR), Hero's new technology partner, will also offer technical support for the new power-packed Impluse. Powering the new Hero Impluse could be an all new engine, or the Karizma R's 223cc engine.
Engine: Either an all new engine or Karizma R's 223cc engine
Expected launch: Mid/ Late 2015
Expected price: Rs. 90, 000 - Rs. 1 lakh
The Hero HX250R, unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, has been developed by Hero MotoCorp and Erik Buell Racing (EBR). The HX250R is powered by a new 249cc, 4-stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine, which produces a maximum power of 31bhp with a peak torque of 26Nm. The upcoming HX250R is Hero's first bike to get a 6-speed manual transmission. It has a fuel tank capacity of 12.5-litre. The bike's lightweight will help it maintain an optimum power-to-weight ratio, thus delvering a great performance. The bike will get the powerful Combi brake system, while ABS (Antilock braking system) might be optional. The Hero HX250R will take on the likes of Honda CBR 250R, KTM RC390, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Yamaha R3.
Engine: 249cc, 31bhp, 26Nm
Expected launch: Mid 2015
Expected price: Rs. 1.5 lakh - Rs. 2.0 lakh
Hero Hastur, first unveiled as a 600cc street-naked concept at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, was jointly developed by Hero and its new technology partner Erik Buell Racing. The bike has been designed keeping in mind the company's global markets. The front headlight with two projector lamps, muscular tank with black casting under the bikes electrical, bar end mirrors mounted on either side of the alloy-finished flat handlebars, sporty velvet-finished seats with fancy yellow stitching design most of the bodywork. The aggressive styling and minimalistic bodywork further complement its street-naked look. The showcased version also features Hero's 'geoesic tubular chassis' composed of a trellis frame and trellis swingarm. It gets inverted forks at front and a monoshock at the rear. The concept bike is powered by a 620cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled and parallel-twin engine with a patented CSI cylinder head. It produces a maximum power of 78bhp at 9600rpm. This fuel-injected engine accelerates 0-100Km/h in 3.8 seconds with a top-speed of 240Km/h. Power will be delivered by a 6-speed transmission. The Hero Hastur will compete against the Kawasaki ER-6n, Triumph Street Triple and Honda CB500F.
Engine: 620cc, 78bhp, 72Nm
Expected launch: Late 2015
Expected price: Rs. 4 lakh - Rs. 5 lakh
Also Read: Hero's Upcoming Scooters For India in 2015
Hero Zir is a sporty maxi-scooter, which was unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo. The scooter will be offered in two variants - the flat floorboard and a 'European style' step-through. The all-new Hero ZIR will be powered by a 157cc single-cylinder engine that features 2-valve, 4-stroke and a liquid cooling system. It will churn out a maximum power of 13.8bhp at 8500rpm and 12.7Nm of torque at 7000rpm. What makes it a more premium product is the European-styled step seat, dual projector lamps with daytime running lights, sporty front protection screen, bright LED winkers and tail lamp, a digital-analog console, flower type disc plates and integrated pillion handle. The ZIR will offer advanced connectivity features too.
Engine: 157cc, 13.8bhp, 12.7Nm
Expected launch: Q1, 2015
Expected price: Rs. 75, 000 - Rs. 90, 000
India's first indigenous electric-hybrid scooter, Hero Leap Hybrid, had made its debut as a concept at 2012 Auto Expo. Since the Leap will be launched globally, it has been developed keeping exactly that in mind. The electric-hybrid scooter is likely to be Hero's first product for the European market and will feature an 8kW Permanent magnet AC (PMAC) motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. The company claims that the traction motor helps it deliver a peak torque of 60Nm. For improving the rev-range of the scooter, a 124cc fuel-injected petrol engine is also equipped that is said to cover 340Km on a single charge. It has a fuel tank capacity of 3-litre. The electronic speed limit of the Leap is 100Km/h while running with the range extender.
Engine: 124cc, 10.7bhp, 60Nm
Expected launch: Early 2015
Expected price: Rs. 75, 000 - Rs. 1.10 lakh
