Hero MotoCorp unveiled its first in-house developed bike, the Splendor iSmart 110, at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo today. The world's largest 2-wheeler manufacturer also unveiled 3 other vehicles, in the presence of Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor - premium segment sports bike Xtreme 200 S, design concept bike XF3R, and an electric scooter concept Duet-E.
Last year, the company had launched 2 scooters, Maestro Edge and Duet, which were the first scooters to have been developed by Hero on new platforms through its in-house technology.
"After achieving a significant milestone in our solo journey last year with the successful launch of the first of our in-house developed scooters, we are now setting our sights on developing smarter products for a global audience," Hero MotoCorp CMD Pawan Munjal.
In the promos shown today for the Hero Splendor iSmart 110, it was mentioned that you need to "fill it, shut it and forget it." That is the bikemaker's homage to the first four-stroke 100cc bike launched in the '80s - the Hero Honda CD100, in a way. That marketing tag line and the bike's fuel efficiency catapulted the CD100 to a bestseller and even in later years, the Hero Splendor was based on the same engine of the CD100. The success of that engine along with that of the Splendor contributed to Hero becoming the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world.
The company said the 4 products unveiled at in the 2016 Auto Expo have been developed keeping in mind both the domestic and global markets.
The Splendor iSmart 110 is powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke 110cc engine. The engine is mated to a 4-speed gearbox.
Meanwhile, the Hero Xtreme 200 S is meant to showcase the company's directional guidance on future products in the super-premium category. It comes packed with enhanced performance and assured riding capabilities with a rear mono-suspension and safety features such as ABS. It is powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke 200cc engine and has a 5-speed gearbox.
The XF3R provides a glimpse into the future of Hero's design and development for performance sports bikes beyond 250cc.
Besides, the electric scooter concept, Duet-E, is aimed at providing a comfortable, convenient, and environmentally-friendly commuting option. The scooter has been based on the current production series scooter, the Duet, to make it cost effective.
