Hero MotoCorp recently unveiled 15 new products that included few updated and new models. Hero MotoCorp was once a part of the highly successful joint venture Hero Honda, which ended in 2010 when Honda decided to work independently. The new launches consisted of a major uplift to the popular Splendor series named Splendor iSmart. The leading motorcycle and scooter manufacturer depends largely on the sales of Splendor, which has received a good response from customers and has set benchmarks for others to follow.
The Splendor iSmart gets the feature of Splendor i3S or the Idle Stop-Start System (called micro hybrid in luxury cars) that shuts down the engine when the vehicle is idle. Interestingly, the system turns on the powertrain when the driver wants to move ahead. This is going to prove highly advantageous for the bike as it would help gain on mileage and fuel efficiency. However, the firm has not revealed the fuel efficiency figures as of now. It also gets a few cosmetic changes such as new body graphics and paint schemes, alloy wheels, electric start and a restyled instrument cluster. While looking at the bike, it would be tough to comprehend that it is basically a version of Splendor. If sources are to be believed, the company may place its upcoming bike at the upper end segment of 100 cc. This bike is expected to give stiff competition to the likes of Bajaj Discover 100T and Mahindra Centuro.
Features provided by the firm are certainly appealing, however, it is yet to be seen if this add-on is going to click with the customers. This is because majority of bike users generally shut down their engines on traffic lights. The bike would not go through any changes in its technical specifications as it retains the 97.2 cc, single-cylinder powertrain that delivers 7.7 bhp of maximum power at 7500 rpm and 8.04 Nm of maximum torque at 4500 rpm. As reported, the Indian automobile major is also working on a new 100 cc engine that might be implemented in the Splendor in the coming future. The bike is expected to hit the market by the year end or early 2014.
The price of iSmart would be around Rs. 3000 more than Super Splendor and would most probably find buyers in semi-urban areas of India. Hero MotoCorp is turning its focus on research and development of its vehicles after its split with Honda. It is all prepared to introduce innovative technologies of cars in its two-wheelers. Significant features to be introduced in its two-wheelers are the engine stop-start system and electronic immobiliser. Engine immobiliser is a security add-on that prevents the engine from running if the correct key is not inserted.
The firm has already applied for the patent of the i3s technology introduced by its Research and Development department. It is going to make its debut with Splendor iSmart and would further be included in other models. Electronic immobiliser would be implemented in the 150 cc bike Extreme whereas the highly popular scooter model Pleasure is also expected to be equipped with linked brakes or Integrated Braking System (IBS). The company officials said that the introduction of these features would help in reducing the costs of its two-wheeler vehicles.
