Scooters form one of the major segments in the Indian two wheeler market and we are in for a treat in 2016 with a slew of new launches.
Scooters form one of the major segments in the Indian two wheeler market and we are in for a treat in 2016 with a slew of new launches. The new scooters are set to be more powerful, offering better performance than the current crop available in the market. They might also break new frontiers in scooter technology by showcasing new technologies. Here are a list of upcoming scooters soon launching in India:
1) Mahindra Gusto 125 cc
When the Gusto was first launched, it had a lot of revolutionary new features like seat height adjust ability, follow me lamps and flip key, a feature that’s not available even in entry level hatches. The Gusto had a 110 cc engine doing duty providing enough power and decent fuel economy. Due to the heavier kerb weight than its rivals, performance is a bit on the slow side, also the mileage figures were not that impressive too.
So how do you solve all these issues? By getting a new engine, one that’s larger and more powerful offering better efficiency numbers too. So the Gusto gets a new 125 cc power plant that will have about 9 to 9.5 bhp on tap. To let others know you are getting the more powerful Gusto, some cosmetic tweaks to the body and new alloys will be there as well. The new Mahindra Gusto 125 cc is a good update to the scooter increasing its overall value.
Hero MotoCorp Leap Hybrid Scooter Concept at the 2012 Auto Expo
2) Hero Leap
Hero is going in an all new direction by offering bikes like the HX250R and the Splendor i-Smart bike (with a start stop technology), new bikes from the ground up. After sports-bikes and commuter bikes, Hero has turned its eyes to the scooter segment, aka the Leap and what’s special about it? it’s a hybrid. There is a 124 cc petrol engine and an 8 kW electric motor, all adding up to a power figure of about 20 bhp and close to 70 Nm of torque. With two engines, the kerb weight is about 140 kg but you can cross the 100 kilometre per hour barrier without much strain.
Hero Leap Headlights Instrument Console
Like with all hybrids, the petrol motor charges up the batteries on the move so you won’t run out of electric juice in the middle of your journey, if you want to cruise about silently. You can also charge up the batteries from a standard wall point too. As the scooter is a powerful one, there is a 240 mm twin piston Brembo disc brakes at the front for confident stopping power. The Hero Leap won’t be a cheap scooter at launch, but it’s a huge technological leap for the company and an option for the eco conscious riders.
Vespa Liberty Blue
3) Vespa Liberty
Vespas have a classic retro charm to them and that is seen on all the models currently available in India. And the Liberty takes all that and adds a bit of 21st century to the design, also stylish alloy wheels too. The design is completely new with a high placed sharper front mud guard and wrap around rear lights with a motorcycle like rear tyre hugger. Seat is also nicely curved for ergonomic comfort to your hind. Other features include an anti theft immobilizer and a modern instrument cluster showing all the info that you need.
Vespa Liberty Tail
Another new aspect about the bike will be the 150 cc engine outputting around 11.5 bhp, so you won’t feel the lack of power out on the open road. A 240 mm front disc brake helps you keep all the extra bhps in check enabling you to stop without any fusses. Telescopic forks at the front and a rear monoshock should provide adequate ride comfort and handling. Underseat storage is also decent at 10.8 litres and you get a lockable compartment at the front for additional stowing away. The Piaggio Liberty should also get three new color options (Blu Midnight, Bianco Perla, Nero Grafite and Marrone Onix) here in India.
Hero Dare 125 Side Red
4) Hero Dare
Hero plans to cement its position as India’s number one selling two wheeler and has set sights on the currently hot selling scooter segment, the 125 cc one. Another new offering soon to hit the Hero showrooms will be the Dare, a scooter bearing a resemblance to Honda’s Dio and Yamaha Ray, with the body mounted headlight. In the concept, the turn indicators had a unique arrangement and would be a nice touch if it made it to the production model. Rear is dominated by the brake lights like on the Dio and Ray with a prominent brake light at the centre and large turn indicators.
The console of the Hero Dare
Also at the rear is a smartly integrated grab handle that’s body coloured and a matte finished exhaust. Hero Dare also comes with alloy wheels, adding to the style quotient and a fake air intake like opening near the instrument console cowl. Coming to the engine department, its a 125 cc engine that’s 15 cc more than its targeted competition. So it translates to more power at 9.3 bhp and a handy 9.8 Nm of torque. Suspension is front forks and twin springs at the rear so the ride should be nice. The Dare also get’s a front disc which will hopefully be a standard fitment. Hero Dare will be launched by the first half of 2016 and priced competitively too.
5) Honda Lead
Except for the Dio, all of Honda’s scooters have a traditional design. The Activa moniker stands for practical styling and now Honda wants to target the younger audience, who give priority for looks too. And that’s where the Lead comes into the party, a younger more sharper alternative to the Activa 125. At the front you still get the V shaped chromed strip with integrated turn indicators, like the Activa 125, but on the Lead it’s a bit more stylish. It lends a premium touch to the scooter giving it a distinguished look among the other ‘look at me’ designs sported by its competition.
Five spoke alloys add more style to the scooter and full LED rear lights. Coming to the heart of the matter, the Honda Lead will use the same engine as the Activa 125 albeit with a new technology called ‘Smart Power’ similar to HET (Honda Eco Technology), reducing engine friction increasing fuel economy. With 11.3 bhp of power and 11.6 Nm of torque performance will be decent. There is also a start/stop system that turns off the engine when idling to save on fuel and generous under seat storage of about 37 litres for all your essentials. When the Honda Lead gets launched this year it will be an interesting choice in the Indian scooter market.
6) Hero Zir
Scooters are set to get more powerful in 2016 and Hero wants to get ahead of that race before others come to the party with the Zir. Like the Hastur, the Zir might also be intended for import into foreign markets. Powered by a 157 cc liquid cooled single cylinder engine, you can go above hundred km/hr on the speedo with figures of about 14 bhp and 12.7 Nm of torques. The Zir has a kerb weight of about 140 kgs and has some serious power on tap too, so discs do duty in the braking department both at the front and rear.
Hero ZIR Tail Light
Coming to the looks, it looks completely different than all the current offerings in the scooter segment, especially from the front. You get a big chunky fairing with a large windscreen that will shelter the rider and most likely the pillion from wind blast. Large wheels, wide front forks and twin rear suspension should make the scooter decent to handle too. The seats are also nice and ergonomic and should provide comfort while spending time on the saddle. Dual front projector headlamps should offer enough lighting at night and a clearance of 155 millimetres should prevent any underbelly scratching. Hero Zir will be a good choice for those wanting a bit more power and the convenience of an automatic scooter.
7) Piaggio Fly 125
Piaggio is known in India for being associated with the Vespa name and now they plan to launch a new range of scooters that are less retro and easy on the wallet too. The Fly 125 plans to target the current segment leader, Activa 125 and will be priced accordingly in the 55 to 60,000 range. The scooter won’t have the looks of the Vespa series but that doesn’t mean the design’s going to be all functional and no focus on form. The matte finished spear shaped piece at the front with a chrome boundary adds a nice touch to the front. Piaggio logo also looks cool.
At the heart will be a 125 cc engine having power figures around 9 bhp and similar torque figures too. So performance will be sprightly for zipping around town and also hit the highways at stable speeds of 60 kph. You get lots of under seat storage to stowaway a helmet and optional extras like smoked windshield, leg cover, electronic alarm etc. Front disc brake is also standard along with an engine kill switch like on bikes and an analogue /digital instrument cluster. When launched, the Fly 125 will offer a more affordable Italian option in the scooter market.
Honda PCX 125 showcased during Indian Auto Expo 2014.
8) Honda PCX
If you ask a layman to name a scooter, chances for the answer to be Honda Activa are very likely. Launched in 2000, the Activa made the Honda name a household one in scooters, and ever since then has been the largest selling two wheeler in the Indian market. To remain ahead of the curve and maintain the dominance you need to launch new products and continue the momentum. And that brings us to the Honda PCX, a whole new category of sports scooters, lightweight and powerful.
Powering the PCX will be a 153cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, liquid cooled, fuel injected petrol motor churning out a maximum of 13.4bhp at 8,500rpm and 14Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm. With an eight litre fuel tank and a start stop system, fuel stops will be less frequent. In spite of the large dimensions, the scooter weighs about 130 kilograms so it won’t be a handful. A large windscreen protects the rider from wind blast and a long ergonomic seat all makes the saddle of the Honda PCX a nice place to spend time.
So which one caught your fancy?
Voice your opinions in the comments section below.
Related Posts