Hero MotoCorp will likely launch the company’s first ever indigenously developed motorcycle, the Splendor iSmart 110 in April. The motorcycle will come with i3S, or integrated start-stop system, as a feature to help save fuel in city conditions.
In terms of design, the Splendor iSmart 110 carries a different design philosophy compared to Hero’s other offerings, and a two tone paint scheme. The headlamp and mirrors gets an edgy design in tune with the rest of the bodywork. The frame, exhaust and the engine have been blacked out.
The motorcycle will come with an air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke 110cc engine, which makes 8.9bhp at 7,500rpm and 9Nm at 5,500rpm. The engine will be mated to a four-speed gear box. The i3S technology automatically cuts power to engine, whenever the gearbox is slotted into neutral for more than a few seconds. This means that whenever you stop at a traffic signal, i3S will turn off the engine for you as soon as you get into neutral. Once the signal turns green, all you need to do is pull the clutch and the engine will start by itself.
The Hero Splendor iSmart is expected to be priced between Rs 52000 and Rs 55000 (ex-showroom). In terms of competition, it goes up against the TVS Victor and the Honda Livo.
