Apart from the 2018 Super Splendor, Hero MotoCorp also unveiled the new Passion Pro and Passion XPro for the Indian market. The new 2018 Passion duo receive revised styling, and a (relatively) bigger engine which is aimed to compete against the existing crop of 110cc motorcycles in the Indian market. Here are all the details, features, technical specifications and first impressions of the new 2018 Hero Passion Pro and Passion XPro.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Pro Design and Styling
The main factor that differentiates the Passion Pro and the Passion XPro is how the two motorcycles look. The Passion Pro is the simpler looking version among the two. While the typical Passion family silhouette is evident, the new 2018 Passion Pro features a redesigned fuel tank that now gets prominent recesses to lock in the legs.
Moreover, save for the new pair of front blinkers, the fascia remains identical to the outgoing model although it now features a All Time Headlamp On unit. But the biggest changes are evident on the sides. The side and rear panel are no longer a single unit and the new setup looks leaner and more appealing than the outgoing model. The exhaust heat shield design gets an upgrade too while the outlet now features a chrome tip. The design is concluded by a new, sleek tail light at the rear.
The instrument console, apart from the existing Digital-Analog setup with digital fuel gauge and trip meter, now gets a side-stand indicator. The motorcycle is available in five colour options and buyers can opt between Drum and Disc variants.
The motorcycle, as aforementioned, is the simpler looking version among the two and if you want something that relatively stylish, check out the Passion XPro.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion XPro Design and Styling
The new 2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion XPro gets a few more design elements over the Passion Pro which are aimed to appeal to the young buyers. The fuel tank, for example, gets relatively muscular appearance with the added shrouds.
The headlight, with All Time Headlight On feature, extends even further as compared to the Passion Pro. The blinkers are quite different and stylish too, and so is the instrument console that looks visually appealing that the standard Passion Pro. The rear view mirrors get a dual tone finish while the side and the rear panels are beefier than the Passion Pro. The exhaust, unlike the Passion Pro, gets a single tone finish. The rear of the new motorcycle is completed by LED tail light and a tyre hugger.
Dimensionally, the Passion XPro is marginally beefier than the Pro. It’s longer and wider than the Passion Pro and features an extended swingarm which gives it a slightly stretched wheelbase.
Both the motorcycles share the same switchgear which honestly feels a bit dated and needs an overhaul. The optional USB port which is available as accessory is a neat addition while the underseat box can save your smartphone from elements like water and dirt as you charge your device on the go.
Selecting between the two is a matter of personal choice. Personally, I’d opt for the simple looking Passion Pro.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Engine, Performance and Braking
Both motorcycles get a marginal bump in displacement and now feature a 110cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, Torque-on-Demand engine which is tuned to deliver 9.4 PS of power @ 7500 rpm and 9 Nm of peak torque @ 5500 rpm. That’s 12% more power and torque over the previous generation’s 8.36 PS and 8.05 Nm. The engine comes mated to a four-speed gearbox which felt smooth through our short ride.
The i3S technology comes as standard and helps achieve relatively better fuel economy in bumper-to-bumper traffic or signals. The engine feels smooth in low and mid range while the top end comes with a few vibrations on the footpegs and handlebar. So while you can cruise at city speed limits without much fuss, it’d give you some tough time on the highways. Just like the Super Splendor, we could not pinpoint the exact revs where the vibrations start creeping in due to the absence of a tachometer.
Both, the Passion Pro and the Passion XPro are available with the optional 240 mm disc brake front disc brake which offer extra bite compared to the drum units.
There’s very little to complaint about and the new Passion duo does everything that a regular commuter would expect from his motorcycle in the daily run. If you’re wondering how comfortable it is, read ahead for the ride quality assessment.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Ride Quality
The motorcycle features the typical commuter style rider’s triangle and thus you’d get comfortable and upright ergonomics. The Passion Pro, however gets a softer suspension setup while the Passion XPro feels relatively stiffer given that it has been designed to be sportier than the former, but it isn’t something that’d break your back. The saddle padding made the ride comfortable but then again, we had the motorcycles with us for a limited period and the test ride was rather short. Thus, we’d hold our thoughts till we ride the motorcycle for a longer duration.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Features and Details
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Verdict
The new Passion Pro and Passion XPro are a major step-up over the outgoing model and are definitely worth considering if you’re planning to buy a 110cc motorcycle. Both the motorcycles are backed by a massive service network which would make ownership experience relatively hassle-free. What’s the wait? Just like the 2018 Super Splendor, Hero MotoCorp has kept the prices under wrap which would be announced before February 2018.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Technical Specifications
- Engine : Air cooled, 4 – stroke, single cylinder OHC Torque-on-Demand with i3S
- Displacement : 110cc
- Max. Power : 9.4 PS @ 7500 rpm
- Max. Torque : 9 Nm @ 5500 rpm
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Price
The prices, just like the 2018 Hero Super Splendor, would be announced in the coming weeks.
2018 Hero MotoCorp Passion Image Gallery
