Just a few days ahead of the opening of the Expo to the public, Hero MotoCorp, erstwhile Hero Honda, introduced as many as three new products at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.These include a 110cc scooter-The Maestro, a new 110cc version of the long in the tooth Passion motocycle-the Passion X Pro and a motorcycle based on the Honda Stunner-the 125 cc Hero Ignitor.
What is interesting is that these ‘new’ Hero bikes are largely based on Honda products.As expected, Maestro’s engine comes from the popular Honda Activa, the new Passion borrows the Twister engine while the Ignitor is almost a re-badged Stunner.This Honda Stunner based product sports a digital-analog combo meter console. Luckily, the bike has tubeless tyres and also offers an optional front disc brake.
Very much unlike the Pleasure, which is the girl’s scooter, the Maestro won’t look odd being ridden by the ‘not so fair’ sex and should have an almost unisex appeal. “Why should girls have all the fun?” And this is what Mr.Anil Dua, senior vice president marketing and sales, Hero MotoCorp jokingly remarked. Among a lot of other things, the Maestro gets a service due indicaror
The Passion X Pro also gets a service due indicator along with new (unlike the Stunner’s) fuel tank shrouds, new graphics, maintenance free battery, tubeless tyres, optional front disc brake and wider seats.
Pawan Munjal, managing director and chief executive officer, Hero MotoCorp said,” The calendar year of 2011 was a watershed year for us at Hero MotoCorp. We not only made a successful transition into a new entity during the year, but equally importantly, we also raised the bar several notches higher to significantly improve upon our earlier performance. The launches that you see today are not just new products, these models reflect the company’s intent and vision for the future, and a clear strategy to further consolidate our leadership position.”
It will be interesting to see if these new products perform differently (to their Honda counterparts) in the market.
The first ugly car I've seen from the Audi stable! Hope its the last too!