Hero has updated three of its commuter motorcycles with a number of cosmetic and mechanical changes. The Super Splendor, which is the top-spec variant, comes with a 125cc engine equipped with Hero’s clever i3S (idle-start-stop) system. The Passion PRO gets the more-powerful in-house developed 110cc engine, also with i3S, while the Passion XPRO gets the same mechanicals, albeit with a sharper and bolder styling. All three motorcycles will go on sale in January 2018.
Hero Super Splendor
Hero’s Super Splendor is the flagship model of Hero’s biggest brand – the Splendor. The new Splendor’s focus on more power is not so much for outright performance, but for easier rideability. It uses the same 125cc engine from the Glamour, which is an air-cooled, single-cylinder unit. This motor makes 11.4hp at 7,500rpm and 11Nm of torque at 6,000rpm, it is also equipped with the aforementioned i3S start-stop tech. When compared to its predecessor, it makes 27 percent more power and 6 percent more torque and has a claimed top speed of 94kph. The bike retains the four-speed gearbox and does not get even an option of a disc brake.
Other updates include Automatic Headlamp On (AHO), side stand indicator and a wider rear tyre. Hero claims that the new Super Splendor has the largest underseat storage in its class with additional storage under the tank. On the styling front, it now gets a new, sportier-looking seat and revised side panels that look less boxy now. It also gets a new tail section which is slightly more upswept, with a neatly integrated LED tail-lamp as opposed to the angular, hexagonal unit on the outgoing model. The Super Splendor will be available in five colour options with updated graphics.
Hero Passion Pro
The Passion is Hero’s second-largest brand after the Splendor and for 2018, the company has updated two of its Passion models. The new Passion Pro gets the inhouse developed 110cc engine from the iSmart. This motor makes 9.4hp at 7,500rpm and 9Nm of torque at 5,500rpm, like the Super Splendor it also gets Hero’s i3S feature. When compared to the motorcycle it replaces, it offers 12 percent more power and torque. The new Passion Pro has a claimed 0-60kph time of 7.65sec. Unlike the Splendor, the Passion is available in both drum and disc variants.
The Passion Pro gets a new headlamp that is a departure from the previous rectangular style unit. The tank is more sculpted and rear quarter panel a bit more curvaceous, and the tail-lamp design sports a clean look. Features include a redesigned digital-analogue meter, AHO, side stand indicator, maintenance-free battery and an optional mobile charger accessory. The Passion Pro will be available in five colour schemes.
Hero Passion XPro
Alongside the new Passion Pro, Hero also revealed the new Passion XPro. The design on the XPro is a whole lot bolder and sharper, it gets a unique LED tail- lamp, sleeker headlamp, dual-tone coloured mirrors and a rear hugger. Other than these changes, the XPro is identical to the Pro. It gets the same i3S-equipped 110c engine making 9.4hp and 9Nm of torque. It is also available in both drum and disc variants and features the same equipment list as the digital-analogue meter, AHO, side stand indicator and maintenance-free battery. The XPro will be available in five dual-tone colour options.
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
