Back in June, Hero unveiled its first BS6-compliant two wheeler – the Splendor iSmart. No technical specifications were revealed then; and we still haven’t received a date on when the scooter will be available in the market. However, an online document from earlier this week has revealed some details of the new Splendor.
For starters, the BS6-compliant Splendor iSmart will get a slightly larger engine – 113.2cc compared to the 109.15cc engine on the outgoing model. The engine will also now be fuel-injected. We’re still unsure of how the increase in displacement has come about, but it does suggest that a considerable amount of work has gone into the redesigned engine. However, despite the increase in capacity, the document reveals that the upcoming Splendor iSmart will make less power than in its current form – down from 9.5hp to 9.1hp, albeit still produced at 7,500rpm. The torque figure is still unknown. The document also reveals that the bike will be available in a drum-brake variant and a front disc-brake variant.
The Maestro Edge 125 is another model in the Hero line-up that recently received a fuel-injected model; and that came at a hike of Rs 2,700 over the carburettor model. An increase in price with a switch to BS6 is also certain; but it remains to be seen by how much.
Considering that the Splendor is the most successful model in the Hero line-up, the manufacturer will be looking to keep the increase as low as possible. With the festive season almost here, we could see the new Splendor iSmart launch then, or possibly a little after – but there has been no official announcement yet. Stay tuned for more updates.
Azaman Chothia
