Hero MotoCorp has added a new variant to the Passion+, its premium 100cc commuter. Called the Passion+ Disc, it comes with a front disc brake and costs Rs 84,128 (ex-showroom, Delhi), making it the most expensive of all the 97.2cc Hero machines spanning the Splendor+, HF and Passion+ brands.
- Has a Bluetooth-compatible fully digital display
- Weighs 116 kilos, 1kg more than the Drum variant
- Available in four colours; has a 71kpl claimed fuel economy
The Passion+ is powered by Hero’s venerable 97.2cc single-cylinder air-cooled ‘sloper’ engine, making 8hp at 8,000rpm and 8.05Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Mated to a 4-speed gearbox, this mill is nestled within a simple tubular steel cradle frame suspended by a slim telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers – hardware that’s par for the course in the segment. The engine comes with Hero’s fuel-saving i3S start/stop technology, and the company claims a certified fuel economy figure of 71kpl. Considering our past experience with Hero commuter machines, achieving this figure should be possible with some careful and gentle riding.
The Passion+ Disc variant comes with a 240mm disc brake at the front, replacing the Drum variant’s 130mm drum brake. This change should result in more surefooted braking performance consistently on the Passion+. Another change on the Disc variant compared to the lower Drum variant is that it comes with a fully digital display that is Bluetooth-enabled, bringing in functions such as call and SMS alerts should you choose to pair your smartphone with it. This display even shows the rider useful information such as a real-time mileage indicator (RTMI), service reminders and a low-fuel warning light. The Passion+ also has the side-stand cut-off feature, which cuts the engine if you put the side stand down while a gear is engaged. Hero’s 100cc commuters also have a small storage cubby above the engine, complete with a USB charging port – a rather practical addition.
The new variant is available in the same four colours as the Drum variant – red, blue, black and grey – albeit with revised graphics. The Passion+ has always been the premium model in Hero’s 100cc line-up, sitting above the HF and Splendor+ bikes, and this Disc variant is the most expensive of all of them. At Rs 84,128, the Passion+ Disc costs Rs 3,800 more than the Drum variant. This and the Splendor XTEC Disc are the only two 100cc Hero commuters to come with a front disc brake, something that rivals from Honda and Bajaj do not offer.
Vishal Venugopal
Azaman Chothia
Ved Janve
