Hero MotoCorp has added a new variant to its premium 100cc commuter, the Passion+, which comes with a front disc brake. The Passion Disc+ 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 Drum variant
- Available in four colours, claimed 71kpl fuel economy
The Passion+ is powered by Hero’s venerable 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder ‘sloper’ engine making the same 8hp at 8,000rpm and 8.05Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. This engine is mated to a 4-speed gearbox and is nestled within a simple tubular steel cradle frame that is suspended by a slim telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers - hardware that’s par for the course in the segment. This 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 also Bluetooth enabled bringing in functions like call and SMS Alerts, should you choose to pair your smartphone to it. This display also 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 should 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.
It is available in the same 4 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 lineup, sitting above the HF and Splendor+ ranges 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.
Ved Janve
Rishaad Mody
Vishal Venugopal
