Hero has launched its first new product of the year, in the form of the Xoom – a feature-rich new 110cc scooter. This becomes the third offering in Hero’s 110cc scooter line-up, and here’s everything you need to know about it.

Hero Xoom: segment-first features

There are a number of fancy features on the new Xoom, including an LED headlight, tail-lamp and DRL, as well as fully digital instrumentation featuring Bluetooth connectivity. But the one that’s likely to raise most eyebrows is the cornering lights – something usually never seen in this segment or even many segments above. The scooter uses a gyroscope to detect lean angle, and then illuminates a bank of lights on either side of the scooter, depending on which way you’re turning.

Hero Xoom: same engine as Maestro Edge 110, Pleasure+

Powering this fresh-looking scooter is a familiar powerplant: the 110.9cc motor that already does duty in the Maestro Edge 110 and Pleasure+ scooters. Output levels are also identical, at 8.15hp and 8.7Nm, and it also features Hero’s i3S start/stop technology (on the top two variants). In our experience with this engine on the other models, we’ve found it to be rather grunty and quick, though refinement has been an area with room for improvement.

Interestingly, Hero says the scooter is not yet OBD2-compliant, meaning that it will need at least a mild update before the April 2023 deadline, when all two-wheelers sold in India will have to be OBD2-compliant.

Hero Xoom: same frame, new suspension set-up

Hero says that the basic frame of the Xoom is shared with its other 110cc scooters, but optimisations have been made for this model. The suspension set-up, though, is all new. It follows the same format as the Maestro and Pleasure, with a telescopic fork and a monoshock, but it has been tuned differently for this scooter, and the focus is on a more sporty experience.

Hero Xoom: familiar but fresh design

The Xoom looks like a familiar figure, with a fascia that’s quite similar to Hero’s recently launched debut electric scooter, the Vida V1. However, much of the bodywork is quite different, and the Xoom features more sharp edges, cuts and creases than we’re used to seeing from a Hero. Colour schemes vary across the variants, with the LX getting just one option, the VX being offered with three, and the ZX receiving four.

Hero Xoom: pricing and variants

The Xoom is being offered in three variants: LX, VX and ZX, in increasing order of price. The base LX version gets semi-digital instrumentation and a 130mm drum brake at the front, missing out on Bluetooth connectivity, a disc brake or the start/stop system. On the mid-spec VX version, you get fully digital instrumentation but without Bluetooth connectivity, and you also get a fatter rear tyre and i3S tech. Exclusive to the top ZX variant are Bluetooth, diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 190mm front disc brake, and the cornering lights.

Prices for the three variants are Rs 68,599, Rs 71,799 and Rs 76,699, respectively, with bookings slated to open on February 1. These are introductory prices, and Hero has not yet mentioned how long they will be valid for, before they are hiked.