Hero has just launched the Passion Plus in India and here are some other models being readied by the manufacturer.
Hero Xtreme 200S 4V
Possibly the first of the new bikes from Hero will be the Xtreme 200S 4V. The bike has already been spotted in production-ready form at dealers down south, and since Hero has already deployed this new 4-valve engine in the standard Xpulse 200 as well as the 200T, it shouldn’t require too much reworking on the Xtreme 200S. What you can expect is a smoother running motor with slightly higher output levels than the current 2-valve engine – around 1hp and 1Nm more than the present 18hp and 16.45Nm.
Aside from the new motor, changes will be quite minor. The images show new mirrors and new colour schemes, and you can expect a price hike of around Rs 5,000 to 10,000 over the current Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) price tag.
Hero Xtreme 160R
We have some idea of what the updates will bring – test mules have been spotted featuring an upside-down fork. Instrumentation is also likely to be revised, and perhaps there will be a new colour scheme or two thrown into the mix as well. All of this will likely result in a price hike of around Rs 8,000 to 10,000 once the updated Xtreme 160R is launched on June 14.
Hero Karizma XMR
This year will also see the comeback of a very iconic nametag for Hero, in the form of the Karizma. Last seen in its ZMR guise, the Karizma will return in a new XMR form, complete with a liquid-cooled engine that will displace around 200-210cc. This marks Hero’s very first liquid-cooled motor. The bike has once again already been spotted in production-ready format a dealer conference, hinting that an official launch shouldn’t be too far away. It features sharp styling with a fully-faired look and split seats.
Ever the masters of the price charts, expect Hero to price the Karizma aggressively – perhaps around the Rs 1.8 lakh mark (ex-showroom). At this price, it will take on the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and the more focused Yamaha YZF-R15.
Hero Xpulse 400
Of course, the Karizma’s motor isn’t the only liquid-cooled engine that Hero is developing. We will also see a liquid-cooled mill in another very important upcoming product – the Xpulse 400. This will mark Hero’s entry into a segment that it has never set foot in before, but it will be doing so with the Xpulse nametag that has helped it crack the 200cc segment rather well. Hero will be hoping to continue this trend, and to do this, the Xpulse 400 will have to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and Bajaj-Triumph 400cc scrambler. While a few Xpulse 400 test mules have been spotted testing on public roads, these have been fairly rough examples, suggesting that a launch is still some time away.
Hero 400cc sport tourer
As is becoming increasingly common, the 400cc liquid-cooled engine will act as a platform that will spawn a number of different motorcycles. Among these will be a fully-faired sport tourer. This bike has been spotted testing along with the Xpulse 400 on at least one occasion, and is likely to sport clip-on handlebars and fairing-mounted mirrors. It could use the Karizma name, or come under the Xtreme umbrella, or be something else altogether. Time will tell.
Of course, in addition to all this, Hero will also be building the Harley-Davidson X 440 right here in India, for the American brand. You can read all about that exciting new bike here.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
