Hero Spendor iSmart 110 arrives in dealerships ahead of launch

Hero MotoCorp will shortly be announcing prices of its new Splendor iSmart 110 motorcycle. Ahead of its launch on July 14, 2016, the motorcycles have started arriving in dealerships. While dealers don't have a price list, few of them whom we spoke to confirmed that the motorcycles can be delivered within a week of paying the entire amount. Expect the motorcycle to be priced at around Rs 66,000 (on-road, Mumbai), Rs 4,000 more than the 100cc Splendor iSmart.

Hero first showcased the Splendor iSmart 110 at the Auto Expo 2016. The talking point of the new Splendor iSmart 110 is its engine. Hero claims that this is a ground-up effort and will be more efficient than others in the segment. Hero claims an efficiency of 102.3kmpl from the smaller Splendor iSmart 100. Expect the iSmart 110 to have a claimed fuel efficiency of 105kmpl.

The engine in the new motorcycle is also the company's second vertical engine in the segment (first developed in-house) after the 110cc motor borrowed from Honda (used in Livo and Dream series) being used in the Passion xPro. The engine in question develops 9.1PS@7,500rpm and 9Nm@5,500rpm, nine and 12 per cent more power and torque respectively than Hero's other 100cc engines. It is mated to a 4-speed transmission.

Hero says that its newly opened R&D centre in Jaipur has built this vehicle from scratch. Like its less powerful 100cc sibling, the iSmart 100, the new motorcycle will have the innovative stop-start technology. In traffic, with the system engaged and the motorcycle in neutral, the engine will cut off. To start the motorcycle, one has to just pull in the clutch.

While the design looks similar to the Splendor iSmart 100, there are a few changes. This includes the graphics, always on headlamp, part digital-analogue meters and a tail section inspired from the Hero Xtreme/Xtreme Sports. Hero says that sticking to the older 100cc's design will help because customers have taken a liking to it, which in turn will translate to more units being sold. It is understandable as time has proved that customers in this segment are not willing to experiment.

The motorcycle comes with black alloy wheels and cycle parts. It will be sold in a single self-cast variant with drum brakes at both ends. Hero is also expected to roll out a front disc-equipped variant at a later stage. The Hero Splendor iSmart competes with the TVS Victor 110 and Honda Livo.

We are excited to see how Hero's all-new engine will be like. Shumi will be riding the motorcycle on July 15. Keep watching this space for our comprehensive review.