The unexpected bankruptcy of EBR has delayed Hero MotoCorp’s plans and the company will now launch the HX250R in the first quarter of 2016.
Hero MotoCorp had first showcased the HX250R in early 2014 and the bike managed to create much hype and anticipation with its promising specifications. Initially scheduled to be launched at the end of the second or third quarter of the 2015-16 financial year, the unexpected announcement of Hero’s technical partner Erik Buell Racing (EBR) going bankrupt has delayed the project by a quarter and the HX250R will now be launched in the last quarter of the 2015-16 fiscal.
EBR filed for bankruptcy in April this year after debts accumulated to $20 million (Rs. 125 crores). The American motorcycle maker was the technical partner for Hero and played a pivotal role in the development of the HX250R. At present, the quarter-litre offering is said to be in its advanced stage of development and Hero will now have to use its own research and development resources to complete the project. The HX250R is powered by a 249cc single-cylinder, 4-valve, liquid-cooled engine with fuel injection that will come with switchable power modes producing 31 PS in Sports and 24 PS in regular mode.
The Hero HX250R is based on a Geodesic tubular frame and will be extremely light weighing just 139 kgs. The bike will be capable of doing the 0-100 km/hr run in 9 seconds while the top speed is said to be over 160 km/hr. ABS will be offered as standard on the sports bike. The HX250R was expected to be a game changer in the quarter-litre space posing as a rival to the new Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, KTM RC 200 while killing off the Honda CBR250R with its competitive pricing and impressive specifications. However, the delay is only going to work in the Japanese auto giant’s benefit as it will be launching the updated CBR250R later this year to gain a stronghold in the segment once again.
As part of its growth plan, Hero MotoCorp had announced that it will be investing Rs. 3000 crores over the next two financial years to boost its R&D capabilities, capacity expansion as well as fund its current projects. The automaker’s new R&D facility is coming up at Kukas, near Jaipur that has seen an investment of Rs. 700 crores, but will take at least another year to complete and commence operations.
Source – AutocarPro.in