Hero MotoCorp is developing three new performance motorcycles in collaboration with Engines Engineering at the automaker’s new R&D centre.
Hero MotoCorp may be falling way back in line when it comes to performance products but that does not mean the automaker isn’t doing anything about it. As per a recent report, the Indian auto giant that recently discontinued its legendary Karizma on account of poor sales is working on three new performance motorcycles in collaboration with the Italian partner Engines Engineering. The three new products have been codenamed AABA, AANF and AAZA, and are currently under development at Hero’s new R&D centre.
It is believed that the three new performance motorcycles will be based on the same platform. One of the models is said to be a 150-160cc bike that will be available in the naked and full-faired guise while the third offering could be the Karizma replacement in Hero MotoCorp’s lineup. Despite the largest lineup of products including the Hunk, Achiever, Xtreme, Xtreme Sports and Impulse, the automaker barely touches the 10,000 units mark in the 150cc segment while the competition is soaring forward with new launches like the Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ V2.0 and Honda Unicorn 160 being extremely popular.
Same goes for the Rs. 1 lakh performance motorcycle space that is dominated by the Bajaj Pulsar series. Hero could adopt a new nameplate for its all-new offering or bring the Karizma moniker back to life cashing in on the largely positive sentiment. It needs to be seen though if the 223cc single-cylinder motor will be retained or if the company will opt for a newly developed 200cc motor. Naked and full-faired derivatives could be seen on the Karizma replacement as well.
The 150+cc performance commuter segment is set to grow in the following years as a host of new launches and replacements are planned by several manufacturers. With the Mojo finally introduced, Mahindra can now divert its attention towards the 160cc offering it had announced around a year back while TVS is all set to revamp the Apache RTR 160 next year, once the new flagship makes its way to the market in early 2016. We expect Hero MotoCorp to give a glimpse on its performance products at the upcoming Auto Expo.
Source – Gaadiwaadi.com