Hero will be looking to equip more models from the Splendor range with the start-stop system, thereby increasing fuel efficiency figures.
Hero is doing considerable amount of research and development when it comes to improving their commuter motorcycles in terms of technology. One of their main plus points, fuel efficiency, was highlighted when they launched the widely accredited Splendor iSmart which with the help of the iSmart Stop-Start technology delivers fuel efficiency figures of 102.5 km/l, as per International Centre for Automotive Technology (iCAT) tests. After witnessing a considerable amount of interest for the Splendor iSmart, Hero has decided to to equip more of its motorcycles with stop-start technology.
Also called the i3S (Idle Stop Start System) technology, the stop-start system is contemplated to be offered on other Splendor motorcycles manufactured by the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer. The i3S technology helps bikes to automatically shut the engine off when it is idling and turns it back on as soon as the clutch is pressed. This results in helping the bike deliver higher fuel efficiency figures. The technology in the Splendor iSmart has helped it clock over 3 lakh units since it was launched one year back and thus shows the extent to which fuel efficiency is considered as a major factor by the Indian public when purchasing motorcycles.
The Hero Splendor portfolio is currently the largest-selling motorcycle brand in the world, selling well over 2 million units every year. Two new variants which include the iSmart and Pro Classic (the company’s first cafe racer) have been the recent entrants to the Splendor lineup which retail for Rs. 50,000/- and Rs. 50,500/- (ex-showroom Delhi) respectively. Other models in the Splendor family include Splendor +, Splendor Pro and Super Splendor. The automaker is likely to expand the Splendor lineup in the future.
