A performance bike and a performance car are going to be launched in India on the same day with both being placed in a low volume segment
4th August 2015 can be declared as performance day because on that date, Honda and Fiat will finally launch the CBR650F (in 8 cities simultaneously) and 500 Abarth in India respectively. Both these performance products were showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo and both have been highly awaited by enthusiasts. While the CBR650F comes via the CKD route with 5% localisation, the Abarth 500 comes via the CBU route and Fiat is launching the Abarth 595 Competizone variant in the country. The Honda CBR650F will be priced under the Rs. 8 lakh mark while the Fiat 500 Abarth will cost upwards of Rs. 30 lakhs.
Honda is doing a big launch for the CBR650F and is holding a ‘REVFEST’ which has a tagline of ‘Unleash The Power’. The bike will be sold through Honda’s exclusive dealerships for big bikes and on the day of the grand launch, the company will also showcase many bikes. While details about which bikes will be showcased aren’t revealed yet, we feel the updated CBR250R and CBR150R could be displayed. The company has 6 more launches planned for this year and the CBR650F is the 10th out of the 15 products planned for this year.
Coming to the Fiat 500 Abarth, the launch will take place at the Buddh International Circuit and the Italian company recently imported 5 units of the performance retro hatchback to the country. What’s common between the CBR650F and Abarth 500 is that both vehicles use a 4-cylinder engine, the Honda’s 649cc motor generating 87 PS and 62 Nm while the Fiat’s 1.4-litre mill belts out 160 PS and 230 Nm. Out of both these performance products, which one are you more excited about?
