Honda has just pulled of a surprise move on its competitors in the scooter segment. The Japanese automaker has just updated its complete scooter line-up for 2013 and has inaugurated a new technical centre. The new Honda technical centre is a step towards new form of global operations for the company where all system are integrated under one roof. This new facility is spread across 10,000 square metres at the company’s Manesar plant and has 200 engineers from Honda R&D India (HRID). This Honda technical centre also houses an advaned wind tunnel facility, which will help the company develop aerdoynamic and fuel efficient bikes. The said facility also houses benchmark equipments. Thus, Honda will now design and develop bikes in India.
The complete scooter line-up has been updated for 2013. The Honda Activa is powered by a 109cc engine with Honda Eco Technology (HET) which according to the company helps it to give a ‘Dream Mileage’ of 60 km/l. The Activa’s motor produces 8 BHP of power and 8.74 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM. The 2013 Honda Activa is priced at Rs. 47,188/- (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is available in a new color – wild purple along with 4 existing colors – grey, pearl white, black and red. The Activa comes with combi-brakes, anti-theft key lock shutter and 18-litres under-seat storage.
The 2013 Honda Aviator is powered by a 109cc, air-cooled engine which produces 8 BHP of power and returns a claimed mileage of 60 km/l. The Aviator gets a new premium color, Royal Gold Metallic along with the 3 existing colors – white, black and red. The flagship Honda scooter comes with 12-inch wheels (front), ABS body parts and 190 mm front disc brake. The company has priced the new Aviator at Rs. 48,212/- for the Standard variant and Rs. 53.531/- for the Deluxe variant (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).
Honda has also updated the Dio scooter which is powered by a 109cc engine with Honda Eco Technology. This engine produces 8 BHP of power and is priced at Rs. 44,701/- (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is available in a new pearl yellow color along with 3 existing colors – red, white and grey. The Dio features tubeless tyres, combi-brakes, viscous air filter as standard. The Honda Eco Technology improves combustion, reduces friction and optimizes transmission to boost fuel efficiency by 11%. The company will launch new products every quarter.
Honda is currently developing a new product from scratch at the technology centre, which will be launched in India soon. The company is developing four new models including scooters and motorcycles which are being developed by Honda’s Indian engineers for launch in the country in the near future.
