Hero MotoCorp unveils concept diesel bike, four new models

Country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp on Wednesday unveiled its 150cc diesel concept motorcycle and four other products for launch in the course of the coming financial year. The production-ready models include a hybrid scooter.

“Barring RNT, which is a concept, all four models, including the hybrid scooter, would be launched during the next financial year,” said Pawan Munjal, managing director and chief executive officer, Hero Motocorp. Besides the hybrid scooter, the line-up for FY15 includes a 250cc sports bike, a 110cc scooter and a 150cc motorcycle.

RNT, Leap (hybrid scooter) and 250 cc bike HXR250R are completely new products, while Dash (110cc scooter) and Xtreme Sports (150cc bike) models are based on existing platform.

“We plan to launch 150cc Xtreme Sports bike in the first quarter, 110cc scooter Dash in the second quarter and Leap and 250cc sports bike in the second half of the next financial year,” Munjal said.     

Munjal declined to share a time-frame for the launch of the RNT motorcycle, which sports a 150-cc diesel engine, saying that it is a unique product and the company “will take time” to bring it to the market. Munjal said: "It's a concept and we will have to do much research before we bring it to the commercial arena."

"As we go ahead, we would like to add accessories, variants to the model...It will have usage in various countries besides India due to the kind of features it has," he added. He elaborated the RNT would have great fuel efficiency and would come with various features including two-wheel drive.      

Speaking on the hybrid scooter Leap, Munjal said the company would first launch the vehicle in western markets and then bring it to India. "The hybrid scooter will have a range of around 340 kms on one single charge and a full tank...The scooter's range is better than any electric vehicle," Munjal said.       

Hero MotoCorp Senior Vice President (Marketing and Sales) Anil Dua said the company has already completed the launch of 11 models of the 15 models it had showcased in October 2013. "We have already launched 11 models during the last quarter and the remaining four would be launched in the current (Jan-March) quarter. All the recently launched models, especially Splendor i-Smart, have been well received by customers," Dua said.