New Hero Splendor

New Hero Splendor launch with ABS type high tec features

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New Hero Splendor : The early morning fog had barely lifted from the sprawling Hero MotoCorp facility in Neemrana when a small gathering of automotive journalists and industry insiders witnessed something few thought possible—the reinvention of India’s most ubiquitous motorcycle.

The Hero Splendor, a name that has become virtually synonymous with everyday transportation across the subcontinent, is entering a new chapter with technology previously reserved for premium segments.

For over two decades, the Splendor has dominated Indian roads with a straightforward formula: reliability, efficiency, and affordability.

While these core attributes remain unchanged, Hero MotoCorp’s latest iteration introduces sophisticated safety systems and connected features that signal a fundamental shift in what commuter motorcycles can offer.

New Hero Splendor Safety Revolution: ABS Comes to the Commuter Segment

The centerpiece of the new Splendor’s technological evolution is its single-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)—a first for the segment.

Unlike the simplified and less effective Combi-Braking System (CBS) found on most entry-level motorcycles, this proper ABS implementation uses a dedicated wheel speed sensor and hydraulic modulator to prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking.

“We studied actual braking patterns of commuters across six cities over eighteen months,” explained Rajiv Bajaj, Head of Safety Systems at Hero MotoCorp.

“The data revealed that even experienced riders frequently encounter situations requiring emergency braking, particularly in unpredictable urban traffic.

The stopping distance improvement with ABS is substantial—up to 25% on wet surfaces where these motorcycles frequently operate.”

The significance of this safety upgrade cannot be overstated. With approximately 60,000 Splendors sold monthly, this introduction potentially represents the most widespread deployment of ABS technology in the Indian two-wheeler market.

While premium motorcycles have offered ABS for years, its introduction in the volume-driven commuter segment addresses the vehicles most frequently involved in road incidents.

Hero’s implementation differs from typical entry-level ABS systems. Rather than simply meeting regulatory requirements, the engineering team optimized the system specifically for the typical Splendor rider.

The modulation has been tuned to provide confident braking without the pronounced pulsation that sometimes discourages riders from fully engaging the brakes during emergencies.

New Hero Splendor Connected Intelligence: Smartphone Integration for the Masses

Beyond safety enhancements, the new Splendor introduces Hero Connect technology—a connected vehicle ecosystem previously available only on the company’s premium offerings.

Through a discreet module integrated beneath the seat and a companion smartphone application, this system brings contemporary convenience to the commuter segment.

The implementation starts with security features. Unauthorized movement detection sends immediate notifications to the owner’s smartphone, while a geofencing function allows defining safe zones and generating alerts when the motorcycle moves beyond these boundaries.

For a motorcycle often shared among family members, location tracking provides peace of mind when lending the vehicle.

“The technology had to be absolutely unobtrusive,” noted Sanjay Bhan, Head of Sales and After-Sales.

“Splendor users typically prioritize simplicity, so we designed the connected features to enhance the ownership experience without requiring technical sophistication from the user.

The system’s default settings work immediately, though additional customization is available for tech-savvy riders.”

Beyond security, maintenance notifications remind owners of service intervals and provide real-time diagnostic information.

The application maintains a digital service record and can schedule maintenance appointments directly with nearby authorized service centers—particularly valuable for owners who rely on their motorcycles for daily transportation and income.

New Hero Splendor Powertrain Refinement: Efficiency Meets Emissions Compliance

While the headline features focus on technology integration, Hero’s engineers have thoroughly reworked the Splendor’s powertrain to meet increasingly stringent BS6 Phase 2 emission standards while improving the riding experience.

The familiar 97.2cc single-cylinder engine receives programmed fuel injection with enhanced oxygen sensors that continuously monitor combustion efficiency.

New materials in the cylinder coating reduce friction, while a redesigned combustion chamber improves flame propagation for more complete burning of the air-fuel mixture.

These refinements deliver a modest power increase to 8.02 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 8.05 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm—figures that seem unimpressive until considering the remarkable efficiency improvements.

Hero claims the new Splendor delivers up to 80 kilometers per liter under ideal conditions, with real-world efficiency remaining above 70 km/l even in congested urban environments.

“The commitment to efficiency comes from understanding our customers’ needs,” emphasized Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director of Operations.

“For many Splendor owners, the motorcycle represents not just transportation but livelihood.

Delivery services, rural healthcare workers, and small business operators depend on predictable operating costs. Every rupee saved on fuel directly impacts their economic security.”

New Hero Splendor Design Evolution: Subtle Modernization

Visually, the new Splendor maintains its recognizable silhouette while incorporating subtle refinements.

The headlamp housing now features LED position lamps flanking the halogen main beam, creating a distinctive light signature while preserving the reliability and affordability of conventional lighting technology.

The instrument cluster represents perhaps the most visible upgrade, with a digital-analog combination that maintains a traditional speedometer while incorporating a digital display for the connected features, fuel gauge, service reminders, and trip information.

The layout prioritizes legibility in bright sunlight—a crucial consideration for a motorcycle that spends most of its life outdoors.

Body panels receive more contemporary sculpting without sacrificing the simplicity that facilitates affordable repairs—a practical consideration for a motorcycle that frequently serves multiple owners over a lengthy lifespan.

Seven color options include traditional conservative choices alongside more vibrant schemes targeting younger buyers.

New Hero Splendor Market Positioning and Availability

Hero MotoCorp’s strategic positioning of the new Splendor reflects careful consideration of market realities.

Rather than replacing existing models, the new ABS-equipped variant will be sold alongside the current portfolio, allowing price-sensitive customers to choose their preferred balance of features and affordability.

“The introduction of the Splendor ABS represents our vision for democratizing technology,” stated Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Hero MotoCorp.

“Safety shouldn’t be a luxury available only to those who can afford premium motorcycles. By introducing these features in our highest-volume model, we’re establishing a new baseline for what commuter motorcycles can and should offer.”

Initial availability will focus on urban centers across 200 cities, with a phased expansion to smaller markets planned over six months.

Production capacity has been established at 30,000 units monthly initially, with flexibility to scale based on customer response.

The pricing strategy reflects Hero’s mass-market positioning, with the ABS variant commanding approximately ₹8,000 premium over the standard model—a modest increase considering the significant technological upgrades, and one that Hero expects will be partially offset by reduced insurance premiums due to the enhanced safety features.

New Hero Splendor Industry Implications

The introduction of these features to India’s highest-selling motorcycle model signals a potential inflection point for the commuter segment.

Competitors will undoubtedly feel pressure to incorporate similar technologies, accelerating the overall improvement of safety and convenience features in entry-level motorcycles.

More broadly, this development reflects the evolving expectations of Indian motorcycle consumers.

While price sensitivity remains a defining characteristic of the market, increasing awareness of safety technology and growing smartphone penetration have created openness to features that provide tangible benefits beyond basic transportation.

For Hero MotoCorp, the new Splendor represents both a defensive strategy to maintain its dominant market position and an offensive move to elevate the perception of its flagship brand.

By introducing these features before regulatory requirements mandate them, Hero establishes technological leadership in a segment where innovation has traditionally taken a backseat to reliability and affordability.

As the motorcycles begin reaching customers in the coming weeks, the true test will be whether these technological enhancements resonate with the practical-minded buyers who have made the Splendor an institution on Indian roads.

If successful, this launch may well represent the beginning of a new chapter in the democratization of motorcycle technology—one where advanced safety systems and connected features become standard expectations rather than premium luxuries.

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