Hero Honda previously was a big brand in the Indian bike market and still the largest bike manufacturers in the world. There was a time when every 2nd bike bought was a Hero Honda bike. Recent proceedings in the market did evidence the 2 manufacturers namely the Hero Group and Honda parting ways and drifting alone with Honda still contributing to Hero’s growth until 2014 based on an agreement signed between them. The Hero Group is now sailing as Hero MotoCorp on its own. The popularity of Hero is such that they’re known unanimously for good performance of their engines and optimal fuel efficiency. Hero MotoCorp is now planning to launch a diesel bike run by a powerful air-cooled 400cc engine that incorporates DFI (direct fuel injection) technology. It’s expected to belt a max output of 30 bhp of power. The build of the bike is pretty aggressive with impressive body designs and would be rolling out with metallic finished body colours. There would be new graphics for the diesel bike with a more comfortable seating arrangement. The bike comes with alloy wheels and spokes aimed at better styling.
Hero adopts aggressive strategies for creating its own market share with diesel-run bikes in India. The bikes are undergoing ARAI certification. The launch of these bikes would probably be by next year. Assembly of these bikes would be at their Dharuhera unit where its R&D facility is housed too.
Globally, automobile industries have a few diesel bikes, and the New Hero Honda Diesel 400 is sure to make an impression in the Indian bike market. The bike has the feel of a perfect diesel machine with an engine displacement of 400cc.
Mileage
The new Hero Honda Diesel 400 in India gives a mileage of 30 km per litre. Considering the heavy engine, a fuel efficiency of 30 is not bad at all. The new Hero Honda Diesel 400’s fuel tank capacity is 17 litres. Reserve 3.5 litres.
Styling
At a glance, the bike looks like it’s conveying a message when it comes to styling and calling out loud to be ridden given its powerful engine. It has the features of the Hunks and Karizmas, but definitely much more different and robust than the other bikes.
New Hero Honda Diesel 400 Engine
The new Hero Honda Diesel 400 in India would be run by a powerful, air-cooled, 400cc engine. Torque would be massive with speedy accelerations. It is to be seen how the company handles the vibration issues if any. Known for their reliable engines, this diesel version is considered more reliable with optimal performance.
Features
We expect the new Hero Honda Diesel 400 to come with disc brakes both at the front and rear. One good thing Hero’s done here is the non-implementation of front disc and rear drum, which seems a bit conventional for new age bikers, especially given all the manufacturers do provide disc brakes for both wheels.
The new Hero Honda Diesel 400 price in India is expected to be Rs. 1,50,000.
Details regarding the colours are not known yet.
Conclusion
It’s really exciting and confusing at the same time to see the bike market flourishing with new superbikes, existing facelifts, new scooters and now the presence of a diesel bike from none other than our own Hero Group, now Hero MotoCorp. Probably, Honda still providing assistance to Hero until 2014 makes them use the brand name together or a joint project already planned beforehand. Nonetheless, masses here in India know Hero by the name Hero Honda and marketing them anywhere here wouldn’t be that difficult for them. There were also reports suggesting Hero weren’t happy with Honda not accepting their export policy necessitating the disbandment of their long-term alliance altogether.
Furthermore, a diesel bike was what people were anticipating given the hike in fuel costs recently. Taking the economic situation currently prevailing in India, it’s a wise decision overall by Hero MotoCorp to be introducing a diesel bike with plans of releasing Hero Maestro (scooter) and Hero Impulse (another good bike) into the markets soon.
The strategies employed by Hero recently convey that they aim at aggressively marketing their products rurally with a huge market share to be grabbed by many contenders. With Honda out of the picture, Hero’s strategies for now seems convincing enough with major plans of exporting their bikes in the future, but rural penetration of its products being the primary objective at the moment. Fuel efficient diesel bikes are what people are looking at now at a time where petrol prices are hitting the roof almost once every 3 months. Expectations regarding the Hero-Honda adventure are high.
Expected Specifications
- Displacement : 400 cc
- Engine : Four stroke, air-cooled, DFI (direct fuel injection)
- Max power : 30 bhp
- Transmission : Six speed manual gearbox
- Fuel tank capacity : 17 litres
- Reserve : 3.5 litres
- Mileage : 30 km per litre
- Ignition : Self/Electric start
- Wheels : Alloy
- Spokes : Alloy
- Front brake : Disc
- Rear brake : Disc
- Fuel gauge : Digital
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