Hero Splendor Xtec: In the dodging, weaving, hustle and bustle of the streets of India, where traffic lights can sometimes seem like protracted coffee runs and fuel economy is almost a national obsession, Hero MotoCorp has reinvented itself with the enhanced Xtec version of its legendary Splendor.
A contemporary rendition of what once was India’s go to nameplate in 2 wheeler section, it packs modern technology in hands of commuter section without compromising on the ever impeccable reliability and fuel efficiency the Splendor range was once famous for.
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Hero Splendor Xtec The Evolution of an Icon
Hero Splendor Xtec The Splendor’s passage of Indian motoring history defies belief. Introduced in the 1990s, it has long been one of the world’s top-selling two-wheelers and an icon of reliable transportation for millions of people.
The Xtec version is a major development of the model, which has evolved in stride with changes in customer demand whilst still retaining the strengths that made the SEWE a successful brand name.
“We didn’t want to come with anything that replicated the scope of the Splendor,” Malo Le Masson, Head of Strategy at Hero MotoCorp, says at a dealer presentation in Gurugram.
“We thought instead about what we could do to enhance its core strengths with technology you could actually feel and use as a rider, rather than something that just makes a marketing bullet point.
This philosophy is immediately seen in the Splendor Xtec’s flagship feature- the intuitive and intelligent i3s (Idle Stop-Start System), iterated over multiple generations of its evolution.
i3s: Intelligent efficiency
The key to Hero’s solution -the i3S technology – is refreshingly simple and yet effective: It automatically switches off the motorcycle’s engine during halts of more than 5 seconds and switches it back on as soon as the clutch is pressed.
Auto start-stop systems are now widely adopted in premium cars, but carrying over this function to motorcycles unique and more difficult engineering challenges, especially in the cost-sensitive commuter motorcycle segment.
“The system has to be absolutely seamless,” says Sukumar Mandal, a veteran motorcycle mechanic who repairs dozens of Splendors a week at his Delhi workshop.
“If they’re going to have to put up with even a small delay to start or less reliability, then riders won’t use it. The Hero engineers seem to have nailed that balance.”
The Splendor Xtec comes equipped with the newest version of i3s, which kicks in after the motorcycle has been at a standstill after 5 seconds of idling.
When the user pulls in the clutch to select first gear, the engine starts up again, instantly – it is so fast and seamless that most users say they forget the system is even working at all, until they notice the increased fuel economy at the end of the month.
Given that in this country, traffic lights sometimes last a few minutes in major cities, and congestion routinely results in long periods of idling, the fuel add-up is pretty significant.
Hero says the overall efficiency is higher by 5-7 per cent in real-world city commuting than its competition – numbers that could mean A and C Class victories for the budget-minded rider.
It is worth mentioning that the system is also provided with a number of safety nets to avoid unintended activation.
It will not active if the battery voltage is low, unless the engine has been thoroughly warmed up or the vehcile is on an incline.
These intelligent safeguards mean the gizmo improves rather than adversely affects the riding experience.
Hero Splendor Xtec Mileage That Matters
In addition to the advanced i3s system, the Splendor Xtec comes with a variety of refinements to the proven 110cc engine platform. The air-cooled, single-cylinder engine has been tuned with:
Improved Combustion Chamber Design for Complete Fuel Burning
– Low internal friction ensured by precision machined components
Programmed fuel injection with map-type jetting and throttle position sensor (tps) for superior throttle response and maximum power across a broad range of riding conditions
Long-stroke design that emphasizes tractable low-RPM power over screaming peak-RPM performance
Together these provide what Hero calls, best-in-class fuel efficiency of 68-72 kilometres to a litre which Hero tested on standard parameters.
Real-world economy is usually around the 60-65kmpl mark depending on your riding style, load on the bike that day and the traffic conditions around you – numbers that mean a lot out there in the real world of the mileage conscious buyer who counts every paisa spent or saved.
“For our key customers, a 5% better mileage isn’t just a marketing number,” says Naveen Chauhan, Head of Sales & After-Sales, Hero MotoCorp.
“It affects families directly and regularly, although indirectly, like what discretionary income they have left at the end of the month, after they’ve paid their bills or the excess they don’t have to pay in taxes. The emphasis on engineering reflects this economics.”
Output numbers are still small by high performance standards (9.1 horsepower and 9.89 Nm of torque), but the delivery has been geared to handle the stop and go of city traffic.
The torque graph is designed to delivery from the bottom and and through the mid-range, giving spritely acceleration even off the line, saving having to fan the box every ten seconds whilst naskell traffic en route to work.
Technology Beyond Efficiency
Efficiency is the underpinning strength of the Splendor Xtec, but Hero has added useful tech that adds value to ownership, rather than unjustly inflating the price.
The feature: The most prominent being the all-digital cocktails console unit that gives you details such as speed, fuel level, gear position indicator, real-time mileage and service reminders.
The light blue backlighting is clear as a bell in any lighting condition – a small detail that makes a big difference for everyday use.
New in this segment, Bluetooth enables riders to easily connect to their motorcycle wirelessly for incoming call alerts and notifications.
This feature gives us a nod to the reality that most of us commuters have the need to stay connected, but not at the risk of killing ourselves by being distracted to manipulate our phones when rolling.
The lighting system is also 100 percent LED, which not only means better visibility but also less power draw upon the electrical system – small, meaningful drop in overall system efficiency.
The H-signature headlamp provides intriguing design lines and also a strong brand identity, and the bright lighting system improves visibility for daily commuting.
USB charging is standard – a nod to the modern age where plugging stuff in is normal, and aftermarket weird add-on USB stuff doesn’t trash your wiring system.
REAL OWNERSHIP EXEPERIENCE
In addition to the technological improvements, Hero also seems to have optimized various practical aspects of ownership.
The seat has been reshaped to account for a longer and wider shape and for added comfort, features thicker cushioning to satisfy riders of all sizes on long rides.
With a 10-liter fuel tank and outstanding fuel efficiency, it is capable of cruising more than 600 kilometers on a tank of gas, making it more convenient for regular use while saving time on refueling.
In somewhere where fuel is of little supply to the regions, this additional capacity gives one a peace of mind.
The car is scheduled for a service less frequently at 6,000 kilometers compared to its predecessors, lowering the direct cost of servicing as well as productivity loss when the car is in the workshop.
With one of the largest service networks across the length and breadth of the country, Hero’s service reach ensures convenient access everywhere; this is an important proposition in a category where the product is far more than a lifestyle statement, it is often the primary vehicle of ownership.
Hero Splendor Xtec Market Impact
Hero Splendor Xtec With a price range of ₹72,000-76,000 (ex-showroom) across colour options, it’s a kind of a premium push to what the brand stands for in the commuter segment, yet continuing to be a product that the nameplate has been known for – the value proposition.
In a market where fuel is increasingly expensive and technology ever more expected, the Splendor Xtec is a nicely balanced offering.
It brings true innovation where it counts – efficiency, connectivity, and practical applicability – while refusing to compromise on the legendary reliability that is still an absolute must for this national treasure.
And as Indian mobility takes its next step in evolution, the Splendor Xtec stands as a proof of progression not necessarily being a reason to ditch proven recipes, but to improve them through technology that caters to real user needs, rather than just looking good on a datasheet.
