Hero Splendor Xtec : In a move that reinforces its dominant position in India’s commuter motorcycle segment, Hero MotoCorp has unveiled the much-anticipated Splendor Xtec, a sophisticated evolution of the country’s most trusted motorcycle nameplate.
The new offering artfully blends nostalgic design elements with cutting-edge technology, all while delivering an astonishing claimed fuel efficiency of 60 kilometers per liter – a new benchmark in its category.
Hero Splendor Xtec The Legacy Continues: Honoring a National Icon
Few motorcycles have achieved the cultural significance of the Hero Splendor in India. Since its introduction over two decades ago, the Splendor has transcended its role as a mere mode of transportation to become a symbol of reliability, accessibility, and progress for millions of Indians.
With more than 30 million units sold, it stands as the world’s highest-selling motorcycle model, a testament to its enduring appeal across generations.
The new Splendor Xtec represents a thoughtful reimagining of this iconic motorcycle, preserving the fundamental characteristics that established its reputation while incorporating modern elements that address contemporary requirements.
This approach represents a delicate balancing act for Hero MotoCorp – evolving the product while respecting the deep emotional connection many Indians have with the original design.
“The Splendor is not just a motorcycle; it’s a part of India’s social fabric,” explains Naveen Chauhan, Head of Sales and After-Sales at Hero MotoCorp. “With the Xtec variant, we’ve preserved the motorcycle’s soul while enhancing its capabilities for today’s rider.”
Classic Design Reimagined: Aesthetic Evolution with Purpose
The most immediately striking aspect of the new Splendor Xtec is its design philosophy, which draws inspiration from classic motorcycle aesthetics while maintaining the familiar silhouette that has defined the Splendor lineup.
The design team has introduced several retro-inspired elements that give the motorcycle a timeless quality:
The fuel tank features elegant contours reminiscent of motorcycles from the 1970s, complemented by carefully crafted knee recesses that improve rider ergonomics while adding visual character.
Chrome accents on the headlamp housing, mirrors, and exhaust heat shield provide subtle touches of sophistication that elevate the overall appearance without appearing ostentatious.
Perhaps most notably, the seat profile has been reworked with a classic single-piece design featuring period-correct stitching patterns, replacing the split-seat arrangement found on some recent Splendor variants.
This modification not only enhances the classic aesthetic but also improves comfort for both rider and passenger.
Color options for the Splendor Xtec include several heritage-inspired choices that further reinforce its classic character.
A deep maroon with gold pinstriping pays homage to the original Splendor palette, while other options include a sophisticated forest green and a timeless gloss black, each featuring subtle graphics that avoid the busy designs common on many contemporary commuter motorcycles.
“We’ve approached the Xtec’s design with tremendous respect for the Splendor’s heritage,” notes Malo Le Masson, Global Product Strategy Director at Hero MotoCorp.
“Every design element serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose, staying true to the motorcycle’s utilitarian roots while introducing a level of sophistication that today’s consumers expect.”
Engineering Excellence: The Science Behind 60 KMPL
While the classic styling captures immediate attention, the most remarkable achievement of the Splendor Xtec lies beneath its retro-inspired exterior.
Through a combination of advanced engineering solutions, Hero’s R&D team has achieved a claimed fuel efficiency of 60 kilometers per liter under standard testing conditions – an unprecedented figure for a 110cc motorcycle that doesn’t compromise on performance or durability.
This efficiency milestone results from several key technological innovations:
Advanced Combustion Chamber Design
The Splendor Xtec features a completely redesigned combustion chamber with optimized swirl characteristics that ensure more complete fuel burning. The piston crown geometry has been refined through extensive computational fluid dynamics simulations, resulting in improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions.
Precision Fuel Injection System
Hero has developed a new generation of its FI system specifically for the Splendor Xtec, featuring more precise injector control and advanced mapping that adapts to varying riding conditions. The system constantly monitors multiple parameters including ambient temperature, altitude, and throttle input to deliver the optimal air-fuel mixture in real-time.
Reduced Mechanical Friction
Engineers have implemented multiple friction-reduction measures throughout the engine, including:
Diamond-like carbon coating on key components
Roller bearings replacing plain bearings at critical points
Low-viscosity lubricants formulated specifically for the Xtec
Optimized piston ring tension and surface treatments
Intelligent Transmission System
The Splendor Xtec introduces what Hero calls “i-Shift” technology – a transmission system that incorporates a slight overdrive in the top gear, allowing the engine to operate at lower RPM during steady-speed cruising, the condition under which commuter motorcycles spend much of their operational life.
Lightweight Construction
Strategic use of high-strength steel and aluminum components has reduced the motorcycle’s overall weight while maintaining structural integrity. At 112 kg fully fueled, the Splendor Xtec is approximately 5% lighter than comparable models in its category, directly translating to improved efficiency.
“Achieving 60 kilometers per liter wasn’t a matter of implementing a single revolutionary technology, but rather refining dozens of individual components and systems,” explains Dr. Markus Braunsperger, Chief Technology Officer at Hero MotoCorp. “It represents hundreds of incremental improvements working in concert to create a significant leap forward in efficiency.”
Importantly, this efficiency has not come at the expense of the Splendor’s renowned durability. The Xtec has undergone over 500,000 kilometers of rigorous testing across diverse Indian road conditions and climate zones to ensure it maintains the legendary reliability associated with the Splendor nameplate.
Thoughtful Technology Integration: Modern Conveniences with Classic Appeal
While maintaining its classic aesthetic, the Splendor Xtec integrates several technological features that enhance functionality without compromising the motorcycle’s straightforward character:
Digital-Analog Instrument Cluster
The Xtec features a hybrid instrument display that combines a traditional analog speedometer (preserving the classic look riders associate with the Splendor) with a digital LCD panel providing additional information including:
Real-time fuel efficiency monitor
Distance-to-empty calculation
Service reminder
Gear position indicator
Mobile phone battery level (when connected)
LED Lighting System
Full LED lighting, including the headlamp, tail lamp, and indicators, improves visibility while reducing power consumption. The headlamp design cleverly incorporates a traditional round shape with modern LED elements, maintaining classic proportions while delivering superior illumination.
Bluetooth Connectivity
A discreet Bluetooth module enables essential connectivity features without overwhelming the motorcycle with unnecessary technology. Functionality includes:
Call and SMS alerts
Turn-by-turn navigation
Find-my-bike location service
Trip analysis and riding statistics
USB Charging Port
Recognizing the essential nature of mobile devices in contemporary life, the Splendor Xtec incorporates a USB-C charging port positioned unobtrusively beneath the instrument panel, providing convenient power access without disrupting the motorcycle’s clean lines.
Enhanced Security Features
The Splendor Xtec includes an integrated immobilizer system and side-stand engine inhibitor as standard features, addressing two common security and safety concerns for Indian motorcycle owners.
“Technology in the Splendor Xtec is implemented with purpose,” notes Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director of Operations and Technology at Hero MotoCorp. “We’ve included features that genuinely enhance the ownership experience while carefully avoiding technological overload that would detract from the motorcycle’s fundamental simplicity.”
Riding Experience: Comfort in Familiarity
Test rides reveal that Hero has succeeded in preserving the essential Splendor riding characteristics that generations of Indians have come to trust, while refining the experience in subtle but meaningful ways.
The seating position remains upright and neutral, ideal for navigating congested urban environments while maintaining all-day comfort. The revised seat offers improved cushioning and support, addressing one of the few criticisms commonly directed at earlier Splendor generations.
Power delivery from the 110cc engine is progressive and predictable, with a focus on tractability rather than outright performance. The engine produces approximately 9 horsepower and 9.79 Nm of torque – modest figures on paper but entirely appropriate for the motorcycle’s intended purpose.
More importantly, the powerband has been calibrated to deliver maximum torque at lower RPM levels commonly used in real-world riding conditions.
The four-speed transmission shifts with a precise, mechanical feel that inspires confidence, while the clutch action is light enough to prevent fatigue during stop-and-go traffic.
The previously mentioned i-Shift overdrive function is particularly effective on open roads, where the engine settles into a relaxed rhythm that contributes significantly to the impressive fuel efficiency claims.
Suspension duties are handled by conventional telescopic forks at the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear, both calibrated to prioritize comfort over sporty handling. The setup effectively isolates riders from road imperfections without introducing excessive wallowing during more spirited riding.
Perhaps most notably, the motorcycle’s reduced weight is immediately apparent in its improved maneuverability, making it even more adept at navigating through tight spaces – a critical attribute for a motorcycle that will spend much of its life in India’s densely populated urban centers.
Market Positioning and Competitive Landscape
The Splendor Xtec enters a market segment that has grown increasingly competitive in recent years, with offerings from Bajaj, TVS, and Honda all vying for a share of the massive Indian commuter motorcycle market.
However, the Xtec’s combination of classic design, advanced efficiency technology, and the trusted Splendor nameplate creates a compelling proposition that addresses several distinct consumer priorities simultaneously.
Priced between ₹72,000 and ₹78,000 (ex-showroom) depending on color and variant, the Splendor Xtec positions itself at a slight premium to the standard Splendor models but remains accessible to its target demographic of value-conscious buyers seeking reliability and efficiency above all else.
Its primary competitors include the Honda CD 110 Dream, Bajaj Platina 110, and TVS Radeon, each with their own strengths.
However, none currently match the Splendor Xtec’s claimed 60 KMPL efficiency figure – a significant differentiator in a segment where operating economy is often the decisive purchasing factor.
Hero’s extensive service network, comprising over 6,000 touchpoints across India, provides another significant advantage, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where competing brands may have more limited presence.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Beyond its implications for individual owners, the Splendor Xtec’s exceptional efficiency represents a meaningful contribution to broader environmental and economic goals.
With approximately 20 million commuter motorcycles sold annually in India, incremental improvements in fuel efficiency translate to significant reductions in overall fuel consumption and emissions.
Based on average annual riding distances for Indian commuters, the efficiency improvements offered by the Splendor Xtec could potentially reduce fuel consumption by over 150 million liters annually if adopted across just 25% of new commuter motorcycle sales – representing both substantial environmental benefits and meaningful savings for household budgets.
“Products like the Splendor Xtec demonstrate that environmental responsibility and economic practicality can be perfectly aligned,” observes environmental policy researcher Dr. Anjali Sharma.
“In the Indian context, where motorcycles are essential transportation tools rather than luxury items, these efficiency improvements have profound implications for both sustainability goals and household finances.”
Hero Splendor Xtec Conclusion: Honoring Heritage While Embracing Progress
The Hero Splendor Xtec represents a thoughtful evolution of India’s most iconic motorcycle, successfully balancing respect for its heritage with meaningful technological advancement.
By combining classic design elements with groundbreaking efficiency and selected modern conveniences, Hero has created a motorcycle that acknowledges its past while remaining thoroughly relevant to contemporary requirements.
In a motorcycle market increasingly segmented between utilitarian commuters and lifestyle-oriented recreational vehicles, the Splendor Xtec occupies a distinctive middle ground – a practical transportation tool that nevertheless offers emotional appeal through its timeless design and the deeply established trust associated with the Splendor name.
As India continues its transition toward more sustainable transportation solutions, including the gradual adoption of electric vehicles, the Splendor Xtec demonstrates that significant improvements remain possible within conventional internal combustion technology.
Its remarkable efficiency establishes a new benchmark for the category and reaffirms Hero MotoCorp’s technical capabilities in its core market segment.
For the millions of Indians who depend on affordable, reliable two-wheeled transportation for their daily mobility needs, the Splendor Xtec offers a compelling combination of familiar virtues and progressive enhancements – a motorcycle that respects tradition while embracing the future.