Automatic scooters have hit quite a sales benchmark in the Indian market ever since the first Activa was launched in the 20s. We did have automatic scooters before then, but the Activa was the first one to uplift the segment and make it look like a feasible one. Up until then, potential consumers would have opted for either traditional boxy scooters or commuter bikes. The automatic scooters, then, made commuting rather easy with ease of riding, comfort, and – in the case of the Honda Activa – reliability.
These scooters have been so popular in the Indian market that even higher-end manufacturers – like Aprilia – had entered this space in the past. After all, as said above, these are ease to ride two-wheelers with proven reliability and an added factor of decent fuel efficiency.
But then, with some of the newer products, the segment is also notion is also tilting towards manufacturing sportier rides – without compromising the ease of riding – for the enthusiasts and feature-rich scooters. Now that you get the idea, here are all the automatic scooters that are set to enter the Indian market very soon.
- Honda PCX 125
The maxi-scooter trend in India began with the Suzuki Burgman 125. Honda has always had a few maxi-scooters in the global markets, but none made its way here. The PCX 125 could be very well the first maxi-scooter from the Japanese manufacturer in the Indian market. And it would pose to be a strong contender to the likes of the Suzuki Burgman 125. The PCX125 will be powered by a single-cylinder 125cc motor capable of churning out 8.5bhp and 10.54Nm of torque, which we’ve already seen in the Grazia and Activa 125. It will be, of course, compliant with the BS-VI emission standards. Expect Honda to launch the PCX 125 in the Indian market by the end of this year.
- TVS Creon
Unlike the abovesaid, the TVS Creon would be a fully-electric scooter, if it makes its way to the Indian market. It was unveiled in its concept form at the 2018 Auto Expo. The Creon will be based on the same platform as the TVS Ntorq, for the concept shares its tyres, alloy wheels and brakes with the TVS bikes. It is expected to be powered by a Lithium-ion battery that delivers 12kW of power. The company claims the Creon will breach the 0-60km/h mark in just 5.1 seconds and it would feature a range of 80km. If the iQube is anything to go by, the Creon would also be a very compelling package for the Indian market.
- Hero Leap Hybrid SES
The Hero Leap Hybrid SES is yet another electric scooter expected to make its way into the Indian market. When it arrives, it would be the first electric scooter from the Gurgaon-based manufacturer. The Leap Hybrid SES made its first appearance at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi and it later was showcased in its pre-production guise just before the 2014 Auto Expo. The Leap Hybrid SES will be powered by an 8kW PMAC motor paired to a lithium-ion battery and a 124cc engine that uses a three-litre petrol tank. Therefore, as its name implies, it would be a hybrid scooter rather than a full-fledged electric offering. Expect it to arrive in the Indian market early next year.
- Vespa GTS 300
The Vespa GTS 300 has been in the news for quite some time, as it was first showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The styling and the equipment list of the GTS 300 will be more or less similar to any other scooter from the Italian automaker. However, as its name clearly implies, the GTS would be powered by a sprightlier 278cc, air-cooled single-cylinder motor that is capable of producing 22bhp and 22.3Nm of torque. If it makes its way to the Indian market – as we expect it to, by the second quarter of next year – the GTS 300 would be the most powerful scooter here. And, of course, its engine will be paired to a CVT automatic gearbox. As some of you might be unaware, the GTS 300 is already on sale in the international markets. If Vespa bikes were to bring it as a CBU unit, it could very well demand a price north of Rs.4 lakh.
