On the occasion of the 18th-year celebration day of the country’s 1st moto-scooter, Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Honda has launched the 2020 model year Honda Dio, in India, with a BS6 compliant engine at the price of INR 59,990 ex-showroom, Delhi for the Standard variant and the Deluxe variant is priced at INR 63,340 ex-showroom, Delhi.
The new Honda Dio features a sportier design than the outgoing model and features redesigned LED daytime running lamp, new logo and graphics, new split rear grab rail, new 12-inch front wheel, new telescopic front suspension, new seat and fuel lid opening switch integrated into one, LED headlamp and a new fully digital meter with range, average fuel efficiency, realtime fuel efficiency, total trip, clock and service due indicator.
Powering the Honda Dio is a new BS6 compliant 109.51cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke air/fan-cooled engine with fuel injection that makes 7.6 bhp of power and 8.79 Nm of torque coupled to an automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The new BS6 engine comes with an ACG starter which starts the engine with the same AC generator that charges the battery thus eliminating the use of conventional starter motors. The new engine also gets two new mechanical features that help the engine start with less effort, first is a decompression valve which slightly opens the exhaust valve at the beginning of the stroke and the second is called ‘Swing Back’, a feature which rotates the engine in the opposite direction so that the piston gets a running start. These features enable the engine to start with a very small amount of power. To improve combustion the new BS6 engine gets its fuel delivered through a Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system and also employs the Enhanced Smart Tumble Flow a tumble flow system which the brand achieved through optimizing the inlet ports. The engine also features Honda Eco Technology (HET). Together the new engine promises a balance between performance, refinement and fuel economy.
The Standard variant will be offered in 4 colour options – Matt Axis Grey Metallic, Candy Jazzy Blue, Sports Red and Vibrant Orange. The Deluxe variant will be offered in 3 colour options – Matt Sangria Red Metallic, Dazzle Yellow Metallic and Matt Axis Grey Metallic.
In terms of competition, the Honda Dio goes head to head with the likes of Hero Maestro Edge and Yamaha Ray-Z among others.