Hero MotoCorp Launches Flex-Fuel Splendor And HF Deluxe Motorcycles

Ahead of World Environment Day, Hero MotoCorp on Wednesday introduced two flex-fuel motorcycles in the mass segment -- the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel -- priced at ₹82,710 and ₹72,792 respectively (ex-showroom). The launch comes at a time when there is increasing focus on ethanol-based fuels and questions around compatibility of existing vehicles with higher ethanol blends. 

By offering flex-fuel versions of two of its highest-selling models, the company is positioning itself to address this transition. Both motorcycles are capable of running on fuel blends up to E85, comprising 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol.

Sales of the new models are scheduled to begin in July, initially in Delhi-NCR and select regions of Maharashtra, with a wider rollout planned subsequently.

Hero MotoCorp stated that when operated on E85 fuel, the motorcycles deliver a seven per cent increase in peak power and a three per cent improvement in torque. Both models are powered by a 97.2 cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine, producing 8.4 bhp and 8.3 Nm on E85 fuel, which is higher than the output of the standard variants.

“India is rapidly advancing the adoption of alternative fuels and cleaner mobility technologies. Hero MotoCorp’s introduction of Flex Fuel motorcycles in the mass segment is a significant step towards reducing crude oil imports, supporting ethanol adoption, empowering farmers, and strengthening the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat," Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), said in a statement.

"The launch of the Flex Fuel-ready Splendor+ and HF Deluxe marks another important step in our commitment towards cleaner and sustainable mobility. With minimal-to-no import content, our motorcycles strongly reflect India’s disruptive capabilities in manufacturing," said Harshavardhan Chitale, CEO, Hero MotoCorp.

Both motorcycles support ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85. The flex-fuel variants feature a black finish with lime yellow graphics and are equipped with a new digi-analogue instrument cluster.

To enable compatibility with higher ethanol content, the company has reworked 36 components compared to the standard models. 

These include a revised fuel pump designed for enhanced filtration, an additional fuel filter, and an updated engine control unit calibration to regulate fuel delivery based on ethanol concentration.