Honda’s new scooter patent is evidently a petrol-CVT concept with ‘futuristic’ styling elements
Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer Honda is working on an all-new premium petrol-CVT scooter. A set of patent images of the same have leaked online, revealing its ‘futuristic’ styling approach that blends a lot of curves and folds. Being an early leak, not much is known about the scooter. It is interesting to see Honda working on an ICE scooter while popular names are concentrating more on all-electric examples. Still, there are quite a few Honda e-scooters in the pipeline.
Key Design Highlights
The patent Honda scooter you see here is undoubtedly a concept. It sports a rather radical design philosophy. The apron base, floorboard and rear compartment form a single piece, which folds into the upper half of the front apron. Being a concept in its patent stage, the scooter does not have any lighting systems or registration plates.
The windscreen situation is unlike any other premium scooter available on the market right now. Behind it, a pocket is present for placing the instrument cluster (most likely a digital unit with various connectivity options to stay with the trend). Observe closely and one can find a couple of storage boxes on the apron.
The scooter rides on large ‘turbine-like’ alloy wheels (smaller and wider at back; shod with a broader tyre) with a relatively small radial-calliper disc brake at front. Suspensions duties are carried out by telescopic front forks and a single side-mounted unit at the rear. Again, this is an early developmental prototype in digital format and its final avatar could be substantially different. In fact, it will not be surprising if the concept never hits production.
Possible Specs
It is too early to reach any conclusions regarding the unnamed scooter prototype’s engine and specifications. However, the motor size represented here suggests that it could be aimed at the 150-160cc segment. In Honda’s global portfolio, the PCX 150 maxi-scooter is the most premium petrol-CVT offering in this category. It is powered by a 149cc water-cooled OHC FI single-cylinder engine making 14.79bhp @ 8,500rpm and 14Nm @ 6,500rpm. In comparison, the lesser Honda PCX 125 employs a 124cc version of the engine and generates almost 12bhp @ 8,500rpm and 12Nm @ 5,000rpm.
At the moment, Honda’s scooter range is topped by the Forza maxi-scooter. Powering the latest Honda Forza is a 248cc water-cooled OHC single-cylinder motor. It churns out roughly 23bhp @ 7,500rpm and 24Nm @ 6,250rpm.
Meanwhile, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) recently launched its most premium BS6-compliant scooter, Grazia 125. Powering the model is a 124cc air-cooled FI single-cylinder good for 8.14bhp @ 6,000rpm and 10.3Nm @ 5,000rpm. Prices start at almost Rs 74,000 ex-showroom.
