Hero’s Iconic Commuter Makes A Comeback

Almost a month after it was spotted, the Hero Passion Plus has silently been relaunched in India. Here’s everything you need to know about it

What’s The Price And Who Are Its Rivals?

At Rs 76,301 (ex-showroom Delhi), it slots right between the Splendor Plus (Rs 73,481 onwards) and the Splendor Plus Xtec (Rs 78,251). It then competes against the Honda Shine 100 (Rs 64,900 ESR Delhi) and the Bajaj Platina 100 (Rs 67,808 ESR Delhi).

What’s New? 

In terms of features, the Passion Plus gets a semi-digital console with a tripmeter, odometer and a fuel gauge with tell-tale lights on the left. But it’s not all spartan (as it’s usually been with the Passion Plus) and this one does have some nice features. 

For beginners, there’s a side-stand indicator. Upping the convenience quotient is a mobile charging port and a neat little lockable utility case on the right side. The charging port is on the left switchgear and we’re glad to see that a manufacturer has, for once, put the charger at a very convenient place. Additionally, Hero has also incorporated their i3s start/stop technology into the engine.

The motorcycle features a double cradle frame that houses the engine, along with a telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers for suspension. However, weighing in at 115kg, it’s actually the heaviest among Hero's 100cc models. The braking consists of 130mm drum brakes at both ends. There’s 18-inch alloy wheels that look a bit sleeker than before. You get 80/100-sized tubeless tyres at both ends. The bike’s on sale in three colourways: Sports Red, Black Nexus Blue and Black Heavy Grey, out of which we feel the last one looks the most attractive. That said, the Black Nexus Blue will make you reminisce about the older model the most. 

What’s Unchanged? 

 What’s evident up front is the design, and Hero hasn’t really tinkered around with it. The engine hasn’t been changed as well and it’s the same air-cooled, 97.2cc, single-cylinder sloper engine that we’ve seen on the HF Deluxe and the HF 100. With its most recent update, the little mill is now BS6.2 compliant as well. On the Passion Plus too, it makes 8.02PS and 8.05Nm.

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What Should’ve Been Changed? 

The price! At Rs 76,301, it’s a whole lot more expensive than its rivals. 

ZigSays

Priced at Rs 76,031 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Passion Plus is definitely not cheap. Especially when you consider the fact that it competes against the Honda Shine 100 and the Bajaj Platina 100, both of which are priced very competitively. So if budget is a constraint, the HF Deluxe and the HF 100 might make more sense as commuters. But if you’re spending this much money, the Splendor Plus Xtec makes a lot more sense, offering a whole lot of new features for a premium of less than Rs 2,000.