Yamaha’s Latest Hybrid Scooter Will Leave You Fascin(o)ated!

Yamaha surprised us by unveiling the 2021 Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid at the Yamaha FZ-X’s launch event. The retro-themed Fascino had a few chinks in its armour, but Yamaha has ironed them all out, even throwing in some new features for 2021. Here’s everything you need to know:

Expected Price, Launch Timeline, And Rivals

Yamaha says the prices for the 2021 Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid will be revealed either by the end of this month or early next month. Considering the number of updates, the premium will likely be substantial. Expect the updated scooter to be priced at around Rs 15,000 more than the current iteration, which retails at Rs 72,030 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base variant. Once launched, it’ll be the only mild-hybrid scooter on sale.

The scooter will be available in two variants: front disc and front drum. The former will come in as many as nine shades, them being Vivid Red Special (New), Matt Black Special (New), Cool Blue Metallic (New), Dark Matt Blue, Suave Copper, Yellow Cocktail, Cyan Blue, Vivid Red, and Metallic Black. The drum variant will be available in seven body colours: Vivid Red (New), Cool Blue Metallic (New), Yellow Cocktail (New), Dark Matt Blue, Suave Copper, Cyan Blue, and Metallic Black.

The 2021 Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid will go up against the Honda Activa 125, Suzuki Access 125, Hero Maestro Edge 125, and Vespa Notte 125.

Feature-loaded and how!

The 2021 Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid features an all-LED headlamp and tail lamp, a welcome change from its predecessor’s all-bulb units. Even the analogue instrument cluster has been updated to a fully digital one with Bluetooth connectivity. This enables the rider to access features, including locating one’s parked vehicle, answer back, riding history, parking record, and hazard lamp function. All these are offered only in the front disc brake variant. There’s also an optional USB charging port for added convenience.

Additionally, the scooter also comes with a raft of standard features, including a side-stand engine cut-off function, a silent starter, Automatic Stop and Start System, foldable utility hook, a generous 21-litre underseat storage, and CBS.

A smart motor indeed

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The 2021 Fascino is powered by a 125cc air-cooled fuel-injected single-cylinder engine. This is the same motor as the current model, and it makes the same 8.2PS at 6500rpm. However, the engine is now enhanced by the Smart Motor Generator, which acts as a torque assisting motor to help the scooter accelerate from a stop.

Consequently, the peak torque has gone up from 9.7Nm at 5000rpm to 10.3Nm at the same revs. The assist function automatically turns off after three seconds once the scooter starts moving, or the throttle is cut, or the engine rpm exceeds a certain level. There’s a dedicated tell-tale light for this function as well.

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Yamaha claims the scooter offers 16 percent more mileage compared to the 113cc version. In our tests, the current-generation Fascino returned an impressive 65.92kmpl mileage in the city and 57.30kmpl on the highway. Expect the 2021 model to be slightly more efficient now that the mild-hybrid feature is here.

Same old underpinnings

Other aspects of the scooter have remained unchanged. It continues with the same telescopic front fork, single rear shock absorber setup, 190mm disc or a drum brake up front and a drum at the rear, and 12-inch front and 10-inch rear wheels wrapped in 90-section front and 110-section rear tyres, respectively. Interestingly, despite the new features, the 2021 model weighs the same 99kg (kerb) as before. It is also the lightest scooter in both 125cc and 110cc segments.