Hero Passion ProX
Passion gets an upgrade
Having established the Passion as the rightful successor to the Splendor, it was time for a slightly more premium offering. But of course, the same reasons that applied for the Splendor to continue selling parallel to the Passion still applies here. The key is product diversification and Hero knows just how to execute that. The XPro had to look different to widen its appeal to another set of consumer. Still commuters but ones seeking better aesthetic appeal than the regular 110cc motorcycles out there.
The XPro thus brings along sharper styling and offers better features. The new fuel tank is sleeker and extensions have been used to emphasise its width. New LED tail light called for a re-designed tail section while the angular headlamp looks good from the side but not so much from the front. The front bikini fairing also houses a redesigned analogue-digital meter giving out basic readouts. The engine has been carried forward from the Passion Pro thus produces and identical 9.4bhp and 9Nm of torque. Quite naturally, the power delivery remains the same. Linear, predictable and closer first to third gear while fourth is reserved for anything between 40kmph to upwards of 80kmph without much effort. While riding with a pillion, the drawbacks of a smaller capacity engine do come to fore as more revs are required to start from a standstill and uphill sections are slower to negotiate. The handling remains steady with the taut suspension setup which perform their ab-
sorbing duties well to offer a comfortable ride.
We’re expecting the Passion XPro to be priced slightly higher than the Passion Pro for the added styling that it brings along. But a new set of added features including a very useful start-stop function dubbed as i3S by Hero along with an optional front disc make a compelling case towards the extra cost. The XPro will be available in five premium metallic colour options when Hero MotoCorp launches it in January.