Is the 2020 Honda Air Blade scooter arriving in PH soon?
IT SEEMS that some things are really habit-forming. Moto Sapiens recently discovered that Honda Philippines (HPI) has posted another video teaser on social media, again showing the silhouette of a new scooter model. The company has already used this trick a couple of times, and now we’re seeing a pattern: Building hype by coming up with a series of teasers before the formal product launch.
We find nothing wrong with this sort of guessing game. In fact, thousands of netizens apparently find themselves hooked to this name-that-bike-silhouette challenge, judging by all the predictions they make in the comments.
Honda’s latest teaser comes with a striking caption: “Turn heads with a razor-sharp design.” Thus, the majority of those who’ve posted their predictions think that the teaser is for the 2020 Air Blade scooter.
Launched in Vietnam just a month ago, the Air Blade is powered by a compact liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder motor with a displacement of either 125cc or 150cc. The engine is equipped with advanced tech like Intelligent Low Friction, an electronically controlled ACG starter, and PGM-FI system. All these translate to improved fuel efficiency and low emissions as well as more power.
The 125cc version produces 11.3hp at 8,500rpm and 11.68Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. The 150cc variant, meanwhile, churns out 12.9hp at 8,500rpm and 13.3Nm at 5,000rpm. Honda claims that with its new engines, fuel consumption is reduced by 4% compared with the 2014 Air Blade—a result of a smaller mill and lessening the friction of the internal components.
The latest Air Blade boasts an impressive utilitarian motif. It offers a large-capacity U-box that can accommodate a fullface helmet or two halfface helmets.
This under-seat compartment has a divider to segregate the rider’s personal belongings.
The fuel lid is also positioned just above the main pipe, allowing the rider to top up the fuel tank minus the hassle of opening the seat. Other key features include a convenient multifunction key shutter (with LED around lock), plus integrated switches for the U-box and the fueltank lid.
For safety, the Air Blade comes with either a combi-brake system or single-channel ABS (depending on the variant), a side-stand switch, a USB charger, and a remote response key system (Deluxe and Magnet variants) to help the rider locate his bike in crowded parking areas. Topgear.com.ph