Honda NAVi: Big Surprise in Small Package Launched at Rs. 39,500

After weeks of teasing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has just landed a major surprise package in the form of its new 110cc offering, NAVi, at the Auto Expo. The Japanese motorcycle maker launched the crossover vehicle between a motorcycle and scooter at a mouth-watering Rs. 39,500. It will be available in three variants - Street, Adventure, and Off-road and seems targeted at urban youth.

The NAVi is powered by Honda’s 109.19cc four-stroke single cylinder HET engine, with a V-matic (automatic) gearbox. It is capable of producing 7.83bhp at 7,000rpm, enabling a company-claimed speed of 81 kmph. The Honda NAVi will kick-start a fresh segment, a challenge in the currently ever expanding Indian market, with makers such as Royal Enfield and Bajaj having already taken the plunge just days earlier.

The 110cc NAVi reminds us of the Honda mini trail bike Z50 from the 1970s and more recently the Honda Grom mini-bike which had created waves internationally. With underpinnings and engine of a scooter and body styling of a bike, this short heighted bike looks like it could create a niche of its own in the country!

Honda managed to create quite a hype regarding the NAVi by maintaining absolute secrecy over the vehicle’s details. However, since the beginning of this year, it began teasing the NAVi brand name online. The company did leave some clues as to what was coming. There had been a wide range of speculation over what the new two-wheeler would be. It ranged from a large capacity maxi scooter to a more premium 125cc retro-styled scooter to compete with the likes of the Vespa brand.