New Honda Activa Spied: Gets Cosmetic Updates & More

But, is it the new Activa 6G or the 2019 Activa 125? We analyse

• Cosmetic changes include a new grab rail, a chrome strip and a revised instrument cluster.
• We expect the new Activa to arrive later this year.
• The new Activa may be powered by a BSVI-ready engine.
• Will be the first Honda-badged scooter to feature Idle Stop System in India.

Honda currently has seven models in its portfolio, but the Activa range has been the dominant force behind Honda’s success in India. And now, it seems like the company is prepping up to launch the 2019 Activa. As the test mule is covered in heavy camouflage, the new scooter could either be the new Activa 6G or the 2019 Activa 125. However, we expect the scooter spotted testing to be the new Honda Activa 125 as the Activa 5G was launched last year only.

Coming to the spy images, some design changes can easily be spotted. For starters, the 2019 Activa 125 gets a new grab rail, a chrome strip and a redesigned instrument cluster. Also, Honda has ditched the choke on the new Activa and in its place is a nifty cubby hole as seen on the Honda Grazia. We are also expecting the new Activa to get a redesigned front with a new LED headlamp cluster. We could also spot an Idle Stop System (same as Hero’s i3S technology) switch on the right-hand side of the handlebar in the spy images. Even though this isn’t an all-new feature, it will be a first for any Honda scooter in India. In the international market, Honda’s PCX 125 already features this Idle Stop System. Currently, Hero’s Desitni 125 is the only scooter in India that comes with this feature.

As Honda has dumped the choke system, we expect the new Activa to get either an auto-choke system or fuel injection. However, the latter is more likely because, with the new emission norms set to kick in from next year, the only viable option is to go for fuel-injection rather than auto choke. The current-gen Activa 125 is powered by a 124.9cc, single-cylinder BSIV engine that puts out 8.52PS at 6500rpm and 10.54 Nm at 5000rpm, but we expect the upcoming scooter to get a BSVI-ready engine. Suspension duties are taken care of by telescopic forks at the front and a three-step adjustable suspension at the rear in the current-gen Activa 125. 

There is no word on the prices, yet. But we assume that the new Activa 125 will command a premium of around Rs 4000-6000 over the Activa 125 disc brake variant which retails at Rs 64,307 (ex-showroom, Delhi). In terms of rivals, if the test mule does turn out to be the new Activa 125, it will go up against the Suzuki Access. And if it is the new Activa 6G, then it will lock horns with the TVS Jupiter, the Hero Maestro Edge and the Yamaha Fascino.

Image credit: Shaunak Sarpotdar