Hero Launches Destini 125 launched: Gets more features than Honda Activa 125

Hero Motocorp launched the Destini 125 cc scooter in India today. This marks the official entry of the world’s biggest two wheeler company into the 125 cc scooter game. The company has also a 125 cc version of the Maestro Edge on cards, but that will be launched some time later.

Hero has priced the Destini 125 at a competitive Rs. 54,650 (Lx variant) and Rs. 57,500 (Vx variant), ex-showroom, Delhi. This makes it the second most affordable scooter in the 125 cc scooter segment, the cheapest one being the Mahindra Gusto 125. For comparison, the best selling scooter in this segment, the Access 125 starts at Rs. 55,666 while the Honda Activa 125 starts at Rs. 59,921. We reported just a few days back how the Destini could be among the cheapest scooter of its category and that turned to be true. Click below to watch our first ride review:

Talking of specifications, the scooter gets powered by a 125 cc energy boost engine producing 8.7 Bhp at 6750 rpm and 10.2 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. This is similar to what the competition offers. What, however, is not similar is the introduction of the i3s (idle-Stop-Start System), which is a first for the segment. Hero claims that this feature will help in enhancing the fuel efficiency of the scooter.

Other convenience and safety features include digital-analogue instrument cluster, Integrated Braking System (IBS), side stand indicator, service reminder, pass switch, and external fuel filling. All these features are not available on the Honda Activa 125. Apart from these, there is also remote key opening, mobile charging port and boot light on offer, though the latter two options come only in the top end Vx variant. The scooter has been completely developed in-house at the company’s Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur.

According to Hero, the Destini 125 has targeted towards young professionals and youth living in metro/mini-metro cities. For the same, the company has equipped the scooter with styling elements like a big chrome slab in the front apron, stylish tail lamps and indicators, body coloured mirrors and dual tone seat cover. Some of these features, however, are limited to the top end Vx variant.

Hero will also bring out the Maestro 125 sometime later that will bring more power to the table along being more aggressively styled. It will be interesting to see how the Destini 125 will affect the sales of the segment leaders like the Suzuki 125 and the Honda Activa 125.