The Maestro Edge and Duet have just become the first totally new from the grounds-up products from Hero MotoCorp since it parted ways with Honda. Hero’s always been the market’s envy, with a more than commanding share of the commuter bike segment, they have held in a vice-like grip for years now. Changing with times, the now all-Indian company has taken an earnest plunge into the scooter segment to gain share in this fast resurgent segment. 

 

Hero has positioned the Edge as a sportier variant of the Maestro, Hero’s existing automatic scooter, launched and developed when together with Honda. The Maestro Edge holds a similar styling to its predecessor, with sharper lines and edges giving it a more contemporary air. In terms of features, the Maestro Edge is up there with its peers, offering smart instruments, loads of storage area including a flat floorboard, telescopic front suspension as is often missed on Indian scooters, apart from alloy wheels (12 inch in front) and the safety of a combined braking system. The brakes themselves are drums – front and rear.

 

The Maestro Edge offers a completely Hero-developed, new 110.9cc, air-cooled, four-stroke and CVT automatic transmission-equipped engine. Power output is 8.31bhp, made at 8,000rpm, with torque peaking at 0.85kgm, at 6,500rpm. As expected, this powerplant is carburettor induction-fed, and conveniently button started.  Top speed claimed is 85kph.

 

The second scooter launched by Hero MotoCorp is the Duet, a more mass market focussed offering, that shares the exact same engine, with the same specifications and output as the Edge. However, it boasts of a metal body and that adds 6kg to its kerb weight over the Maestro Edge. 

 

Hero MotoCorp will put the Maestro Edge on sale October 13 onwards, in two variants – the base LX priced aggressively at Rs 49,500, and the VX for Rs 50,700 (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). Intended to be a family scooter, the Duet will be launched later. Both scooters offer desirable features such as on-board USB mobile charging points, plus remote boot and fuel-filler lid opening.