Honda ADV350 and Vario 160 are patented in India

The Honda ADV350 and Vario 160 scooters manufactured by Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) have been filed in our market for patents. Both scooters may be introduced in India by the Japanese brand. Honda has already launched both scooters in international markets, and it might consider launching them here.

• A 330cc, 29hp engine powers the Honda ADV350 maxi-scooter
• The engine of the Vario 160 is 156.9cc and produces 15.4 horsepower

Honda ADV350 : more information

The Honda ADV350 is a maxi scooter explicitly designed for off-road use. It was unveiled at EICMA 2021 and is currently available in overseas markets such as the UK. A single-cylinder, 330cc liquid-cooled engine produces 29hp and 31.5Nm. With its USD fork and twin shock absorbers at the rear, 15-inch wheels on the front, and 14-inch wheels on the back, the maxi-scooter features a 15-inch front wheel and 14-inch rear wheel. It has front and rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. 

It costs around Rs 5.50 lakh to buy the Honda ADV350 in the UK, so it’s pretty expensive. In India, the BMW C400 GT maxi-scooter (Rs 10.40 lakh, ex-showroom) has been a surprising hit, so Honda may decide to introduce the ADV350 here, too. It is yet to be determined whether it will be assembled locally or via the CBU route.

At present, the only maxi-scooter that comes close to reaching the ADV350’s price point is the recently released Keeway Vieste 300, which costs Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

Honda Vario 160 : more information

Our market is probably more relevant to the Honda Vario 160 out of these two scooters. Vario 160 can compete with premium scooters like Yamaha Aerox 155 and Aprilia SXR 160 if released in India. There are 15.4 Horsepower and 13.8 Newton Meters of torque generated by the Vario 160’s 156.9cc engine, which is very comparable to the Aerox 155’s output of 15hp and 13.9Nm.

Also read: Delivery of Simple ONE electric scooters is again delayed

Honda will have to assemble the Vario 160 locally, like Yamaha does for the Aerox 155, if they wish to make the Vario 160 competitive and take a slice of the Aerox 155’s sales. Currently, Vario 160 is available for purchase in Indonesia at a price of IDR 26,339,000 (around Rs 1.41 lakh).

Is it appropriate for Honda to launch the ADV350 and Vario 160 in India? Share your thoughts in the comments.