Hero XPulse 200 imagined with a bigger powerplant and cues from Hero XF3R concept

The Hero XPulse 200 is seen as a spiritual successor of the erstwhile Hero Impulse. While the latter left people desiring for a bigger engine, the XPulse 200’s commuter centric mill leaves a lot desired. Oberdan Bezzi, an Italian automotive designer, has imagined the Hero XPulse 200 with a bigger engine – the Hero XPulse 301.

One look at the machine and you would be reminded of the Hero XF3R concept showcased at Auto Expo 2016. The exhaust canister of the rendered Hero XPulse 301 has the same high-mounted location as that of the Hero XF3R. Besides that, the powertrain’s design and the exhaust pipes exiting the mill are strikingly similar to those of the Hero XPulse 200.

The suspension setup of the rendered Hero XPulse 301 includes upside-down fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. In comparison, the Hero XPulse 200 uses conventional telescopic fork up front and a 10-step adjustable (preload-only) monoshock. An engine under-cowl protects the powerplant. If Hero ever decides to build a bigger capacity XPulse, it could utilise the 300 cc+ engine from the XF3R concept. This engine traces its origins to the 200 cc powerplant from the Hero Xtreme 200R and the Hero XPulse 200.

The rendered Hero XPulse 301 has disc brakes at both ends, with a radially mounted calliper in the front. Its swingarm is a premium die-cast unit. However, the Hero XPulse 200 utilises a traditional box-type unit. This has helped Hero keep the pricing of the Hero XPulse 200 at a very attractive INR 97,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Oberdan’s rendering showcases a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with a big radiator shroud. The Hero XPulse 200 is powered by a 199.6 cc air-cooled, 2-valve mill. Coupled to a 5-speed gearbox, this engine churns out 18.4 PS of power and 17.1 Nm of torque. Hero offers the dual-purpose XPulse 200 with a carburettor in standard variant. A fuel-injected variant is also on offer.

Hero has not officially confirmed a bigger XPulse at the moment. However, it has said that it will launch some models with engine capacity above 150-400 cc.

[Image Source: Motosketches]

Also Read: Top 5 Hero concept models that never made it to production