Ahead of World Environment Day, Hero MotoCorp has officially introduced its first-ever flex-fuel mass-market motorcycles in the Indian market. The highly anticipated Hero Splendor Plus flex fuel and the more accessible Hero HF Deluxe flex fuel have been launched at an aggressive price point of ₹82,810 and ₹72,792 (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.
The high-profile launch event held in New Delhi was graced by the prominent presence of Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), alongside Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
This green mobility move marks a monumental milestone for the Indian two-wheeler space, bringing alternative fuel options directly to budget-conscious commuter buyers.
Technical Architecture: Decoding the E85 Flex-Fuel Engine
For the unversed, a flex-fuel vehicle is engineered with the mechanical capability to run seamlessly on a wide spectrum of fuel blends. These newly launched Hero commuters can operate on ethanol-blended petrol ranging dynamically from a baseline of 20 percent (E20) all the way up to a hardcore 85 percent ethanol concentration (E85).
To withstand the highly corrosive properties of ethanol fuel and maintain long-term reliability, Hero’s state-of-the-art R&D facility—the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur—has completely overhauled the internal fueling architecture.
Both models come equipped with a heavily upgraded fuel pump, a secondary heavy-duty fuel filter, and a meticulously recalibrated Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mapping system.
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Surprise Performance Bump!
Interestingly, running on E85 fuel does not mean a compromise on power delivery. Thanks to the revised ECU calibration, the trusted 97.2cc single-cylinder motor receives a slight performance edge over the standard petrol version.
The peak power output has gone up by 7 percent to 8.5 bhp (8 hp) at 8,000 rpm, while the maximum torque delivery has increased by 3 percent to 8.3 Nm at 6,000 rpm.
Feature Upgrades and Visual Refresh
Both the Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe models sit roughly 4 percent more expensive than their stock, pure-petrol counter-models. To justify this price premium and make them instantly distinguishable on Indian roads, Hero MotoCorp has bundled several modern convenience features:
- Lime Yellow Aesthetics: Both motorcycles arrive in a striking, exclusive dual-tone Black with Lime Yellow graphics theme.
- Modern Instrumentation: A brand new, highly legible digi-analogue instrument cluster replaces the old fully analogue setup.
- Patented i3S Tech: The Splendor Plus gets Hero’s signature idle-stop-start system to maximize fuel economy during city traffic stops.
- Safety & Practicality: Standard inclusions now cover a smart side-stand engine cut-off mechanism and reliable tubeless tyres.
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Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel & HF Deluxe Engineering Matrix
| Engineering Metric | Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel | Hero HF Deluxe Flex-Fuel |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Displacement | 97.2cc Single-Cylinder | 97.2cc Single-Cylinder |
| Peak Power (on E85) | 8.5 bhp @ 8,000 rpm | 8.5 bhp @ 8,000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 8.3 Nm @ 6,000 rpm | 8.3 Nm @ 6,000 rpm |
| Ethanol Compatibility Range | E20 to E85 Blends | E20 to E85 Blends |
| Ex-Showroom Price (Delhi) | ₹82,810 | ₹72,792 |
Launch Timeline and Ministerial Reactions
During the official launch, Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasized the larger macroeconomic impact, stating, “Hero MotoCorp’s introduction of Flex Fuel motorcycles in the mass segment is a significant step towards reducing crude oil imports, supporting ethanol adoption, empowering our farmers, and strengthening the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Echoing a similar sentiment regarding national energy security, Hardeep Singh Puri noted that such homegrown innovations will significantly lower carbon emissions and build a future-ready mobility ecosystem powered by domestically produced alternative biofuels.
Availability Window
Indian buyers do not have to wait indefinitely to bring these green machines home. The highly anticipated Hero Splendor Plus flex fuel and its sibling variant will be officially available for purchase across dealerships in Delhi and select regions of Maharashtra starting in July 2026. Hero MotoCorp has further confirmed that a phased nationwide commercial rollout will follow shortly thereafter.
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