New launches marked this year as manufacturers competed with each other to satiate the demand for new and interesting automatic scooters.
The year also witnessed many outstanding products in their upgraded avatars, which further increased excitement for the scooter lovers.
So, let's check out all the exciting scooters launched or updated during the year 2014.
Photograph: Courtesy, Vespa
Vespa Elegante Limited Edition
In September, Piaggio launched a special Vespa Elegante Limited Edition scooter in India.
The scooter was based on the VX 125 and gets the same engineering with lots of cosmetic upgrades. New enhancement in the Elegante Edition are Metallic Brown and Pearl White colour options, new facia, chrome guards, split seats in Crimson and Beige and colour coordinated Elegante Helmet.
It also gets a limited edition Elegante badge that will come embossed in only 3,500 units.
Price of the scooter is Rs 78,999 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and it targets India's discerning youth.
Photograph: Courtesy, Hero MotoCorp
Hero Maestro
Recently, Hero Motocorp updated its male specific scooter -- Maestro with some new colours and body graphics. Now the scooter is available in 7 exciting colour options including Panther Black, Magnetic Matte Grey, Force Silver, Vital White, Blazing Red, Electric Blue and a dual tone Groovy Medley along with some sporty decals.
Dimensionally and mechanically it is the same 109cc Maestro with an unrevised price tag.
Photograph: Courtesy, Mahindra Two Wheelers
Mahindra Gusto
Mahindra surprised everyone by launching its first 110cc scooter -- Gusto in September with some first-in-class features. Powered by an 109.6cc M-TEC engine, the sporty scooter gets LED pilot lamps, seat click mechanism and a quick storage as standard features.
The most unique feature of the scooter -- height adjustable seat comes with the Vx variant, priced at Rs 47,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The base variant -- Dx has been priced at Rs 43,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and misses the remote flip key feature, which comes with the Vx.
Photograph: Courtesy, TVS Motor
TVS Scooty Zest
TVS came up with a new model of the most popular scooterette brand in India, the Scooty Zest in August, with a price tag of Rs 42,300 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The scooter was already unveiled at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo in February and its technology is based on the popular Jupiter, launched in September 2013.
With a female specific design and some first-in-class features, it gets the same peppy 109.7cc CVT-i engine, powering the Jupiter as well.
With 7.9bhp of maximum power, the engine is made to achieve 0 to 60kmph mark in just 11.1 seconds.
Photograph: Courtesy, Mahindra Two Wheelers
Mahindra Rodeo UZO
Keeping the youth in mind, Mahindra introduced a sportier version of the Rodeo RZ scooter -- UZO 125 in August, priced at Rs 47,957 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Mahindra Rodeo UZO 125 got a major cosmetic update, while retaining the same engineering of the standard version.
The scooter received a new flamboyant paint scheme with full body graphics, painted wheels and seat with contrast lining.
Photograph: Courtesy, TVS Motor
2014 TVS Wego
India Design Mark award winner of 2013 -- TVS Wego introduced in a more stylish and convenient avatar in May 2014. Features added to the scooter are -- new paint scheme with sporty graphics, fully digital instrument panel, stainless steel muffler guard, black alloys, dual side handle lock, ignition key glow, under-seat mobile charger, gas charged rear suspension, parking brake and Econometer.
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
Suzuki Let's
Unveiled at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo in February, Suzuki Let's entered the market in May with a very affordable price tag of Rs 43,430 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Apart from the dynamic styling, the scooter has got all the required features to target youth including tubeless tyres, telescopic front forks, under-seat mobile charger and more.
However, the most important one is its peppy 110cc SEP (Suzuki ECO Performance) engine, which produces best-in-class power of 8.7bhp and claims to return highest 63kmpl of mileage in standard conditions.
Photograph: Courtesy, Hero MotoCorp
2014 Hero Pleasure
In October 2014, Hero MotoCorp unveiled a fleet of its new and updated products including the 2014 Pleasure, which was launched in April 2014.
The scooter received major updates in its styling and got a new IBS (Integrated Braking System) technology for safe braking.
The new features added to the scooter are new meter console, boot light in luggage box, mobile charging socket, tubeless tires and new dual tone paint scheme with 9 options.
The 2014 Hero Pleasure is priced at Rs 42,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and it is also available with alloy wheels with an extra cost of around Rs 2,000.
Photograph: MotorBeam
Honda Activa 125
The most awaited scooter of 2014, the Honda Activa 125 was uncovered at the Indian Auto Expo in February. It is an upgraded version of India's best selling automatic scooter -- Activa and received both the cosmetic as well as mechanical updates.
The Activa 125 features a luxurious styling and a more powerful 125cc air-cooled engine making 8.6bhp. It also became the first Honda scooter to get telescopic front forks with 12" wheels along with an option of alloy and front disc brake with the Deluxe variant.
Launched in April 2014, the Activa 125 is priced at Rs 52,752 and Rs 58,461 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Standard and Deluxe variants respectively.
Photograph: Courtesy, Vespa
Vespa S 125
Finally, Piaggio added a different looking scooter -- Vespa S 125 to its Indian product line-up in March 2014 with a flagship price tag of Rs 75,442 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The scooter shares all the engineering of Vespa VX 125 and LX 125, which are already available in India. However, the styling is much different with some round shaped elements replaced by rectangular ones like headlight and rear view mirrors.
The front of the Vespa S 125 looks much different from the other two models, while the rear gets some minor tweaks. The newly designed seat also makes it sportier.
Photograph: Courtesy, LML
LML Star Euro 150
LML, the company known for its fantastic two and four stroke geared scooters in India till a decade ago, launched a 150cc gearless scooter -- Star Euro 150 Automatic in February 2014.
It is the same retro styled gearless scooter, which is very popular in the European market. Apart from its classic styling, the LML Star Euro 150 gets a 150cc air-cooled engine, which is mated to a CVT transmission and churns out 9.7bhp.
It is available in three different trims -- Standard, Front Disc Brake and Multi-colour, priced at Rs 54,014, Rs 57,918 and Rs 59,422 (ex-showroom, Gujrat) respectively. The Scooters are available in selected cities.
Photograph: Courtesy, MotorBeam
Yamaha Alpha
Yamaha introduced a 110cc scooter -- Alpha, based on the sporty Ray in February. However, this one is proposed as a perfect family ride by the company featuring modern and refined styling.
Excellent on-board comfort in one-up or tandem riding, best-in-class storage capacity, lightweight and easy to handle design.
Maximum power output of the scooter is 7bhp, which is 1bhp lesser than many other models in the respective segment. But you won't feel any lag in the performance, due to the refinement of the mill and better aerodynamics of the scooter.
The Yamaha Alpha comes with a price tag of Rs 48,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
