Hero MotoCorp at the EICMA 2026 showcased its new flagship adventure motorcycle, expanded its co-developed Harley-Davidson range, officially commenced European deliveries for its VIDA EV arm, and unveiled Novus Labs—a dedicated future-mobility innovation hub.
Next-Generation Premium Motorcycles: Xpulse 450 & Harley X350T
Hero expanded its premium internal combustion engine portfolio with a ground-up flagship adventure motorcycle and a flat-track-inspired roadster:
| Parameter / Feature | Hero Xpulse 450 (Adventure Flagship) | Harley-Davidson X350T (Flat-Tracker) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Setup | 421 cc Liquid-Cooled 4V DOHC Engine | New 350 cc Air-Oil Cooled Engine with class-leading torque |
| Power Output | 34.3 kW (46.6 PS) @ 9,100 rpm | Performance tuned for city agility & highway stability |
| Peak Torque | 38 Nm @ 7,500 rpm | Class-leading torque output |
| Transmission | 6-speed transmission with Assist & Slipper clutch | Electronic throttle body |
| Suspension System | KYB 43mm USD Front Fork with 225mm travel (22-step compression & rebound adjustment); fully adjustable rear | Best-in-class USD front suspension in a trellis frame |
| Electronics & Tech | Category-first Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration | Riding modes, switchable ABS, and Traction Control |
| Market Compliance | Global & India First (joins Xpulse 200, 210 Dakar Edition, and 210 MX) | BS6 OBD2P2 (built primarily for Indian road conditions) |
| Styling Highlights | Rally-developed adventure ergonomics | Chequered flat-track graphics (joins HD X440T & HD X440S) |
Hero also showcased the Hero Scrambler Concept and Hero Classic Concept, blending Dakar-proven adventure DNA with urban styling and traditional Indian artistic heritage.
VIDA EV Brand Begins European Operations & Deliveries
VIDA—powered by Hero—officially kicked off vehicle sales and customer deliveries in Europe across multiple markets through its partner Elektrorider:
- Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Sales Model: Spans 10 European countries (Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Croatia) for the VIDA DIRT.E K3.
- Retail Store Presence: The VIDA VX2 and VIDA DIRT.E K3 will retail in stores across 6 European markets (Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Croatia) starting December 2026.
- VIDA VX2 Specifications: Urban scooter offering a 140 km WMTC range in Eco Mode, a 90 km/h top speed, and twin removable IP67-rated batteries.
- VIDA DIRT.E K3: Award-winning adaptive electric off-roader designed by Tech Centre Germany (TCG) for young riders, featuring a 3-stage tool-adjustable frame platform and a 6Days Limited Edition (100 numbered units in Portuguese livery).
- Future EV Concepts & Prototypes: Unveiled the VIDA UBX neo-naked urban explorer, the Project VXZ electric motorcycle concept (co-developed with Zero Motorcycles), and the VIDA DIRT.E MX7 adult electric off-roader. VIDA also announced Title Sponsorship of TU Munich’s TUfast Moto Electric Team.
Novus Labs & Emerging Technology Hub
Hero introduced Novus Labs, a Chairman-led future-mobility innovation hub operating on an “Explore, Experiment, Execute” philosophy:
- NEX 1 Prototype: A portable, personal folding electric vehicle for short-stretch commutes, featuring a top speed of 15 km/h and a 20 km range.
- NEX 2 Prototype: A high-utility, three-wheeled electric trike featuring a targeted WMTC range of over 150 km, a top speed of above 100 km/h, and generous storage space.
- Smart Tech & Safety Showcase: Displayed AI voice assistants, facial recognition keyless ignition, a 7-inch Android Auto TFT, an EV Energy Dock battery-to-power hub, wireless charging, multi-fuel engine capability, and sensor-based crash prevention tech alongside a Smart Helmet with AI-powered chin-strap detection.
My Thoughts
“Great to finally see the Xpulse 450 in the production ready form, hope they actually launch it at a competitive price now. The 421cc liquid-cooled engine has given Hero Motocorp a lethal rival to the Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure.”
— Avin Richards
