The Hindu Business Line : Zooming in on the new Kinetic 4S

THE Kinetic Zoom, the Pune-based company's original two-wheeler and one of its better selling scooter models, has long last got the four-stroke upgrade.

While the veteran Kinetic Zoom ZX will continue to come in the two-stroke avatar, the new Kinetic 4S has now been introduced with a slightly larger four-stroke engine. The 4S, essentially an upgraded Zoom, is targeted at customers in the metros, where fuel efficiency is a major consideration and emission norms will probably become tighter.

The Kinetic Zoom is the upgraded version of the original Kinetic scooter that almost became iconic, with the brand name often used as a generic term to refer to the automatic scooter.

The 4S will attempt to leverage the brand recall and legacy of comfort and ease of use that the original Kinetic was known for. It will retain the essential attributes of electric push-button start and variomatic (gearless) transmission that the original built its reputation on.

Overall, while the original design of the Kinetic Zoom has been retained, improvements and changes have been winged in to enhance the 4S's appeal.

Exterior changes include improvements to ergonomics, component material quality and finish.

Headlamps and turn indicators are now finished in clear lens type glass, the speedometer design layout is new, there are styling touches for the body panels and a new set of decals. The base material for the panels continues to be sheet metal. Suspension parts, engine mounts and exhaust systems have also been tweaked to improve ride quality, reduce noise and vibration, and to improve emission performance.

The 4S's biggest change of course is the new four-stroke, 113.5cc engine that replaces the earlier two-stroke engine. The new single cylinder engine develops a peak power of 7.2 bhp at 7,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 7.7 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The new engine's performance parameters are so typical of a four-stroker, offering the same peak power and lower torque compared to its two-stroke counterpart albeit at a higher engine rpm level.

The 110cc, `Zenium' engine in the Zoom ZX pumps out the same 7.2 bhp, but at a lower 5,500 rpm and a higher peak torque of 9.4 Nm again at a lower 4,500 rpm. The new 4S engine has a smaller bore and a larger stroke compared to the 110cc Zenium engine.

The new four-stroke engine has been mated with variomatic transmission and dual mode ignition timing — one for sudden bursts of power and the other for maximising fuel efficiency. Kinetic is claiming that the new 4S's improved fuel-efficiency should enable it give up to 55 km per litre.

To improve the 4S's value proposition, compared to competing scooters in the segment, Kinetic is offering puncture resistant tyres as standard fitment and has even thrown in a spare `stepney' tyre as part of the package (unlike Honda, which does not offer a spare tyre as part of standard fitment with the Activa and the Dio). In addition, the ex-showroom price of Rs 39,100 (Chennai), includes accessories such as a glove box, number plate, sidestep and visor.

Clearly, the new 4S would rank high on the value-for-money parameter, but, for those looking for design novelty, the Kinetic's dated design (despite its earlier popularity) could pose to be the biggest decelerator.

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