The Hindu Business Line : Cosmetic touches for Unicorn

The 150cc-plus performance biking segment has expanded in size dramatically in the last two years. And the Bajaj Pulsar has managed to hold on to its share of the market though competition has been nipping at its (w)heels.

The Honda Unicorn and then the TVS Apache were the most serious competitors to the Pulsar's easy leadership position. But with three engine options straddling the 150cc to 200cc size segment, the Pulsar still manages to sit pretty at the top.

But when the segment leader gives its bike a design makeover, can the competition be far behind. While Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has just introduced a restyled, sporty version of the Unicorn, TVS Motor is busy readying a new Apache to be launched in May.

Sporty Styling

The new Honda variant is largely a cosmetic makeover that will attempt to infuse a bit more of excitement into the Unicorn's otherwise excessively practicality focused image. The basic styling and build of the bike have been retained.

The new Honda Unicorn's sporty styling has been achieved with the use of new stickering and a new fairing combination. The curved, masculine fuel tank and the trademark double tail lamp continue to be featured in the new Unicorn too.

Some of the new features include matt black alloy wheels, dual-tone — matt-black and matt-silver coated — finish for the engine and crankcase, new range of body colours and a new set of racy body graphics.

The crankcase also gets new body coloured lettering for the Honda badge. The front cowl, fairing and headlamp combo has been changed with the new one being more compact and sporting a snazzier visor.

Power ride

The Unicorn will continue to be powered by the same Honda four-stroke, 150cc engine. With the powerful 13.3-bhp engine, Unicorn delivers the best pick-up in its class and the refined mill develops high torque at practical operating speeds. The state-of-the-art mono-suspension, the strong, yet flexible diamond frame chassis and the puncture resistant Tuff-up tube continue to be part of standard fitment with the new Unicorn.

The new sporty Unicorn is priced at Rs 58,150 (ex-showroom, Delhi), Rs 55,950 (ex-showroom, Pune), Rs 57,550 (ex-showroom, Bangalore) and Rs 58,575 (ex-showroom, Kolkata). The bike is to be launched nation-wide on April 9.

In addition to the new sporty Unicorn, to celebrate the Honda Moto GP team sweeping all the titles of Team, Rider and Constructor championship, HMSI has announced the launch of its limited edition `Unicorn Grand Prix'. The Unicorn GP will be targeted at bike enthusiasts in India.

Bookings for the new limited edition Unicorn will start from the second week of May. A total of only 2,500 units will be manufactured and available till June 2007.

The `Unicorn Grand Prix' is priced at Rs 59,425 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

S. Muralidhar

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