It has been long time coming for a new motorcycle from Mahindra and Mahindra’s two wheelers’ stable. Mahindra Group had acquired Kinetic Motors in 2008 to form Mahindra 2 Wheelers. The company had a disastrous entry into the commuter motorcycle segment with the `Stallio’ motorcycle that grounded due to gearbox issues couple of years ago. While their scooters Duro and Rodeo along with Flyte are doing well, it is the commuter motorcycle segment where all the action is centred. Mahindra has decided re-enter the fray with not just one but two new offerings in `Pantero’ and `Centuro’, two different motorcycles of the same capacity in the 110 cc segment to fulfil various needs of consumers.
Mahindra says that both the motorcycles were designed completely in-house at the Mahindra R&D Centre in Pune in 18 months. Both motorcycles are powered by the MCi-5 engine that is manufactured at Pithampur plant near Indore. Mahindra officials emphasised that Pantero was a ground up effort after the Stallio issue and they worked on a new engineering approach coming up with a new vehicle even though it looks familiar on the exterior side.
Wheelsunplugged was at the two motorcycles unveiling in Pune and here is the first impressions of the Pantero motorcycle to be launched by second week of January.
Styling and design:
The first look at the Mahindra Pantero immediately reminds you of the now-stalled bike `Stallio’. The sleek body, the tail lamps and the front fascia looks similar. But there are also some changes made like the new flaming decals on the tank which also has slightly extra knee recess. The decals actually accentuate the sleek styling of the Pantero, which is available in four colours: Fiery Red, Sterling Silver, Blazing Black and Cool Black. When you sit on the seat with knees tucked in at the tank, you might feel that it is smaller than it looks but that’s only because of the design otherwise the tank can hold 13.7 litres.
The Pantero is equipped with now standard features like LED pilot and tail lamps, digital dashboard, choke on the handlebar which is again a good feature to have. The motorcycle also comes with LED pilot lamps & LED Tail lamps which Mahindra says will ensure the safety of the rider during twilight and foggy winter conditions when there is lower visibility.
Pantero’s digital dash board comes equipped with a speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer and clock, which also had an inbuilt capability to indicate the distance travelled in one trip.
Performance and ride:
One of the major thorns or should we say the major flaw in Stallio was its gearbox issues and engine vibes which really put off a lot of consumers. So Mahindra went back to the drawing board and has come up with the indigenously developed MCi 5 (Micro Chip Ignited 5-Curve) engine. The same powerplant serves on both Pantero and Centuro and both the bikes have similar power figures.
The Mahindra Pantero MCi 5 engine power figures are revealed as 8.5 BHP @ 7500 RPM. Compared to its counterparts in the 100-110 cc commuter segment bikes, the Pantero on paper is more powerful. There will be a kick start and electric start variant that will be available from the launch. We were given the electric start variant and there were no issues as the bike fired up smoothly all the time and also the kick start worked just fine.
Once slotted to first gear, the bike smoothly hurls itself ahead and the clutch action is light. The motorcycle is certainly rev-happy which might be a surprising thing to say for a commuter segment motorcycle and there is a decent amount of pick-up. The motorcycle comes with the constant mesh 4 speed gearbox and it was an easy affair upshifting while the bike revved hard, relatively speaking with respect to a commuter segment motorcycle.
We tested the bike with our photographer in tow and on the steep inclines and curvy roads in a popular Pune resort and the bike purred on with few downshifts except in the case of few complete U-turns. The bike has a wheel-base of 1265 mm which proves sufficiently stable during cornering. The bike is equipped with double cradle steel tubular structure which gives the bike stability.
Pantero is literally very sleek and that results in the bike having a low turning radius, which will help riders to navigate through bad roads and traffic with ease. Mahindra says that the bike has been targeted at the young first time buyers and the bike might certainly impress the young crowd with its riding impression.
Economy:
Pantero comes with the in-house designed MCi 5 engine which Mahindra claims delivers mileage of 79.5 kmpl (as per ARAI). Since fuel economy is the major deciding factor along with the price, Mahindra might see several buyers if the bike meets its promise.
Another major point which Mahindra has highlighted is the long seat which is 774 mm and the seat gives riders along with pillion some respite over long distance commutes or even the daily commute where one would carry a backpack and there would be another pillion tagging along, who has to literally struggle with the seating space. In that way, the bike addresses a major commuter segment issue.
The bike comes with two drum brakes while front is a drum brake with 130 mm and also rear is shod with a drum 130 mm brake which does an adequate job. Another good thing was the MRF tyres shod with the bikes which were sticky and Mahindra said that the Pantero will come equipped with the same set of tyres and it is a welcome addition.
The Pantero is available with a standard warranty of 2 years and optional extended warranty of up to 3 years. Mahindra has stated that Pantero will be available in four variants – Self Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Digital Console, Self-Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Analog Console, Kick Start/ Cast Alloy Wheels/ Analog Console and Kick Start/ Spoke/ Analog Console. While Mahindra had not revealed the price at the first impression ride, we expect it to be near Rs 45,000 mark.
Verdict:
The 100-110 cc segment is a highly competitive segment in the Indian two-wheeler market and the segment provides the bulk of the volume for market leader Hero MotoCorp. More so, this segment is also crucial for Mahindra to establish credibility as a serious two-wheeler player in the market and we think Pantero is right step in that direction.
The bike while looking similar to its predecessor has come up with a completely new engine which could turn the way around for Mahindra 2 Wheelers and help get a foothold in the throbbing two-wheeler market.
Pantero specification:
• Engine: Single Cylinder, 4-stroke, Air cooled, Mci-5 engine
• Displacement: 106.7 cc
• Bore X Stroke: 52.4 X 49.5 mm
• Maximum Power: 8.5 PS @ 7500 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 8.5 Nm @ 5500 rpm
• Starting System : Electric Start / Kick Start
• Transmission: Gear Box Constant mesh 4 Speed
• Frame: Double cradle steel Tubular structure
• Suspension: FRONT-Telescopic, Coil spring. REAR-Coiled 5-step adjustable
• Brake: FRONT-Drum – 130 mm, REAR-Drum – 130 mm
• Tyre Size: FRONT-2.75” x 18” REAR-3.0” x 18”
• Battery: Electric Start-12V / 5 Ah Kick Start-12V / 2.5 Ah
• Headlamp: 12 V – 35W/35W – Halogen(Multi-reflector)
• Tail lamp: LED Type
• Speedometer: Digital / Analog
• Dry Weight: 110.5 kg
• Kerb Weight (90% fuel filled): 120Kg
• Overall Length: 2000 mm
• Overall Width: 735 mm
• Overall Height: 1050 mm
• Seat Height: 805 mm
• Wheel Base: 1265 mm
• Minimum Ground Clearance: 165 mm
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.7 liters
• Other Features: White Twin Pilot Lamps -LED Type
Mahindra Pantero 110 cc first impressions | wheelsunplugged.com