Will the segment heat up with the rumoured CBR 300R launch? Autocar has a story on this…
You must have read my article – “CBR250R & CBR150R Discontinued; But Will New Models Come?” wherein I have mentioned that only if Honda puts its extreme volume-focused mindset to bay, we will see something interesting from them in the bigger sports segments. And this also means that the new 2017 CBR 250R or the bigger CBR 300R or the new CBR 150R do not have very bright chances of coming to India since the Indian subsidiary is hell bent on choking arch-rival Hero (which is another manufacturer surviving solely on volume-centric products).
2017 CBR 150R or CBR 300R Launch
However, there is a new twist to the story. Generally a reliable source, Autocar has published a story where they claim that Honda will ‘replace‘ the now-discontinued age-old never-updated CBR150R and CBR250R models with newer, more exciting products. They have gone on to speculate that either the 2017 CBR 300R or the actually-2017 CBR 150R may be launched in India and it could be as early as (within) this fiscal.
Basically, Honda, at the beginning of this year, announced that they will launch four new products this financial year and by new they meant ‘all-new’ and not just cosmetic or sticker updates of existing models. Three of them – Africa Twin ADV, Cliq and Grazia 125 scooters have already been introduced and that leaves us with only one model which will be a motorcycle.
If I remember correctly Honda also said that these will be models never launched in India which could rule out newer versions of existing products which may mean they are not looking at the 2017 international spec CBR 250R or the CBR150R. This leaves us with the CBR 300R or the rumoured XRE 160 (160 cc version of XRE 190). So, if Honda is keen on introducing something for the enthusiasts we may see either of these motorcycles making it to our shores.
While we are at this, let us also remember Honda CEO Minoru Kato’s recent statement where he said – ‘it is difficult for Honda to compete with rivals’ (KTM/Royal Enfield) price strategy in the 300-400 cc segment‘ (more details here).
Also Read: Six Cheapest ABS Equipped Motorcycles in India Under 2 Lakhs: List
So, there are a lot of ifs and buts but this Autocar story has reignited the dampened hopes of an interesting, reasonably powered motorcycle from Honda’s stables! And yes, we are also digging further…
