With the Gusto, Mahindra Two-Wheelers enters the mass market 110cc scooter segment and is looking forward to expand its two-wheeler network across the country.
Taking its ticket to the mass market segment, Mahindra Two-Wheelers has launched its newest offering the ‘Gusto’ 110cc scooter in the country priced at introductory Rs. 43,000/- for the DX variant and Rs. 47,000/- for the VX variant (ex-showroom, Delhi). Mahindra will hike prices of the scooter post the festive season. The fourth scooter to be launched in the company’s lineup, the Gusto gets its name from the term Gust symbolising freedom and is also the company’s first global product that will be exported to markets like Africa, Latin America and South Asia among other possible markets. The scooter is also special because it is the first product to be developed by Mahindra independently after the Kinetic take over six years ago.
Design – Measuring 1825 mm in length, 697 mm in width and 1188 mm in height, the Mahindra Gusto uses an Underbone type chassis and has been styled in Italy and boasts off a unisex design with a slight flare for an appealing look. The front is relatively simple but gets nice cuts adding some depth in the design, while the contrast coloured air vents look good. The scooter looks well proportioned from all angles, while the long contoured seat should provide adequate comfort even on long rides. The analogue instrument cluster is surrounded by a brushed aluminium casing and is a simple unit. At the rear, the U-shaped tail light design looks bold and is further complimented by the chunky grab rail that also gets finished in brushed silver.
Features – Much like all of Mahindra’s products, the Gusto 110 boasts off a plethora of features that are also seen on the Centuro motorcycle and include some segment firsts as well. The scooter comes with halogen lamp with LED pilot, height adjustable seat, remote flip key, find me lamps, guide lamps, quick storage and seat click mechanism and opening.
Powertrain – The Mahindra Gusto is powered by a 109.6cc 2-valve, air-cooled all Aluminium M-TEC engine belting out 8 BHP of power at 7500 RPM and 8.5 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM, paired to a CVT transmission. The engine uses advanced features such as a stronger crankshaft and bearings, high inertia magneto, high energy HT coil and series regulator that has been tuned to deliver strong power output, reliability and efficiency. Suspension duties are performed by telescopic forks at the front, while the rear gets a monoshock set-up. Stopping power on the other hand comes from 130 mm drum brakes at the front and rear. The Gusto rides on 12-inch steel wheels wrapped in tubeless tyres, no alloys are on offer. In terms of performance, the Gusto isn’t light at 120 kgs and does the 0-60 km/hr sprint in 13 seconds, while the top speed is rated at 85 km/hr.
Fuel Efficiency – Mahindra states that the Gusto comes with an ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 63 km/l that is on par with competition.
Variants – Mahindra is offering two variants of the Gusto – DX and VX. The lower trim is the DX which gets a smaller battery and lacks seat height adjustment while the VX trim gets a bigger battery and has the seat height adjustment feature.
Competing against the likes of Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter and Hero Maestro, the Mahindra Gusto boasts of an appealing design with an array of features that will surely keep owners happy. Furthermore, the company has managed to price the scooter attractively and it can be seen as a value for money proposition. Mahindra has launched the scooter only for the Northern and Western parts of India, while the launch in other markets will be done in a phased manner over the next few months. Mahindra has spent Rs. 65 crores in developing the Gusto which has been in the making for 25 months.
