Photographs: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com Sagar Basandani
Top 10 engine technologies Indian two-wheeler makers employ to give you the best biking experience
India is the most competitive two-wheeler market in the world. Here, technologies get outdated in a short span of time.
To stay in the hunt, all the major two-wheeler manufacturers give their best to update technologies ASAP.
As Indian consumers relish mileage delivery, manufacturers tend to design engines that are fuel efficient and offer solid performance too.
Here are top 10 engine technologies that two-wheeler manufacturers use in India.
1. SEP or Suzuki Eco Performance Technology
Suzuki has designed this engine technology to bless its latest two-wheelers including the recently launched Let's, with the best-in-class mileage and performance.
What does this technology do?
This cutting-edge technology makes mechanical alterations such as reduction in weight and change in design of the components more effective.
Result:
- It offers better mileage and enhances the performance of the vehicle
- Using SEP, 110cc scooter Let's delivers best-in-class mileage and power of 63kmpl and 8.7bhp respectively
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2. HET or Honda Eco Technology
Image: Honda ActivaPhotographs: BikeDekho.com
Honda claims to be the most fuel efficient engine maker in the scooter and commuter motorcycle segment in the country because of its patented HET.
What does this technology do?
The technology minimises the friction by offsetting crank, weight reduction of the reciprocating parts, low tension piston ring and bearing oil seal betterment.
Result:
- Improves combustion by using superior ignitable nickel spark plug and enhanced inlet port
- Also works to enhance machine transmission by taking the pulley converter ratio to the extreme point and at the same time enhancing driving force. This allows the engine to sustain power; mileage is improved too
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3. APDV engine
Image: Splendor iSmartPhotographs: MotorBeam.com
This Hero MotoCorp-designed technology finds its place in the latest Splendor iSmart and all the other commuter bikes produced by the company.
APDV stands for: Advanced Pro Series Digital Variable ignition system technology.
What does this technology do?
It controls the spark plug ignition digitally.
Result:
- Better performance and improved burning of fuel
- Pick-up of the bike also gets better with APDV
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4. DTS-i or Digital Twin-Spark Ignition technology
Image: Bajaj PulsarPhotographs: bajajauto.com
Patented by Bajaj Auto this technology has been invented for quicker and proper combustion.
What does this technology do?
Uses one spark plug each at the two opposite sides of the combustion chamber controlled by a microprocessor. This is also the reason why the technology is named as Digital Twin-Spark Ignition technology.
Result:
- Saves on fuel and offers better performance
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5. Triple spark technology
Image: Bajaj Pulsar 200NSPhotographs: bajajauto.com
Bajaj's latest technology has been introduced in Pulsar 200NS.
What does this technology do?
This technology incorporates three spark plugs in the engine chamber using the ECU (engine control unit).
The design of the chamber is also modified bringing into use pent-roof combustion chamber. This places the spark plugs at adjacent angles
Result:
- Increases fuel efficiency of the machine by up to 13kmpl
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6. Four Valve technology
Image: Bajaj Discover 100TPhotographs: bajajauto.com
This technology, otherwise used for high-end bikes, is designed for commuter bikes only by Bajaj Auto Limited to make its products competitive.
What does this technology do?
Provides increased area for inlet and exhaust resulting in better scavenging and higher power output of the machine.
Result:
- Enhances engine's pick-up with 30 per cent more power
- Adds fuel efficiency
- Gives out low emissions besides increasing the acceleration range
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7. Electronic Fuel Injection Technology
Image: Royal Enfield Classic 500Photographs: Shrawan Raja
This technology, mostly used in four-wheelers, has been incorporated into two-wheelers to make them fuel efficient and perform better.
What does this technology do?
In this technology, digitally controlled injectors replace the carburetor and the fuel is directly fed to the combustion chamber.
Result:
- It enhances the combustion of the engine and helps it deliver better mileage and power output, while reducing the emissions
- Also keeps the maintenance cost of the engine low and allows for a smoother, quicker ignition
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8. i3S Technology
Image: Splendor iSmartPhotographs: MotorBeam.com
Hero Motocorp's patented i3S technology is the most innovative technology till now.
What does this technology do?
This technology -- the only bike that incorporates this technology is Hero MotoCorp's Splendor iSmart -- turns off your engines when you leave the motor idle and as soon as you pull the clutch, it starts and you are on the move. It is also known as Idle Stop and Start System.
Result:
- Reduces fuel consumption
- Offers superior mileage
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9. EcoThrust technology
Image: TVS Flame DS125Photographs: tvsflame.com
TVS has designed this technology to enhance the economy and performance of its mills using some internal design changes.
What does this technology do?
Ecothrust engines use Molycoat Piston to reduce friction inside the cylinder. The advanced technology keeps an eye on variables like speed, rider weight and ride conditions to manage Optimal Ignition Curve.
Result:
- Enhances the mill's performance and the ride becomes swifter and pleasant
- Power and torque values increase with incorporation of this brilliant technology
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10. MCi-5 Engine technology
Image: Mahindra CenturoPhotographs: mahindracenturo.com
Mahindra two-wheeler offers the MCi-5 technology in two of its state-of-the-art commuter bikes -- Pantero and Centuro -- which stand for Micro Chip Ignited-5 Curve engine.
What does this technology do?
It uses micro chip controlled ignition system for better combustion of fuel inside the combustion chamber, resulting in an optimised output curve.
Result:
- MCi-5 engine or Micro Chip ignited-5 Curve engine is designed for ultimate mileage delivery along with superior power results, while judging the road conditions while on the move
- Balancing engine output figures to the best, it takes riding comfort to the next level
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