The quirky-looking tiny scooter failed to sway the Indian market, but in 2021, it will try to revive its fate in the market of the United States
Launched in 2016, Honda Navi was a cute looking quirky scooter which was inspired by the mini structure of the famous Honda Grom motorcycle. When the scooter hit the showrooms, the youth of India liked it, and within a quick timeframe; the scooter crossed a sales figure of one lakh in the nation. However, in the eyes of the much larger audience, the Navi was nothing more than a toy. After two years, Honda discontinued the Navi in India.
Now, in 2021, the age-old Navi is trying to resurrect its fate in an all-new market; the U.S. market. For the unversed souls, the Navi is Honda’s first two-wheeler that is developed and manufactured from the top to the bottom in India. The scooter is manufactured in the company’s Tapukara plant in the Indian state of Rajasthan and exported to several overseas markets.
It is surprising to note that the 2021 Navi has undergone no changes mechanically because the scooter continues to draw power from the Honda Activa’s 109cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. The unit is tuned to generate a peak power of 7.8hp at 7,000rpm and a maximum torque of 8.94hp at 5,500rpm mated to a CVT box. The 109cc engine of the Navi offers a mileage of somewhere between 40-48 kilometres per litre, depending on the style of riding.
Not only the mechanical aspect, but the Navi looks exactly the same as the BSIV iteration sold in India. In short, the 2021 Navi for the United States of America comes with no facial changes, no different vinyl and colour tones. Although, there are two minor changes- new indicators and new digital instrument cluster with miles per hour marking instead of the kilometres per hour marking.
In the hardware segment, the Navi continues to ride on 12 and 10-inch wheels with drum brakes on both ends (CBS optional). The suspension duties of the scooter are handled by a 26.8mm telescopic fork at the front, whereas the rear features a single shock unit with travel of 2.76 inches of travel. Not to mention, it is equipped with a 3.4-litre of fuel tank and has a weight of 107 kilograms only.
Last but not least, in the U.S. market, the scooter is priced at $1,807 (Rs 1.34 lakh- three times more than the Indian market).
