Honda Activa 7G: The Honda Activa is nothing short of a phenomenon in India’s two-wheeler market, one that has not just revolutionised urban mobility but also turned out to be the highest selling two-wheeler in the country for many straight years.
Unveiling the 7th generation Activa (popularly coined as ‘Activa 7G’), Honda will not only elevate the automatic scooter market but strengthen its position as India’s most trusted automobile brand; offering customers an amazing experience of riding on Indian roads.
Honda Activa 7G: The Activa Legacy
And all started in 2001, since when the Honda Activa has been epitome of personal mobility in the country.
What started out as Honda’s attempt to recapture its racing glory days became so much more than just a quirky scooter that was popular in its time.
The Activa has been so successful precisely because it met one of Indian consumers’ most basic requirements: unmatched reliability, super fuel efficiency, and a troublefree ownership experience.
Across generations, Honda has been developing the Activa very gently, subtley, but keeping its soul intact.
The shift from metal bodywork to fiberglass, the new telescopic suspension design, the decade-in-advance use of programmed fuel injection and continued design refinement has kept the product up-to-date without losing its core customer base.
Design Evolution
It’s the biggest design change in recent generations, and the 7G is also the most sophisticated Activa yet. Even with a silhouette that is discreetly identifiable as Activa, it adds sharper lines and design cues giving it a fresh, contemporary look that reflects modern aspirations with elements of dynamism.
Up front, the apron looks more angular than before, accentuated by new LED position lamps, and the door’s character lines are stronger to add a feeling of moving forward while standing still.
The lighting kit has seen a full upgrade, to the all new LED technology for head light, tail light and indicators too.
This adds more visibility and safety features to your scooter but also gives the scooter a more upscale look – especially at night when you see the distinct signature lights.
Performance and Efficiency Enhancements
Beneath the skin Existing underneath the skin, Activa 7G has received some major mechanical updates. The souped-up 110cc engine is still more about serenity and dependability than outright thrills, but it gets Honda’s new eSP (enhanced Smart Power) tech that promises improved combustion.
This fine-tuning not only results in slightly more power and better??? though still not great??? fuel economy, the latter being especially pertinent with fuel costs what they are.
A digital instrument cluster is a big value addition and should provide practical real-time fuel efficiency data, service reminders and possibly smartphone connectivity through Honda’s RoadSync technology.
This digital convergence recognizes today’s consumers’ more connected lifestyles and adds convenience in terms of the ownership and operation of a vehicle.
Comfort and Convenience Upgrades
Functionality has always been the key to the Activa’s success and the 7G continues this theme with some nice changes.
Fuel underseat storage capacity has also been slightly increased for easier stowing of full-face helmets in response to a growing trend, with an optional USB charging port recognising the always-on requirements of devices even when on the move on a daily ride.
Ride quality, a strong suit of the Activa series, gets another level of polish with revised suspension settings and an updated seat cushion.
The telescopic front forks and rear hydraulic dampers continue to keep up the Activa lineage’s peace of mind stability while doing a better job of absorbing the uneven cracks and bumps on your daily riding surfaces in India.
Safety and Tech Features
Safety of course gets a massive upgrade in the Activa 7G, with Honda’s Combi-brake system (Equalizer) which is a standard feature on all variants.
By effectively metering braking force to the front and rear wheels when only the rear brake is used, the balance and deceleration of the new rider were further improved, making it easier to brake and more stable in a wider range of operating conditions.
A side-stand engine cut-off also stops the engine running should the side stand be put down in gear, while a new-generation, IMU-driven, impact-sensitive emergency brake light system is present, too; the engine also cuts out in the event of a tip over, further showcasing Honda=s commitment to rider safety.
The market positioning and the variants
The Activa 7G range continues Honda’s tradition of keeping different variants for different price brackets and feature requirements.
The base model offers essential functionality with a modest budget; DLX is designed to deliver premium style and great function at a great value, and Special Edition adds lots of nice features, new color choices and sexy styling.
This layered approach also serves well to protect Honda’s near-monopoly market share from progressively better competition, from both legacy players such as TVS and new players in the electric scooter industry.
Honda Activa 7G:
Having said that, the Honda Activa 7G is a conscientiously engineered evolution of India’s most successful scooter platform.
We made it even better in terms of technology, comfort and design while preserving and enhancing all those features which people love about it,” said Y S Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India.
In a crowded category now threatened by electric options, the Activa 7G’s combination of tried and tested engineering, sensible upgrades and unparalleled service reach helps keep its relevance strong in a radically changing Indian market.
But only time will tell the real success of the model, that will lie in Honda managing to find the sweet spot between genuine innovation and that trademark feeling of comfort and safety that millions of Indian families have learned to trust.
