Hero XPulse 450 and EICMA 2026 highlights at a glance

For 25 years, Hero MotoCorp has seen itself at the top of the global motorcycle and scooter market. At EICMA 2026 in Milan, the manufacturer is marking this anniversary by significantly broadening its line-up. Development comes from its R&D centres in India and Germany, and the range spans combustion bikes, electric everyday vehicles and rideable future studies. Of particular interest to us: the new XPulse 450 and the European launch of the electric brand VIDA.

Hero is positioning the XPulse 450 as its new adventure flagship for India and international markets. According to the manufacturer, the bike was developed from the ground up and is also the most powerful model in its own portfolio. Direct feedback from the Hero MotoSports Team Rally fed into its development. The liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve engine displaces 421 cc, produces 34.3 kW at 9,100 rpm, which equates to around 46.6 PS, and delivers 38 Nm at 7,500 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox and an assist and slipper clutch. So the 450 in the name doesn't reflect the exact displacement.

On the chassis side, Hero quotes a fully adjustable setup for road and off-road. Up front is a 43 mm KYB cartridge USD fork with 225 mm of travel. Compression and rebound can each be adjusted across 22 clicks. The features also include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, whose integration Hero describes as a first in this class. Within the family, it sits alongside the XPulse 200, XPulse 210 Dakar Edition and XPulse 210 MX.

According to Hero, the X350T was developed primarily for the Indian market, tailored to local road conditions and the expectations of Indian riders. The little Harley combines the flat-track-inspired styling familiar from the X440T with a new air- and oil-cooled 350 cc engine. Chequered graphics pick up the theme visually. The tech package includes an electronically controlled throttle body, riding modes, switchable ABS and traction control. A USD fork and a trellis frame form the basis of the chassis.

Hero puts the emphasis on torque, comfort and agility in town as well as stability on country roads and at higher speeds. These are the manufacturer's development goals. The press release lists BS6 OBD2P2 as the emissions standard. Within the model range, Hero also cites the X440T and the single-cylinder X440S.

Alongside the two new combustion models, the Hero Scrambler Concept and the Hero Classic Concept are on the stand. The studies are meant to show where the more premium motorcycle line-up could be heading. By its own account, Hero combines experience from the Dakar world with contemporary design for urban use. The Classic theme focuses on Indian artistic tradition, craftsmanship and classic shapes. Both bikes are explicitly presented as concepts.

With VIDA, Hero is kicking off its European operations, including the first customer deliveries. The manufacturer explicitly positions the VX2 electric scooter as an everyday vehicle for European cities, with practical commuting and home charging as its focus. According to the manufacturer, it reaches 90 km/h and achieves a WMTC range of 140 kilometres in Eco mode. The two removable batteries are IP67-rated and can be taken home for charging. Especially for those without a power socket at their parking spot, this concept is a key part of its everyday appeal.

Test rides and sales of the VX2 are scheduled to start from December 2026 in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia. The European launch is supported by strategic partner Elektrorider.

Kids grow, bikes usually don't. That's why VIDA gives the DIRT.E K3 a platform that is tool-adjustable in three stages. Small, Medium and Large are designed to adapt the electric off-road bike to the young rider. An optional suspension kit is available for the largest configuration. The concept was developed by the Hero Tech Centre Germany and the international development teams. It picked up awards with the Red Dot 2025 and at CES 2026.

On top of that comes the 6Days Limited Edition with 100 individually numbered units. Its design in Portuguese colours commemorates the 100th running of the 6Days. VIDA positions the DIRT.E K3 as an entry point for young off-road riders and as part of its European offering for families. It is set to be available at dealers in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia. Direct sales with home delivery additionally cover Italy, Spain, Germany and France, making ten European countries in total.

VIDA is also showing further ideas above its youth range. The UBX, presented as a prototype, is a neo-naked for the city. Project VXZ, on the other hand, is an electric motorcycle concept being developed together with US manufacturer Zero Motorcycles. For adult off-road riders, VIDA presents the DIRT.E MX7 as a performance-oriented electric off-roader. The three vehicles expand the line-up with different use cases.

At the same time, VIDA is coming on board as title sponsor of the TUfast Moto Electric Team at the Technical University of Munich. The team develops electric racing technology for the MotoStudent International Competition. Hero thus links the work of student engineers with the practical realisation of electric racing bikes.

With Novus Labs, Hero is also setting up a chairman-led development initiative for future mobility. It is intended to explore previously unmet needs, trial solutions and build working prototypes. Mature results can then be passed on to Hero MotoCorp, VIDA or new companies. The NEX series was already shown at EICMA 2025 as the Novus Series and received the Red Dot Design Concept Award 2026. Now the NEX 1 and NEX 2 are on display as functional prototypes. Novus Labs also invites external developers, institutions and technology partners to collaborate.

The NEX 1 is a compact, portable electric vehicle for short connecting journeys. It unfolds from a carry-along object into a rideable vehicle and returns revised compared to last year's concept. Hero quotes a top speed of 15 km/h and a range of 20 kilometres. The three-wheeled NEX 2 is entering the next phase of development. Here the targets are more than 150 kilometres of WMTC range, over 100 km/h and generous storage space. The concept aims for more safety and stability combined with two-wheeler-like agility.

A dedicated technology area covers four fields of development. On the user interface side, the focus is on AI-assisted interfaces, such as facial recognition for keyless starting and a voice assistant in a 7-inch TFT with Android Auto. On the electric side, the Energy Dock is designed to turn the vehicle battery into a versatile power source. VIDA is also showing a wireless charging solution for the VX2 platform.

In terms of powertrains, Hero is researching both combustion and electric systems. The focus is on multi-fuel capability, intelligent control systems and advanced thermal management. In the safety area, the topics are radar- and sensor-based rider assistance, AI-assisted monitoring and adaptive lighting. VIDA's Smart Helmet is designed to enable chin strap detection via on-vehicle AI without requiring a cloud connection. The exhibition area thus outlines the group's long-term research direction.

Behind the line-up is a group headquartered in New Delhi which, by its own account, is present in 54 countries and counts more than 130 million customers. Hero operates eight production facilities, six in India and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh. Research and development is based at the Centre for Innovation and Technology in India and at the Tech Centre Germany. In addition to its partnerships with Harley-Davidson and Zero Motorcycles, Hero holds strategic stakes in the electric vehicle manufacturers Ather Energy and Euler Motors. Combustion bikes, electric two-wheelers and new mobility concepts thus come together under one roof.

How much power does the Hero XPulse 450 have?

Hero quotes 34.3 kW at 9,100 rpm, which equates to around 46.6 PS. The 421 cc engine delivers 38 Nm at 7,500 rpm and is paired with a six-speed gearbox.

What range does the VIDA VX2 offer?

The manufacturer's figure is 140 kilometres according to WMTC in Eco mode. Top speed is 90 km/h, and both batteries are removable.

Where is the VIDA VX2 launching in Europe?

According to the announcement, test rides and sales begin in December 2026 in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia.

How does the VIDA DIRT.E K3 grow with the rider?

Its platform can be set to Small, Medium or Large using tools. For the largest setting, VIDA offers an optional suspension kit.

Are the Hero Scrambler and Classic production models?

Hero is presenting both at EICMA 2026 as concepts for the further development of its motorcycle line-up.