Popular two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp's latest claims of its Splendor iSmart's fuel efficiency has come under attack from its former partner Honda, which has raised serious questions over the bike's ability to give a return of 102.5 kmpl.

Splendor iSmart
Hero Motocorp’s Splendor iSmart Launched in IndiaReuters
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The latest figures of fuel efficiency (FE) values, certified by the central government's International Centre for Automotive Technology (iCAT), had revealed that Hero's Splendor iSmart delivers a mileage of 102.5 kmpl, which makes it the world's most fuel efficient bike.

However, Japanese auto maker Honda has questioned this stating that "such claims are misleading and are far from reality".

Speaking to ET Auto, Honda R&D Center India (HRID) President & CEO Keiji Kasa said: "We only want to say one thing; such claims are misleading and are far from reality. Since the base engine in question has been developed by Honda, we do understand its realistic assessment on performance and capabilities."

While Honda agrees that the Idle Start Stop System in the Hero Splendor iSmart model helps to improve the mileage of the model to some extent, the company states that the claims of 102.5 kmpl looks quite impossible.

However, rebuking Honda Hero said that the various technologies coupled with the stop-and-start i3S technology have helped the model deliver improved mileage.

"While the mileage obtained by actual users may differ due to several variables such as driving habits, road and traffic conditions, fuel quality, maintenance practices and loading pattern etc, the customer would still benefit from much higher fuel efficiency as compared to other competing products."

The Splendor iSmart, which comes equipped with stop-and-start i3S technology, made its India debut last year. The i3S technology automatically shuts the engine when idling and turns it on when needed with just one click. The bike comes with 97.2cc cc air-cooled, 4-Stroke Single Cylinder OHC engine, which can churn out a power of 5.74 KW (7.8 Ps) at 7500 rpm and maximum torque of 0.82 Kg-m (8.04 N-M) @ 4500 rpm.