HOT PICS: Top 10 sexiest new scooters of 2012!

There was a time when the Hamara Bajaj's Chetak was far more popular than the Yamaha RX100. Since then much water has flown under the bridge. The golden era of scooters faded away as bikes became the more preferred mode of transport.

It seems though that the industry has come a full circle. The success of Honda Activa has prompted many other players to launch their scooters in the Indian market.

Piaggio Vespa has been launched recently and Yamaha is all set to unleash its Ray on the Indian roads.

Here are some beauties that will be seen on Indian roads this year and a few old ones that went under the knife, so to say...

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Honda Dio

Year of launch: 2002

Facelift: Feb 2012

Price: Rs 42,362 (ex-showroom New Delhi)

After 8 long years, the stylish Honda Dio finally went in for a facelift and at the Auto Expo 2012 the Indian markets saw a more glamorous and inspiring Honda Dio that is all set to let the automatic scooter lovers, 'Live free'

The 102cc engine got an upgrade to 109cc and as a result of which, the scooter is now capable of delivering 8bhp at 7500rpm and a torque of 8.66Nm at 5500rpm and along with this, a mileage of 66.7kmpl as per the ARAI certifications and a claimed mileage of close to 55kmpl.

This mileage is far better than what the previous model delivered. The sleek and good looks, refreshed body, the combi-brake system that is used in India's favorite Honda Activa, maintenance free battery, spacious under-seat luggage box, wider seat; all come at a price tag of approximately Rs 42,362 (ex-showroom New Delhi).

In terms of performance Honda Dio has always proved its mettle but somewhere because of the superior performance of Honda Activa, the expectations set from Dio are a little too high, as a result of which it falls short.

However, it won't be inappropriate to expect that this upgrade would definitely help the two-wheeler reach to another level of success. Honda Dio is now all set to recreate the Honda magic and do just what the Honda Activa does for the company.

Hero Maestro

Year of launch: March 2012

Price: Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

It is often said, whatever happens, happens for good... once again the idiom has been proved true when Hero and Honda split.

Since the break up, the two involved parties are bringing in the best of technologies and products which is really benefitting the Indian markets and consumers.

Both these companies are setting their own mark in the market individually, proving that neither is less than the other.

Hero launched its first automatic scooter, Hero Maestro which has looks that appeal not just to her but attract him as well.

The scooter is decent looking and sports subtle lines and creases. One of the best features of the scooter are the vast legroom along with vast side panels, a very impressive gripping of the handlebars, a wide flat floorboard, dual link shock absorbers in front and rear which has a single shock absorber.

With its 109cc engine, maintenance free battery, comfortable wide seat, combined braking system and a mileage of approximately 45-50kmpl, the scooter is a complete package at a price of Rs 44,000 (Ex-Showroom Delhi).

Piaggio Vespa LX125

Launch: April 2012

Price: Rs 66,661 (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi)

Piaggio is no spring chicken when it comes to introducing classy Italian scooters in the Indian automotive industry.

Many years ago, they played a big hand in the Indian market with LML, and now they've shown they still have their original Italian magic with this new beauty in the form of the Vespa LX125.

The Vespa is a marriage of compromise between the classic age and newer technology. However this compromise has not resulted in some rough shod two-wheeler.

The LX125 makes a name for itself by retaining its classic looks while maintaining its pace with today's fast-track technology.

It comes with a 125cc, 4 stroke, triple-valve single cylinder air-cooled engine that powers through the Indian roads with 10.06PS at 7500rpm and 10.6Nm of torque at 6000rpm.

The engine is mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) that helps in maintaining better fuel efficiency while providing good performance values and angular velocities.

The Vespa LX125 however is priced at an inhibitive Rs 66,661, which considering India's teeming two-wheeler market may not be a competitive enough price for this machine.

Mahindra Rodeo RZ

Launch: 2009

Facelift launch in South India: June 2012

Price: Approximately Rs. 49575 (Ex-showroom, AP)

Recently the South Indian bike market saw the launch of the much awaited Mahindra Rodeo RZ.

The new RZ carries the same 125cc Z-series engine and is capable of delivering a power of 8Ps and a torque of 9Nm.

Its claimed fuel efficiency is somewhere close to 59.38 kmpl. The RZ is more or less the same as the previous Rodeo in terms of features like acceleration timer, trip-meter, speedometer, fuel gauge, speeding alarm, front fuel filler cap, 4 in 1 anti theft key etc.

The scooter looks trendy with the new graphics and the striking new colors add to its youthfulness furthermore.

Bajaj Blade

Expected launch date: August 2012

Estimated price: Rs 45,000

Bajaj Blade is quite possibly Bajaj's attempt at recapturing the sway it held over the Indian scooter consumers back in the day.

This scooter is expected to encapsulate a 125cc 4 stroke quad valve DTSi engine capable of producing up to 11.5bhp and mated to a 4-speed transmission.

The Bajaj blade mileage will possibly be in the vicinity of 45kmpl within city limits. Considering that automatic scooters are still considered feminine in India, the Bajaj Blade contrary to its masculine name is expected to be aimed more towards female riders.

Yamaha Neo

Expected launch date: October 2012

Estimated price: Rs 30,000

Yamaha usually brings to mind sports bikes. However the top bike manufacturer refuses to be limited to the production of great sports bikes and guitars.

Yep, they've got a hand in the automatic scooter market as well.

Their latest offering in this category will be the Yamaha Neo. And no, it's not named after the famous RnB singer.

The Yamaha Neo scooter will house a relatively meek 50cc 2 stroke engine which will produce about 2.6hp; it doesn't seem like much but once you take into account that it is expected to be priced at an equally meek Rs 30,000, it doesn't seem like such a bad deal.

Added to this, is the fairly decent mileage of 45kmpl and a fuel tank capacity of 6.1-litres and you have a fine scooter that we are looking forward to.

Yamaha Spark

Expected launched date: October 2012

Estimated price: Rs 50,000

If the Yamaha Neo price attracts you, but you just need something with a little more clout, Yamaha will shortly be presenting you with the slightly more masculine Yamaha Spark.

The Yamaha Spark comes with a 134.4cc SOHC 4 valve liquid cooled engine which will deliver approximately 11 horses and about 11.6Nm of torque.

Spark's engine will be mated to a 4-speed transmission and will give you a mileage roughly in the area of 30-40kmpl. The fuel tank capacity on the Spark is 4.0-litres.

Honda Vision

Expected launched date: Dec-2012

Estimated price: Rs 50,000

Honda Vision is the latest scooter from Honda. With a 4-stroke engine of 108cc, the scooter churns out 8.3bhp at 8000rpm and 8.7Nm torque at 6500rpm. The engine is mated to an automatic gearbox.

The Honda Vision mileage in the city is estimated at 40kmpl and 50kmpl on the highway. Honda so far has kept quiet about the specifications and details regarding this scooter but looking at the other offerings from Honda we can safely say that Honda Vision would be a performer.

Suzuki Skydrive

Expected launch date: December 2012

Estimated price: Rs 45,000

There isn't much that has been disclosed about the Suzuki Skydrive except that it is expected to come in somewhere close to end of this year.

Rumour has it, the scooter will be powered by 125cc 4-stroke 1cylinder engine and would have hydraulic disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear, a 4-litre fuel capacity and alloy wheels.

Whatever limited pictures that are available show a stylish, comfortable and a well made scooter. It is expected that this would be capable of delivering 45-50kmpl mileage.

Yamaha Ray

Expected launch date: November 2012

Estimated price: Rs 50,000

Shocking pink and black body colour, super stylish sharp curves and Yamaha's technology: that's what powers Yamaha's latest automatic scooter 'Ray'.

John Abraham, the brand ambassador unveiled it at the Auto Expo 2012 and looking at him on the scooter; one thing is for sure that Ray is definitely made keeping women in mind.

The two-wheeler would be the first of its kind from the stables of Yamaha. Though there is no confirmed news yet, rumours say that the scooter would be powered by a 125cc engine which should be capable of producing a power of 10bhp.

We still don't know much about the scooter but from the looks of it, one thing we can with certainty... if good looks could kill, Yamaha Ray could well be convicted for murders!