Hero MotoCorp's recently unveiled smart bike, the Splendor iSmart, boasts stop-&-start i3S technology that promises to cut costs for the owner by preventing wastage of fuel by shutting down the engine when idling.

The stop-&-start i3S technology is the most notable feature in the new Splendor bike. It prevents wastage of fuel by shutting down the engine during short halts at places such as a traffic signal. The engine re-starts when the clutch is pressed.

Given the high number of traffic signals at which travelers have to halt daily, the new technology is expected to improve mileage and efficiency. Hero MotoCorp said the technology was one of a kind, and it would get a patent right for the same.

Anil Dua, senior vice president for marketing & sales at Hero MotoCorp, said, "We have applied for a patent for this technology which may be later extended to several other models. We have been receiving encouraging customer queries on launch schedules of the various models."

Mr. Dua added that the new stop-&-start technology would also be used in other bikes of the company.

Priced at Rs. 47,250 (Ex-showroom Delhi), the Splendor iSmart is powered by 100cc air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke engine that delivers power of up to 7.8PS at 7,500rpm with a peak torque of 8.04 Nm at 4,500rpm.

The company is also preparing to roll out newer versions of its four other bikes, viz. Pleasure, ZMR, Xtreme and Karizma, later this month.