Meet Yamaha’s first hybrid scooter - the Grand Filano Hybrid

KUALA LUMPUR: Yamaha has launched its very first hybrid scooter called the Grand Filano Hybrid in Thailand. This news comes a few days after Honda launched its first mass-produced hybrid scooter, the PCX Hybrid. Malaysia, however, recently got the all-new Honda PCX and we are eager to welcome its hybrid sibling. 

Yamaha has perfectly timed the launch of its new hybrid scooter. Perhaps, this was a planned move. Yamaha didn’t want Honda to enjoy the title ‘World’s Only Hybrid Scooter Manufacturer’ for long. Anyway, the new 2018 Grand Filano Hybrid comes with a conventional 125cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, petrol engine with EFI. The catch here is that this engine has an electric partner which Yamaha likes to call as the Smart Motor Generator.

The Smart Motor Generator works along with the petrol engine and under certain conditions helps to save fuel. Yamaha has also implemented its Blue Core Efficiency technology in the Grand Filano Hybrid which promises high performance and better fuel efficiency. There’s also the engine start-stop function that can be turned on or off by the user. This function automatically shuts down the engine. It comes in handy in traffic jams. It helps reduce fuel consumption and air pollution.

As a modern scooter, the Filano Hybrid comes with various exciting features like keyless ignition, full LED lighting both at the front and rear, a color TFT-LCD instrument cluster, and a USB socket for charging your smartphone on the go. The 27-litre under seat storage space is more than sufficient. And the 4.4-litre fuel tank, too, should suffice considering the fact that it is a hybrid scooter.

Yamaha has launched the Grand Filano Hybrid in two variants - ABS and non-ABS - at a price of 62,000 Thai baht (approx RM 7,500) and 55,500 Thai baht (approx RM 6,700) respectively. The non-ABS version comes in five color options, whereas the ABS model gets only two. It is quite likely that Yamaha would launch its new hybrid scooter in other neighbouring countries very soon.