Honda’s position as sole hybrid scooter maker in the
world did not last long, with Yamaha introducing the 2018 Yamaha Grand Filano
in Thailand at a price of 62,000 Thai baht. The Grand Filano is
designed for urban use and comes in two variants – with and without ABS.
The Grand Filano Hybrid is powered by a
single-cylinder 125 cc Yamaha Blue Core engine fuelled by EFI, coupled with a
Smart Motor Generator. This gives the Grand Filano extra electrical power and save
fuel under certain conditions.
Transmission is CVT, as is the norm with scooters,
and this is complemented by engine start-stop with Yamaha’s Blue Core
Efficiency engine design philosophy. For the Grand Filano, users have the
option of leaving engine start-stop on or off, as desired.
As benefits a modern urban scooter, the Grand Filano
comes equipped with all modern conveniences, including keyless start, full LED
lighting front and rear and USB charging socket. A 27-litre storage compartment
is found under the lift-up seat, along with easily stowable passenger footpegs
and a colour TFT-LCD instrument panel in the cockpit.
Rolling on 12-inch wheels, stopping is done with a
hydraulic disc in front and drum brake at the back. Suspension is with
conventional telescopic forks and swingarm mounted shock absorber. Seat height on the Grand Filano
Hybrid is 790 mm and fuel is carried in a 4.4-litre tank, with weight being 102
kg for the ABS equipped version. The 2018 Yamaha Grand Filano Hybrid comes in
several colour options, the non ABS model having five while the ABS model gets
two.
