Remember the Kinetic DX? It is coming back this month

India Today

a day ago

Back in the late 1980s, scooters ruled Indian roads, and the Bajaj Chetak was among the most sought-after models, alongside the popular LML range. But it was the Kinetic Honda DX that truly shook up the market. This scooter was revolutionary for its time: it featured an electric start, an automatic transmission, and a comprehensive analogue instrument cluster that included a speedometer, odometer, telltale lights, and even a fuel gauge.advertisementAdding to its convenience was an optional side stand, which made hopping on and off effortless, ideal for the fast-paced lives of urban riders. The Kinetic Honda DX marked a turning point in India's scooter story.Following the split between Kinetic and Honda, the scooter continued to be sold under the name Kinetic DX. Before being discontinued, it even saw an upgrade to a 4-stroke engine variant called the Kinetic 4S.
Now, in a bid to revive nostalgia, Kinetic is all set to bring the iconic scooter back on 28th July 2025. And word is, it will retain its original name, the Kinetic DX.Kinetic DX: The design makes all the differenceThe Kinetic DX had a distinctive design for its time, featuring a sleek front mudguard and a trailing link suspension setup. Its front apron carried minimal decals, maintaining a clean look thanks to the headlamp and indicators being integrated into the handlebar housing.The new-generation Kinetic DX stays true to this original aesthetic, albeit in a sleeker, more aerodynamic form. From the side, the silhouette remains nearly identical to the original, preserving its retro charm. However, the rear has seen a modern update, now sporting a sleeker, all-LED tail lamp.The DX gets a modern touch with a contemporary LCD instrument display. The switchgear retains a nostalgic connection to the original, with the 'Start' button proudly finished in red, just like before.As expected, the new Kinetic DX is all-electric, powered by a hub-mounted motor, marking a seamless blend of heritage and modernity. The Kinetic DX is expected to have a range of 100km on a single charge. It will also offer telescopic front suspension along with a disc brake that should come with the higher variants. Alloy wheels too are on the cards, along with tubeless tyres.The Kinetic DX will rival the Ather Rizta, TVS iQube, Hero Vida VX2, Bajaj Chetak and the Ola S1 Pro.Whose Kinetic is it anyway?Kinetic has given India two truly iconic products in the past, the Kinetic Luna and the Kinetic DX. While the Luna recently made a comeback in an electric avatar, it was launched under Kinetic Green, a brand that now boasts a fairly strong dealership network across the country.advertisementBut here's where things get interesting: the Kinetic DX revival appears to be happening under a different banner: Watts and Volts!So, does this mean there's a potential collaboration with Kinetic Green for sales and service support? That remains uncertain. From what we know so far, Watts and Volts is working on building its own independent network.Amidst all this, what we truly hope for is the successful return of the legendary Kinetic DX. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine- EndsTrending Reel