BA Exclusive: Mahindra’s New 110cc Bike Caught All Covered; Is it Pantero in New Clothing?

This definitely comes as a surprise for all of us. BikeAdvice reported the first ever spyshots of refreshed Mahindra’s Stallio back in August this year. We had to remove the pics for certain reasons. However, we continued spotting the Stallio (which will now be called as Pantero) in and around the outskirts of Pune.
Now, these spy pics come as a revelation of sorts. We spotted this test mule around Dehu Road in Pune and was all covered without revealing anything. There was not even a single trace what this could be. However, the horizontally mounted engine was a give away for us obviously along with other finer bits.

What appears different?

• The side blinkers are fatter
• The rear suspension spring is traditional black from the red of earlier variant/our earlier spyshot
• From the not so clear frontal pic, the front headlamp appears different which is definitely a welcome change
• The bike carried different console which looked like non-digital. The earlier Stallio had an all digital console reminiscent to Rodeo.
• Tank also appeared to be slightly more muscular.
• Covered rear panels also appear to be different and more protruding

What Appears Similar?

• The silencer and heat shield
• Rear Tyre also appears to be similarly specced 3.0” x 18”
• Grab Rail
• Tail Lamp

The major changes would be done with the engine and the mechanicals. The displacement is not expected to get changed but flaws related to the power delivery and gearbox would have been heavily worked upon by Mahindra. They have been extensively testing the Stallio (now Pantero) for the past many months now.

The BIG Question?
What was Mahindra testing for the last few months in the mules which adorned exactly similar clothes as earlier Stallio? There are the following two possibilities:

1. There are two 110cc machines Mahindra is preparing. One with the older Stallio’s looks and the other a more contemporary different looks. 
2. Mahindra was just testing the revised and retuned engine, mechanicals and gearbox on the older Stallio’s clothes and now since the major issues have been taken care of, the end testing in the product’s final looks!

We strongly feel its the second one which is going to be true. It makes immense sense for Mahindra to redesign and launch the bike with no trail of connection with the discontinued Stallio. Launching the Pantero as an all together a new bike with new design, name and obviously removal of flaws would be the best bet for the new entrant in the motorcycle space.