Tokyo, July 17, 1998 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the launch in Japan, on July 31, of a new Honda Julio series of fashion scooters. These vehicles, which are being targeted predominantly at young people, are capitalizing on the recent design craze that emphasizes classic fashions with slightly rounded, rectangular lines. This style - square forms with curves - is very popular among young people for making an individual fashion statement.
The prominent horizontal lines and plain surfaces of the Julio evoke an older, safer, more dependable age - while still looking highly individual. Both the seat and the floorboard are completely flat, giving the rider a lot more body position freedom. Also, by keeping the legs completely within the vehicle and not allowing the rider's body to jut out, the design enhances feelings of safety.

Like the Lead and Tact scooter series, the Julio series complies fully with the new exhaust emission and noise pollution regulations for scooters and mopeds due to come into force in Japan from October 1998. Kind on the environment, the well-priced Julio series will also be kind on your finances.

30,000 units

In common with the Lead and Tact scooter series, the Julio series features an air-cooled 2-stroke single-cylinder engine with carburetor modified to allow a lean air-fuel mixture, thereby increasing combustion efficiency and reducing the amount of pollutants generated during the combustion process. In addition, a new kind of oxidizing catalyst unit (or catalyzer) has been fitted inside the muffler. These modifications reduce the amount of pollutant gases in the exhaust by a substantial degree - reducing carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions by more than half. The Julio series complies fully with the Japanese exhaust emission regulations for new Class I motorcycles (50cc or less) due to come into effect from October 1998. Furthermore, after the engine has warmed up, the new modifications reduce emissions of white smoke, compared to present Honda models, by more than 90% (values are taken from Honda-conducted light permeation tests on Honda products).

The Julio accelerates smoothly away from a standstill without tearing up the road - conveying a feeling the scooter is more in harmony with nature. Also, the rubber engine mounts reduce vibration for a ride that feels that both smooth and fashionable.