MANILA -- Ten years since it was introduced to the Philippines, the Yamaha Mio remains one of the most popular scooters in the country.

It has launched a series that spawned the automatic transmission or “AT” craze in the country, which, in turn, established Yamaha’s dominance in this segment.

So what is the secret behind the Mio series’ enduring appeal? To find out, we tested one of the Mio’s latest incarnates: The Yamaha Mio Soul i.

The new Yamaha Mio Soul i is one of the three variants recently introduced by Yamaha.

The other variants are the Mio i 125 and the Mio 125 MXi, which are both step ups from the 115-cc versions. Among the three, the Mio Soul i 125 has the more dominating presence, thanks to its bigger size and edgy styling.

The new Mio Soul i 125 comes with a 14-liter underseat compartment that can fit either a jet-type helmet or a small bag so you won’t have to carry your cargo while riding. Its instrument cluster looks futuristic and comes with an “eco indicator” that blinks whenever the scooter reaches the optimum speed where fuel efficiency is achieved.

The scooter is also equipped with a parking brake lock which is useful when parking at an incline. For added security, Yamaha provided the Mio Soul i 125 with a magnetic keyhole shutter that can be operated with the push of a button.

The Mio Soul i 125 comes with a LED headlight that is so bright it almost beams ahead like an HID headlight.

The scooter is powered by a 125-cc, forced air cooled, SOHC, 2-valve engine that comes with the Yamaha Blue Core technology that produces more power with less fuel.

It runs smooth and fast with the twist-and-go AT convenience that every Mio rider has become accustomed to. Since it’s the bulkiest among the three Mio variants, it runs with added stability.

It is best suited for city riding although the wider seat also provides comfort during long, out of town rides.

The Mio Soul i 125, which is priced at P79,999, comes in three color variations: Matte Black, Dark Grayish Purple Metallic and Bluish White Cocktail.