The bike has slender minimalist sporty body. Aluminum chasis in ather keeps the weight low, battery is installed in water tight aluminum box under foot rest, this keeps centre of gravity low and increases vehicle stability on road. How ever non detachable battery has several disadvantages.
Sit behind the bar and you'll notice a brand-new touchscreen instrument panel that packs in more features. The Android-based system (plain Linux in the 450) includes Bluetooth/ Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to pair their phone to get incoming call alerts or listen to music on the go via the Ather app. One can simply tap the screen to change music tracks or answer calls. If you dislike the idea of taking your hands off the bars, the toggle switch can be used to carry out the same function.
The touch responsiveness has also improved considerably, making it easier to operate, even with a gloved hand. The second new feature is a 'Dark Mode' option (quite like Instagram, these days). But all of these improvements wouldn't make sense if not for faster internet connectivity. This was achieved by installing a new 4G eSIM (Jio) which makes loading navigation maps and installing Over The Air (OTA) updates a lot quicker. But as similar as the 450 and 450X may be when it comes to design, it's a whole different story underneath the bodywork.
What else is new?
There's no denying that weight is the most crucial factor to determine performance and efficiency, even in the case of the an e-scooter; and Ather seems to have kept this in mind while developing the 450X. Most of the weight-savings are at the front end, achieved by installing a lighter instrument cluster, removing the on-board charger and installing a conventional tubular handlebar. The result is about a 4kg drop in weight over the 2019 Ather 450 and a whopping 11kg over the 2018 version, which is quite significant. But the other effect of this weight loss is a shift in weight distribution ratio from 49:51 to 47:53. This has made the front end decidedly lighter, which has had an effect on the way it handles. More on that later, because we can’t go any further without mentioning the 450X’s brilliant performance
In order to improve performance and efficiency Ather developed a new Lithium-ion battery, an efficient battery management system and re-tuned the motor to develop higher peak power. The new battery is bigger, with each cell measuring 21mm by 70mm and much more power dense than ever. The installed battery capacity is 2.9kWh (up from 2.71kWh in the 450) and that translates to an improved battery range, from 75km to 85km in Eco mode. It takes about 5hr 45min to charge the battery to 100 percent, using a standard home-charging point.
The motor, on the other hand, develops a peak output of 6kW(up from 5.4kW). More importantly, the peak torque has gone up from 20.5Nm to 26Nm!
Just as is the case with the the 450, there are three riding modes on offer: X-Eco, Ride and Sport, each liberates more performance and, consequently, quicker acceleration. But the icing on this performance cake is the new 'Warp' mode that turns everything up to 11.
I've never felt an electric scooter surge ahead with such alacrity – and that's saying something. Whack the throttle open and you actually get thrown back as the scooter gathers pace rapidly, the numbers on the digital dash struggling to keep up. 0-40kmph comes up in 3.3s while the sprint from standstill to 60kmph is dispatched in 6.5sec. That's almost a 1sec quicker than the fastest petrol-powered 125cc scooters; however, top speed remains capped at 80kmph. But that's only one side of the story. It's the roll-on acceleration, especially between 20-50kmph that makes this e-scooter super responsive and I think that should make it easy to keep up or even zip past big city traffic. I've never enjoyed riding an electric scooter before I got on the 450X, but for the first time not once did I miss a conventional scooter.
But as entertaining as it may be, here's the caveat. All of this brisk performance comes at the cost of a subscription plan that will set you back by Rs 1,999 – every month. Dubbed the 'Pro' package, it gets you the best possible acceleration and range (85km) along with access to fast charging at 1.5km/min. Customers can also choose the Plus plan, at Rs 1699, that drops the motor's peak output to 5.4kW and torque to 22Nm.
The 450X can also be purchased without the subscription plan for Rs 1.49 lakh (for the Plus) and Rs 1.59 lakh for the Pro. This doesn't include the cost of the Ather connect pack, that's needed for OTA updates. Buying upfront doesn't give you access to the free fast-charging Ather Grid network either. Subscription guarantees OTA updates, the fast-charging network and an unlimited battery warranty (3 years without subscription.
The stylish Scooty gives a feel of luxury, comfort and speed. The high torque motor delivers instant pickup. The only disadvantage is you cannot swap the battery.
The battery of the Ather 450X takes 3.5 hours for a 0-80 per cent charge and close to 5 hours 30 minutes for a full charge. The scooter can be charged overnight and used for the next day's commute. This could be done either by using a portable charger that can be carried inside the boot space of the scooter or a dot charger that can be fixed in apartment complexes. The vehicle is supposed to consume three units of electricity each time it is fully charged. This costs between Rs 20 and Rs 30 depending on the city's electricity norms.
Range anxiety
Range anxiety concerns many. Luckily, this scooter is good for those looking to clock an average distance of 5-60 kilometers per day. The 450 X is said to be able to run for 85 kilometres each time it is fully charged. Each performance mode assures the rider of decent mileage
Eco-mode: Around 80KM per full-charge
Ride: 70 KM per full-charge
Sports mode: 60 KM per full-charge
Warp mode: 48-50 KM per full charge.
The verdict
The stylish Scooty gives a feel of luxury, comfort and speed. The high torque motor delivers instant pickup. The only disadvantage is you cannot swap the battery.
Pros: Good ride quality, good build, handles well as a performance scooter
Cons: Overaggressive braking, 'buggy OTA updates, expensive for a first scooter, subscription model for service, and connected features
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