Ather 450S

Detailed Review by Maxabout Team

Being a die-hard electric vehicle fan, I have been looking forward to the opportunity to evaluate the Ather 450S. This electric scooter has been gaining lots of attention in the Indian market, and it claims to change the way people commute in a city for the better with its powerful technology features and stylish design. On the first sight of the sleek machine, I was captivated with the advanced styling which hinted towards the transformation of self transportation.

Design and Aesthetics

When it comes to urban mobility, the Ather 450S is nothing short of a beauty. Its geometric sharp lines and out-stretched angular body work has a very sporty and modern appearance which has no comparison with the structure of the scooter. The headlight integrated in front apron and handlebars turn indicator presents the LED bright light which are not just for visibility purpose but also adds high tech appeal to the scooter.

This time I stood up and walked round the scooter to get some aspect of its design. Everything about the scooter looked perfect; there was no ugly wiring or tubes exposed thanks to the well branded use of the batteries around. However, the 7 inch color segmented LCD console being non touch screen although able to function in bright sunlight, is able to add some techno designs to it even though its not the most interesting feature of the console.

The inclusion of an underseat storage space, which is able to hold up to 22 liters, has not affected the sleek design of the scooter. Available in four colors – Space Grey, Still White, Salt Green and Cosmic Black – The 450S possesses colors that are suitable to different people.

As for me, the 450S, in my opinion, is optimally pleasing in both beauty and usability. It is beautiful but does not look gaudy, it is useful and yet does not forgo the design. The only slight complaint that I have is the switchgear quality, while very functional could use a more premium quality to the rest of the scooter.

Performance and Powertrain

An electric powertrain with a fifteen-inch range join supports the Ather 450 electric vehicle model through an electric drive motor of 5.4kW and a lithium ion battery of 2.9kWh. With this arrangement, the scooter can reach a maximum of a claimed speed of about 90kmph which is reasonable especially for city dwellers. In the test rides I did, I will say the acceleration stood out the most – Ather has claimed that it can go from 0-40kmph in 2.9 seconds, and I was not left in doubt why it is said to be quick off the line.

The 115km reported certified range is not bad, however, the actual range that can be achieved varies depending on the riding mode. Ather adjusts the parameters of the TrueRange: SmartEco mode– 90km, Eco mode-85km, Ride mode-75km and Sport mode-70km. While attempting such commutes in the city, I can say that the numbers were about accurate, it was realistic to go around providing the SmartEco mode as the best compromise between range and performance for such trips.

Another strong point which comes as the highlight of the 450S is its riding dynamics. Most of the rough bumps and potholes are addressed well with the telescopic fork in front and monoshock in the rear, making sure that the ride is bearable even on rough roads. Good balance of 12-inch wheels running 90-section tires at the front and rear gives confidence when cornering and braking.

As for brakes, the comfy stopping power is ensured by a 200mm front and 190mm rear disc braked setup. There are no worries about a set of disc brakes or how combined braking system (CBS) operates.

Features and Technology

Apart from the practicality of the Ather 450S many technologies were included to improve the riding experience. The 7-inch color segmented LCD console gets the job done easily as all the information is concise and can be read in bright outdoor conditions, even though this is not a touch screen console.

The Ather Grid is one of the most sought-after features as it facilitates reef load at public parks. With this facility, the scooter is able to charge from 0-50% in 1.5km per minute and 1km per minute for up to 80%. It is a perfect solution for urban employees who require such charges sometime during the day.

The scooter also comes with eight GB of storage and furniture RAM of 1 GB which supports installing new software and future enhancements. The Ather App provides extra connectivity to the customer by allowing for features like ride stats, persistent navigations, and alerts about theft.

Pro Pack is an additional layer which provides some advanced features on this device and for those that are ready to spend a bit more. These include four ride modes (Smart Eco, Eco, Normal, Sport), auto-hold for types and drives, auto indicator cut-off, call and music controls, and navigation that dictates step by step and many other functions.

Safety features concern led lights that have been provided all around the scooter to enhance its directional stability. The auto-hold feature aids in stop and go traffic where there is a high tendency to roll the scooter backward on ramps.

Variants

The Ather 450S is offered in two main variants:

Ather 450S Standard- This is priced at ?1,55,071 (ex-showroom) and forms the base model of the various variants. It includes all the basic features.

Ather 450S Pro Pack: This variant is priced at ?1,55,600 (ex show room price) and includes additional software features such as multiple ride modes, navigation as well as advanced app connectivity.

Pro Pack in my opinion is worth the money considering the small price difference between the two, and takes full advantage of the technology embedded into the scooter.

Market Position and Pricing

The starting ex-showroom price of Ather 450S considering its premium positioning in the Indian market as an electric scooter is ?1,17,489. This price range places it in the fight against other mid range electric scooters in the country including the Ola S1 Air, TVS iQube Electric, Bajaj Chetak, and Vida V1 Pro.

For traditional petrol scooters, it may seem high price wise when compared to other scooter models but for the 450S, the price tags can be vindicated due to the high technology, and performance of the Scooter along with less operating costs. The recent reduction in unit selling price to the tune of ? 20000 has increased competition in the category especially relative to the Ola S1 X+.

Target Audience

Over the term- the self-adjusting speed and other smart features certainly place the Ather 450S in the advanced urban segment aimed at young stylish guys and green energy advocates. It is perfect first and foremost for young office makers and for people who care about the environment and are ready to pay for a premium product once a day for travel.

Last, the scooter's range and performance are designed for urbanites who can charge their scooters either from home or work. Those antioxidants are for people who can't get enough of modern technology in their daily life.

Value for Money

In my opinion, the Ather 450S is reasonably priced for what it has to offer in terms of features, performance and built quality, compared to the other premium electric scooter offerings. When it comes to scooters, it provides a lower operational cost than that of petrol ones, and on top of that, provision for enhancement through OTA updates has a very candi even thermal scope.

However, people think this way may fasten down to the pricing structure depending on what one desires to do in life as well as how much charging opportunities one will have around. The 450S is an excellent asset towards future ready internal city transport for those that can optimally utilize some of the features on offer and charge with ease.

Range & Charging

Ather 450S is certified with range of 115km in one full charge under test conditions and this is comparable with the various offerings in this segment. For users of the home charger, the 2.9kWh battery pack around 8 hours and thirty six minutes in order to be completely recharged. However, this also makes sure that Ather Grid fast charging stations are also in different parts of the country and they can be located easily over the app.

In relation to the other major competitor, the Ola S1 X which claims a distance of around 151km, the 450S is somewhat short. However, actual range can sometimes differ enormously due to different riding conditions and styles.

Competitors and Comparison

Ather 450S has when it comes to this model segment which is a premium electric scooter:

Ola S1 X+: Provides a claimed higher range (151km) as well as speed (0-40kmph in 3.3sec.) within a cheaper sale price.

TVS iQube electric: Reliable and already have service networks.

Bajaj Chetak: Approaches a more classic look and is covered by a big car manufacturer.

Vida V1 Pro: Another offering in this regard is then one with similar specifications and capabilities.

To sum it all, the 450S in the midst of all the cut-throat competition brings its own capabilities of performance, technology and aesthetics. Elements including the quality of workmanship, comfort ride, and Ather Grid Charge network are some of its advantages. However, some of its others offer either more range or lower prices, which is bound to influence some of the customers.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the Ather 450S has moved the Indian electric scooter business one level higher. The melting pot of attention grabbing looks with powerful performance with the latest technology embedded which will draw urban workers whom seek to go electric.

It’s true that the 450S is not the cheapest vehicle in the market, it’s quite safe to say that it’s a cost filled with absolute value. The price cut granted recently has made this more worthwhile and perhaps converted some potential buyers who were still sitting on the fence.

As a reviewer, I must say I am impressed with the Ather 450S as a complete package. This is not merely a means of locomotion but a proposition for the future of urbanisation. I am positive that the 450S is worth considering for those who are inclined to make the switch to electric and are ready to pay a little extra.

There has been a huge change in the electric scooter segment in India, and the Ather 450S is part of this change. It sets the tone for what consumers can expect from electric scooters in the country, and I can only wait with bated breath on how it will move the market forward.