Ather has been building scooters for a decade now. From the 450s and its variants to the very sought-after Rizta, its feature-rich family scooter, the brand has built a strong product portfolio. For most buyers, steep pricing can be enough to make them reconsider a purchase. Indian consumers are price-sensitive, and pricing therefore plays an important role in the buying decision. Last year, Ather unveiled its EL platform, which the company said would underpin its upcoming mass-market scooter. We also had a chance to get up close with the EL01 concept, which was showcased at its Community Day. This year, Ather has unveiled the Konarc, its first mass-market product, and we had a chance to ride it in Bengaluru to see what it is all about.
The design of the Konarc has stayed true to the original concept, with not much changed for the production version. In its final form, however, it looks neat and simple, making it very approachable for its target audience. Ather has skipped stickers and graphics on the Konarc, instead opting for subtle colour options that do not scream for attention. The Konarc gets LED lighting, a digital instrument cluster and a wide, comfortable seat, all aimed at catering to commuters and family users.
Ather has equipped the Konarc with a 14-inch front wheel and a 12-inch rear wheel, a combination the brand says improves stability and comfort on broken and bumpy roads. The front gets telescopic forks, while a longer-travel single shock takes care of the rear. The variant we rode gets a front disc and rear drum brake. Additionally, there are three riding modes – SmartEco, Eco and Power, along with a reverse mode.
Higher variants come loaded with features such as AirWalk, AutoHold, FallSafe and AutoPop for the seat, as well as a remote key that enables features such as AutoWake and SmartLock. You also get a 450W on-board charger, which helps free up space under the seat and provides 31-litres of storage. For faster charging, customers can also opt for an additional 450W portable charger, which further reduces charging times.
The Ather Konarc is available in two trims – Konarc S and Konarc Z. The Z variants get additional features such as an adjustable pillion backrest, TFT instrument cluster and the Magic Key. However, the Z variants will be introduced later in a phased manner.
The Konarc S comes in three variants, featuring 2.1kWh, 2.7kWh and 3.5kWh battery packs, with IDC-claimed ranges of 100km, 125km and 161km, respectively. The 2.1kWh battery pack variant produces 4kW, while the other two variants deliver 4.7kW. Torque is rated at 16Nm across the S range, while the top speed is capped at 70kmph. The Konarc also gets Ather’s new Bedrock battery, which the brand claims offers improved reliability in terms of charging and battery health, along with a longer lifespan and fewer battery-related issues.
Riding the Ather Konarc is a smooth experience. The scooter starts simply with the press of a button. The AutoHold function is particularly useful when you stop on an incline, and disengaging it requires nothing more than a press of the brake. Switching between riding modes is straightforward and requires a press of the mode button, and so does activating the reverse parking assist.
Acceleration in SmartEco and Eco modes is softened, allowing you to extract more range from a single charge. Switching to Power mode unlocks quicker acceleration and the scooter’s top speed, although this comes at the cost of range. For everyday city usage, the power and torque felt adequate, while Power mode is useful when you need to make a quick overtake.
The ride quality of the Ather Konarc is also well balanced. The riding position is neutral, while the floorboard is spacious enough to allow you to move your feet around. The seat padding is just right, too. The combination of 14-inch and 12-inch wheels allows the Konarc to swallow most potholes and broken patches with ease. The Konarc handles quite well and feels agile and confident on the road. Riding it through Bengaluru’s traffic felt effortless, with the scooter responding predictably to inputs and being easy to manoeuvre through tight spaces.
The suspension setup is tuned towards comfort. While the rear shock felt slightly firm, it behaved much better with a pillion, which is an important consideration given that a scooter like the Konarc is likely to spend much of its time carrying a passenger. Stopping power is also adequate, and with Ather’s AeBS, the scooter is claimed to reduce stopping distances significantly. Overall, the ride quality and experience left us impressed.
The entry-level electric scooter market is already buzzing, and the Ather Konarc will go head-to-head with the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak C2501, Hero Vida VX2 and Ola S series. Ather is also offering an extended 10-year warranty on the battery. With a starting price of ₹99,999, the Konarc should be able to attract customers looking for a smooth, easy-to-use electric scooter without stretching their budget too far. And that makes the Ather Konarc a solid option to consider in the competitive entry-level electric scooter space.
