Photography: Siddhant Gadekar
TVS is no stranger to groundbreaking scooters. Take the Ntorq for example, it disrupted the rules of how a 125cc scooter should be, bringing many firsts in the segment. Likewise, the TVS X promises to change the electric scooter game. Like the Ntorq, does it have what it takes to be a game-changer?
In a world of interesting-looking electric scooters, the TVS X looks like no other in the Indian market. The sporty styling, slim headlamp and exposed frame handlebar – all are segment-disrupting design elements. If the design feels familiar, it is because the TVS X is derived from its Creon electric scooter concept showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It is quite impressive how TVS has managed to carry over the lines of the concept scooter in production form. Unlike conventional scooters the X does not get a floorboard but a central spine that also houses the battery pack. The X not only looks futuristic from all angles, but it also impresses with its premium paintjob, fit and finish levels and high-quality switches.
Like the design, the X packs in premium features as well. The 10.25-inch colour TFT instrument console is vastly customisable and hosts a ton of features. It can be tilt adjusted and features a lot of information like inbuilt navigation, personalised profiles, customisable widgets, Alexa integration, voice assistance and even the ability to watch YouTube videos! The screen in fact feels like a vast ecosystem in itself. That said, we would have liked the interface to be quicker.
The scooter does not have a physical key but a digital one which allows you to unlock it via a smartwatch or smartphone app. In terms of features and technology the X surpasses its rivals and more impressively, did not throw up any glitches during the time we spent with the electric scooter.
Besides the design and features, a significant highlight of the X is its electric powertrain which delivers upto 11kW of peak power (7kW continuous power) and 40Nm of torque. That allows for a claimed 0-40kmph time of 2.6 seconds though top speed is limited to 105kmph.
We rode the TVS X on the bikemaker’s Hosur test track. The X gets three riding modes (Xtealth, Xride and Xonic) which can be switched on the go. While the electric scooter exhibits linear but strong power delivery in the slower modes, the Xonic mode is the most exciting as the scooter surges ahead with even the smallest throttle inputs. Acceleration is relentless till 80kmph and thereafter tapers down. It will cross 100kmph with ease though.
Thanks to a 4.4kWh battery pack the X offers a claimed range of 140km. The battery also supports fast charging and with the optional 3kW fast charger can be charged from 0 to 50 percent in 50 minutes. With the regular 950-watt charger, TVS claims the scooter can be charged from 0-80 percent in 3 hours 40 minutes. TVS is in the process of setting up its fast charging ecosystem but you can charge your scooter at select third-party chargers which show up on the TVS app. The X also gets five levels of regen with the fifth being the strongest, even stronger than that on the iQube.
The TVS X sits on an all-new platform that consists of an aluminium twin-spar frame and a trellis sub-frame. It even gets maxi-scooter-like underpinnings like an offset rear monoshock, chunky 12-inch wheels and ABS which is a segment first.
On the TVS track, the scooter not just impressed with its high-speed stability but its composure in corners as well. The high-mounted battery pack means you do feel the scooter’s weight high up while moving it around at crawling to slow speeds but on the go, the scooter impresses with its balance and poise. Given that we rode the scooter on a smooth track, we would reserve comments on the ride quality to when we test it in the real world. Another impressive aspect of the chassis is the braking setup with disc brakes on both ends. The brakes offer a strong bite and the single-channel ABS offers the least intrusion.
To sum it up, the TVS X is one impressive electric scooter, and even more impressive when you consider the fact that it is wholly developed and built by an Indian manufacturer. In terms of performance, design and features, the TVS X is a cut above everything else and so is the price.
The TVS X is priced at Rs 2.5 lakh ex-showroom making it the most expensive electric scooter on sale in India. The high pricing will be a tough sell in the competitive EV segment where customers prioritise pricing above all else. Will the audience accept the X, only time will tell. What the TVS X does though is open the doors for sportier electric scooters.
