Ather 450X Gen 3 First Ride Review: Likes And Dislikes

Is the bigger battery and new tyres all that the Ather needed to take on the competition? 

It would be fair to say that Ather Energy introduced the Indian market to the premium electric scooter segment. It offered reliable and exciting performance with unique features like no other product in the market. However, as our market’s interest in EVs grew, competition creeped in from new and established companies. Now, Ather has launched the 450X Gen 3, and here’s what we liked and disliked about the e-scooter from our first ride:

                                                                                     Likes

Bigger Battery

With the Ola S1 Pro, Simple One and now even the TVS iQube Electric boasting of 100+km range per charge, Ather too decided to upgrade their battery capacity. However, the brand hasn’t gone to beat the competition, but increased the range to a claimed 105km. Though we can test the actual range only once we get it for a full road test review, going by Ather’s history, the actual figure shouldn’t be far off from the claimed number.

While the range isn’t the segment best, the bigger battery brings some more benefits. For starters, the charge per cell would be lesser, which should improve its battery life and also improve thermal capability since there’s less load on each cell. While these aspects can be only tested during a road test review, we rode the e-scooter for over 80km in Sport and Warp mode. So, there’s definite improvement in the range. 

Better Handling 

Ather Energy has equipped the 450X Gen 3 with MRF Nylogrip Zapper-N tyres, which are grippier than the tyres that came on the Gen 2. Furthermore, the rear tyre is now a 100/80-12 unit instead of a 90/90-12. These two changes have made a tremendous improvement in terms of handling. While the Gen 2 would tip in easily into corners, it would become freakishly sharp and wasn’t that much confidence inspiring. On the other hand, the new tyres have a rounder profile allowing for a more seamless and natural cornering experience. This instills great confidence in pushing the scooter more into the bends.

Improved control in Braking

The new tyres have also improved the braking feel and stability of the e-scooter. With the larger contact patch at the rear and grippier compound, the 450X Gen 3 doesn’t lose composure even under hard braking. Since it still gets Combined Braking System (CBS), the rear does lock up, however, it doesn’t step out as it did on the Gen 2.

More Responsive Console

Ather Energy has upgraded the 7-inch touchscreen’s console too. So, instead of the 1GB RAM and an 8GB ROM, it now gets a 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM. This has resulted in a much smoother operating experience, especially while using maps. In future, this upgrade will also help Ather run deeper diagnostic and more complex background features.

                                                                                Dislikes

No Performance Changes

The bigger battery and better tyres are definitely a welcome change. However, some improvements to the motor would have been cherry on top. The Ather 450X Gen 3 is now 3.5kg heavier than the Gen 2. And with no change to the motor, the acceleration is bound to take a hit. For perspective, the Gen 2 is a whole 4 seconds slower than Ola in 0-80kmph acceleration run. And while the Ola even manages to cross 100kmph mark, the Ather’s speed is locked at a speedo-indicated 90kmph.

No New Features

There’s an unspoken features war that’s been going on in the EV market, and though Ather was the one that brought in the first feature-rich EV, it now falls behind the competition. We would have loved it if the EV maker would have given the Gen 3 some additional features like cruise control or even something as simple as a brake lock clamp that even basic 110cc scooters get.

Verdict

Ather Energy has always stayed away from the number game of having the best-in-segment performance or features. With the Gen 3, the company has enhanced an already great package. The bigger battery and the new tyres definitely are a step in the right direction. 

At Rs 1,57,507 (ex-showroom), the Ather 450X Gen 3 is now Rs 5,106 more expensive than the second generation model. Given the updates and the benefits one will reap from it, the price hike seems justified. That said, with the Simple One incoming, should Ather gear up for Generation 4 already?