Upcoming Scooters In India: Bajaj’s Electric Scooter, Scomadi TL200, Lambretta V200 & More!

From an electric scooter to a 155cc maxi-scooter, here’s what’s headed our way in the coming months 

The scooter segment has witnessed a downfall in terms of sales, especially in the past couple of months. However, this doesn’t mean that this segment has lost its charm. There are some exciting scooters on sale right currently, and now that even electric scooters have entered into the equation, the scooter segment is even more tempting than before. From Bajaj reviving the iconic Chetak name to Vespa launching an electric scooter, here’s what is coming to our shores in the coming months.

Bajaj Electric Chetak:

Expected launch: September 2019

Expected price: Rs 1 lakh (on-road)

Bajaj is working on electric scooters under a new brand called Urbanite. And the first electric scooter to roll out from the assembly line could be called the Chetak. A while back, a test mule of the upcoming electric scooter was spied on the streets of Pune. Details about the electric Chetak are limited, but sources close to the company state that Bajaj and Bosch are working together on its development. Bosch, with its mastery on the drivetrain, battery management and other electronic components, will help Bajaj with all the mechanical parts.

Bajaj could equip its first electric scooter with features such as a fully digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, LED headlamp, riding modes and so on. The upcoming electric Chetak could sport a retro design language. More on that here.

The upcoming electric scooter is still in its testing phase and Bajaj could be working on resolving various issues. We expect it to launch the electric Chetak in the next two to three months. In terms of rivals, it will go up against the Ather 340 and the recently launched 22Kymco iFlow.

Yamaha NMax 155:

Expected launch: November 2019

Expected price: Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

While most of the two-wheeler brands have at least one 125cc scooter in their model portfolio, Yamaha is still banking on its 110cc models. But it seems like the Japanese bike manufacturer is planning to skip the 125cc space and will instead launch a 155cc scooter called the NMax 155. The upcoming maxi-scooter will be powered by a 155cc, liquid-cooled engine which churns out 15PS of power at 8000 rpm and 14.4Nm of peak torque at 6000 rpm. Here’s a fun fact for you: this is the same 155cc motor which powers the R15 V3.0 and the MT-15. 

The upcoming maxi-scooter will feature LED lights at the front and back, a fully digital instrument cluster and we also expect it to get a USB charging port. Suspension duties will be taken care of by a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking hardware will consist of 230mm discs at both ends and single-channel ABS will be offered as a standard fitment. When launched, it will rival the Aprilia SR 150 and the Vespa SXL/VXL 150.

Lambretta V200:

Expected launch: February 2020

Expected price: Rs 90,000 (ex-showroom Delhi)

After a hiatus of more than two decades, iconic scooter maker, Lambretta will be marking its second innings in India by the end of this year. And the first models to roll out from the company’s assembly line could be the V200 and the V125. Both scooters are likely to be launched at the 2020 Auto Expo. 

In terms of design, the Lambretta scooters follow the same retro design language as Vespa. The V200 is powered by a 168.9cc fuel-injected motor which makes 12PS of power at 7500rpm and 12.5Nm of torque at 5500rpm. It will feature a telescopic fork up front and a monoshock at the rear. The Lambretta V200 gets disc brakes at both ends (226mm up front and a 220mm at the rear) aided by ABS.

Lambretta V125:

Expected launch: February 2020

Expected price: Rs 70,000 (ex-showroom Delhi)

The Lambretta V200’s smaller cousin - the V125 - is also expected to launch next year. It will be based on the same platform as the V200 and will feature the same suspension and brake setup as its bigger cousin. However, one of the major differences between the two is that while the V200 gets ABS, the V125 will feature CBS. The V125’s 770mm seat height is similar to that of the Vespa 125. However, at 1330mm, V125’s wheelbase is 40mm longer than the Vespa. The upcoming scooter will sport a retro design and vibrant paint options just like the Vespa range. The 124.7cc motor pumps out 10PS of power and 9.2Nm of torque. In terms of competition, it will go head to head with the Vespa VXL 125, Aprilia SR 125, TVS NTorq 125, Suzuki Access 125 and the 2019 Activa 125. 

Vespa Elettrica

Expected launch: February 2020

Expected price: Rs 1.5 lakh-Rs 2 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Not just Bajaj, but Vespa too could launch an electric scooter in India soon. We expect the Italian marque to launch the Electtrica by February 2020. Vespa had first showcased the e-scooter at the 2017 EICMA and it's already on sale in Europe. 

Rather than giving its first electric scooter an all-new design, Vespa chose to stick to its roots and gave the Elettrica the classic Vespa look. Feature-wise, it gets a 4.3-inch colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity. The digital instrument cluster can be used to answer calls, view message notifications, activate voice commands and even manage your music choice. All you would have to do is connect your phone to the scooter via Vespa's app called Vespa Mia. The Vespa Elettrica is powered by an electric motor which produces 4.0kW (5.4PS) of power. The company claims that it has a range of 100km and can be fully charged in four hours. 

As it is Vespas are quite expensive and if you throw an electric motor and a bunch of new features, the price is bound to shoot up. Internationally, the Electtrica is sold for around Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). If Vespa decides to bring the e-scooter here, then it has to be locally manufactured, which could bring down the cost to around Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh (ex-showroom)

TVS’ New Electric Scooter:

Expected launch: December 2019

Expected price: Rs 80,000-Rs 90,000 (ex-showroom Delhi)

If you remember, TVS had showcased an electric scooter concept at the 2018 Auto Expo called the Creon. And if you are thinking that TVS could launch a production version of Creon, then you’d be wrong. Instead, the company might launch an electric version of the Jupiter or the NTorq 125 in the coming months. Chances are that TVS might go with the former as a test mule of the electric Jupiter was spied in 2017. However, if they plan to launch an electric version of the NTorq 125, then it could feature a digital instrument cluster and Bluetooth connectivity just like the petrol-powered variant. As of now, details regarding this upcoming unnamed electric scooter are limited, but we expect TVS to launch its first electric scooter by the end of this year.

Scomadi TL200:

Expected launch: December 2019

Expected price: Rs 2.0 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

British scooter manufacturer Scomadi is quite popular in the European continent. The company will set its foot in India by the end of this year and the first scooter to be launched will be the TL200. Along with mass-market scooters, the company also makes hand-built scooters for enthusiasts. Internationally, Scomadi offers a plethora of colour options with the TL200. Nine, to be precise. Scomadi also offers several customisation options for the TL200, but that will significantly increase the price. 

The classic-looking scooter is powered by a 181cc, single-cylinder water-cooled engine which pumps out 18.6PS and 15.5Nm of torque, which is almost 8PS more than the Aprilia SR 150! It features adjustable suspension setup at either ends. Stopping power comes from 180mm discs at both ends and single-channel ABS will be offered as standard. 

At Rs 2 lakh, it will be among the most expensive scooters in India. But what you get with the Scomadi is the ultimate bragging right of owning an exclusive scooter in front of your peers.