Ather 450S

Ather 450S from Ather Energy, a Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer, is a more affordable version of the sportier 450X. It shares many features with the more premium Ather 450X but comes with a smaller battery and a less powerful motor for a lower cost.

The 450S has an almost identical design to the 450X. With sleek and angular body panels, the 450S has an angular, apron-mounted LED headlight and LED indicators on the front handlebar cover. At the rear, it has an inverted U-shaped LED tail lamp with integrated LED turn indicators. 

The Ather 450S is available in four colours: Cosmic Black, Salt Green, Space Grey, and Still White. The 450S can be distinguished from the 450X by its name sticker on the front apron and its colour LCD console (as opposed to 450X’s TFT touchscreen display).

The motor generates 5.4kW of maximum power and 22Nm of maximum torque, which makes it relatively less powerful than the Ather 450X's 6.4kW and 27Nm. Its acceleration is somewhat slower: The 450S claims a 0 to 40kmph time of 3.9 seconds, while the 450X takes 3.3 seconds. 

The 450S offers three riding modes: Smart Eco, Ride, and Sport, with it lacking the Warp mode found in the 450X. However, even in Sport mode, the 450S feels quite quick. Both models share the same top speed of 90kmph.

A significant change in the Ather 450S is its reduced battery capacity, down to 2.9kWh from the 450X's 3.7kWh. Thus, the Ather 450S offers a slightly lower ARAI-certified range of 115km compared to the 450X's 145km. 

However, Ather assures riders that the 450S will still provide a range of 90km in real-world conditions. The range makes the electric scooter good enough for city riders who have short daily commute. It's worth noting that Ather's range predictions are usually extremely accurate.

The Ather 450S shares the same platform as the 450X, featuring an aluminium and steel hybrid chassis, telescopic fork suspension for the front wheel, monoshock suspension on the rear wheel, and 12-inch wheels. 

The main difference between the two models is the 450S's smaller battery pack and motor, resulting in a 3.6 kg lighter kerb weight. This slight weight reduction affects handling: The 450S turns a bit more effortlessly than its counterpart. In our view, the 450S is one of the best-handling electric scooters on sale in India.

However, this enhanced handling comes at the expense of ride quality. The suspension setup is slightly on the firmer side. Solo riders may feel some of the larger bumps on the road, but the ride quality improves significantly with a pillion on board.

Equipped with a 200mm disc brake at the front and a 190mm disc brake at the rear — identical to the 450X — the 450S features a combined braking system for added safety. The brakes feel sharp and responsive, bringing the scooter to a quick halt.

The seating position on the 450S is the same as that of the 450X Gen 3, which received a slightly updated seat. With a seat height of just 780mm, it should be easy enough for riders of all heights to plant their feet on the ground. While the pillion seat may be marginally challenging to mount, it's arguably one of the most comfortable in its category.

The 450S features a flat floorboard. Though not the largest in its class, this floorboard provides enough space for carrying a decently sized office bag or groceries. The under-seat storage, measuring 22 litres, is not as spacious as that of Ola S1 or TVS iQube, but it should suffice for most needs. However, storing the portable charger under the seat leaves practically no space for additional items.

The 450S features a 7-inch colour segmented LCD console that isn't touchscreen-enabled. The new console provides superb visibility even in bright sunlight. Although it lacks Google Maps integration, the screen can display turn-by-turn navigation through the Ather App using MapMyIndia.

Additionally, the 450S introduces some new features: There are new switches on the Ather 450S, including a joystick for menu navigation. These new buttons are intuitive to use and feel well-made.

The 450S offers mobile connectivity for music control and call/message alerts. One notable new feature is coasting regen, which provides mild regenerative braking when you release the throttle. This feature allows the battery to charge a little when you release the throttle.

Another significant addition is the fall detection feature. It automatically shuts off the motor in the event of a crash and alerts your chosen contacts through the Ather App.

Auto Hold, a popular feature from the 450X, is also present on the 450S and works well, particularly on inclines or declines. Moreover, a one-touch reverse mode has been added. 

The scooter features an emergency stop signal, which rapidly flashes the brake light during hard emergency braking. This feature alerts other riders and drivers behind you that you are slowing down rapidly.

Unfortunately, nearly all the tech features are locked behind the optional 'Pro Pack' upgrade, which costs an additional Rs 12,999.

The Ather 450S is an excellent choice if you prefer a sporty electric scooter that you'd use for your daily commute within a reasonable range. Despite its slightly high price of Rs 1,15,599 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), the agile handling, zippy performance, and new-age features make the Ather 450S worth considering. However, if your daily commute is long or charging spots are scarce in your area, you might want to explore other options, like the Ola S1 Pro or Ather 450X.