Price War is On!

ATHER 450S

- Anant Pandey

Tags like 'more affordable' and 'cheaper' often have a dark shadow lurking behind them. It doesn't work all the time you see, treading down the affordable route because either manufacturers dilute the formula a little too much that the product fails to impress or people start believing that by spending a bit more, they could get the full course meal and not just an appetizer. Blame the reduction in FAME II subsidies for this new affordable route that is being undertaken by EV makers. Ola had to go the S1 Air way while Ather is following it up with the 450S. So is the 450S too diluted? Or does it still stick to the ethos of what makes an electric scooter a true blue Ather?

FAMILIAR LOOKS, FAMILIAR FEEL

The Ather 450S looks strikingly similar to the 450X because, well, it is! There are only minor differences that differentiate it from its full-monty counterpart - the X. First, body-coloured treatment on the headlight surround panels, instead of blacked-out one found on the X. Then there's the tiny S badging on the front apron. That's about it and that isn't a bad thing at all because to my naked eyes, the Ather 450S is one of the sharpest and athletic scooters in India. Doesn't matter what flows in their veins, petrol or electricity, the Ather 450 is one ripped runner.

Priced at 1.29 Lakh (ex-showroom), the 450S might be more affordable than the X but by a long shot, it isn't a cheap scooter. Thankfully, the extra moolah you spend on acquiring an Ather, becomes justified because of the sublime build quality. What isn't sublime though, are the cramped riding ergonomics. At the cost of becoming razor sharp, it has also sliced comfort and convenience. The floorboard is only big enough to accommodate your riding boots. Forget carrying a gas cylinder, even a 10-litre water can could feel out of place here.