Ather unveils refreshed product portfolio; Launches 450S

The 450S comes with a battery capacity of 2.9 kWh, an IDC range of 115km, a 0–40 acceleration of 3.9 sec, and a top speed of 90 km/h. The vehicle comes with a host of new changes including DeepView Display, new switchgear, FallSafe, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), and coasting regen, which improves range by up to 7%. Users can use the Ather Grid fast chargers to charge the 450S at a speed of up to 1.5km/min. The existing model - 450X, carries over all these upgrades and now also comes with the option to choose between 115 km and 145 km range variants. Both 450S and 450X users have the option to choose the Pro pack over the core configuration, which unlocks Ride Assist, Ather battery protect, AtherStack updates, and Ather Connect (free for 3Y).

Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, Ather Energy, said, “With the launch of our refreshed portfolio today, we now have three products on the 450 platform in different price segments. This allows us to reach out to a much wider set of buyers. Our latest entry level variant - the 450S breaks new ground in the 125cc performance scooter segment by offering a first-of-its-kind DeepView Display dashboard and a host of never seen before innovative features. The 450S significantly raises the bar in terms of riding pleasure and safety while still delivering on performance. The 450S will appeal to all those who want to enter the electric segment but are seeking the quality and assurance that Ather scooters provide at an accessible price point. Along with the 450S we are also introducing the 450X in 3kWh and 4kWh capacity providing more options to our customers to choose from our best selling scooter platform"

The 7” DeepView Display with a 1000:1 contrast ratio, industry-first auto-brightness, and 18-segment characters providing superior readability any time of the day. The on-board navigation on the DeepView Display comes with 18+ directional possibilities meaning, users can comfortably navigate even in a complicated 8-way roundabout. DeepView Display combined with newly designed switchgear provides one of a kind interactive experience, unavailable in current digital displays.   

Both the 450S and 450X come with new switchgear with an improved tactile feel and two new switch additions, one-click reverse, and a joystick. One-click reverse enables a hassle-free reverse experience, and the joystick enables a host of interactions on the 450S and also improved in-ride interactions on the 450X. 

The new FallSafe feature, now available in all models, can detect changes in the scooter's speed, orientation, and acceleration when the rider is about to fall over. This feature switches off the motor (to avoid any further movement such as skidding) and activates flashing indicator lights to notify those around to step forward to rescue the rider. Further, Ather brings the new ‘Emergency Stop Signal’, a regulation in Europe, to the Indian market for the first time. This feature is designed to avoid accidents/crashes in panic-braking situations. When an Ather user panic brakes at a speed greater than 50km/h, brake lights blink to give riders behind a visual cue/ warning, thus giving them precious extra time to react.

Further, to improve the battery range, the 450S comes with coasting regen feature that slows the vehicle down while at a steady coast (no acceleration and no manual braking) and recycles the energy back into the battery. Ather has dynamically implemented this feature, ensuring that regen is lower at lower speeds, for people to nib through traffic easily and higher at higher speeds to ensure lower brake usage and improved efficiency. These improvements are said to contribute towards lower brake pad wear and an improved range of up to 7%, depending on modes.

As a first in the industry, the new inbox-to-scooter feature delivers destination addresses from other apps (like WhatsApp/ Telegram/Instagram DM etc.) directly to the Ather dashboard. To activate this feature, users must have the Ather app installed, and the location shared must be a Google Maps link only.

The updated trip planner, apart from giving the most optimal suggestion of route along with a map of Ather Grid chargers, will also provide the option to select riders' own preferred Ather Grid charger and the trip will be planned keeping in mind your preferred chargers. Further, in certain geographies, trip planners can now help plan the trip and suggest appropriate Ather Grid chargers for intercity trips too. Ather has installed 1400+ public chargers spread across the country, including on state and national highways.

Ather has also made changes to the design of the rear mud flap to reduce the splatter on the pillion while riding on dusty or muddy roads. It also provides additional protection for the rear mono-shock and brake calipers from muddy conditions.

Deliveries will start in a phased manner, starting with 450X with 2.9 kWh battery by 3rd week of August, the 450S by last week of August and 450X with 3.7 kWh battery in October.