TVS goes electric again

TVS has launched the new iQube electric scooter which promises to replace your everyday runabout. We went to the

company’s test facility in Hosur and tried it out

For most of you, the TVS iQube marks TVS’ foray into electric mobility. However let’s start with an anecdote. Back in the late 2000s, TVS launched something called the TVS Scooty Teenz Electric which was contrary to popular belief the first electric scoot from the Hosur based manufacturer. The Teenz electric packed an electric motor and a battery pack which could give the little scooter a range of near about 40km. The Teenz electric also had a top speed of around 45kmph. However it was a concept too ahead of its time. Now though the iQube which is the company’s ‘second’ offering promises to be a more practical one. Let’s find out more about it shall we?

The iQube has been designed and developed entirely in India at TVS’ facility. The scooter looks highly practical and in some ways inclined more towards the Jupiter. The front end boasts of a unique looking slab like light unit which houses LED headlights and winkers. The LED day time light sits atop the handlebar shroud. The

front suspension comprises of a telescopic set up and the iQube rides on 12in chunky tyres shod with gorgeous alloy wheels. The instrument panel is an all colour screen developed in conjunction with Pricol and is a work of art. It can be paired to smart phones using an app and from then on, the whole scooter can be accessed via the app. One can also geo-fence the scoot if need be using the app. The screen on the other hand once paired offers a plethora of information. Call alerts, turn by turn navigation and so on. TVS claim that combined the screen can offer 58 functions! Brilliant we say. Apart from that the screen also beams out speed, range, charge level and riding modes. The switch gear is top notch as well and TVS has also offered a hazard light on the iQube. But the one thing we loved was the iPark feature. At the press of a button, the iQube can be made to creep both forward and reverse making it darn handy in parking lots. Coming back to the design, the iQube gets a large floor board within which sits a set of lithium ion battery packs. The other unit resides below the large underseat stowage area. The seat on the other hand is a large unit and sitting two up is very comfortable. At the back sits a rectangular all LED tail light cluster. Overall the scooter looks simple yet futuristic. We like!

The iQube uses a hub mounted BLDC motor which is provided by Bosch. This is one of the very few units which have been outsourced. Even the batteries are manufactured in-house albeit the cells are provided by LG. the motor develops 4.4kW of peak power and TVS claim that it can provide the iQube with a top speed of 78kmph and a zero to 40kmph time of 4.2 seconds. The triple lithium ion battery packs have a combined capacity of 2250Wh. Overall this endows the iQube with a maximum range of 75km. Thanks to the lack of mass at the rear, TVS have loaded the iQube with a twin shock set up at the back. This in turn has created a scooter which feels very sure footed. Let’s get on it next.

The iQube is a very comfortable place to be on. The seat is large and comfy and most importantly there is ample space on the floorboard too. The floor board being shallow means there is no squatting up here. The rider’s triangle is also rather perfect. Start up the iQube and there is an eerie bit of silence all over. Twist the throttle or may we say the power regulator and the scooter takes off brisk. The scooter gets off to a limited speed in eco mode and one can shift on to the power mode on the go and the acceleration is prominently noticeable. However if you do the opposite, the scooter slows down rapidly as regenerative gimmicks come in to play. Getting up to the claimed top speed is quick till 70kmph after which the scooter slows down. Deceleration is also brisk and once you let go of the throttle, the speed

THE IQUBE IS MORE OF A JUPITER RATHER THAN AN NTORQ. HOWEVER THE DNA IS CLEARLY VISIBLE. IT HANDLES WELL AND ALSO HAS A DECENT PUNCH

drops rapidly as the regenerative technologies take over. The other interesting factor is that even when one gets on to the top speed, there is no sensation as there are no vibes or noises to accompany. It is a very surreal experience and one does need to get used to it. As far as handling goes, the iQube feels sure footed. At TVS’ test track we could corner rather fast and enjoy the scooters rather balanced handling characteristics. The iQube was made available to us on TVS’ test track which was rather smooth. However the occassional bumps on the side roads we encountered were dismissed with ease. This gives us the confidence to say that the iQube will surely keep both the rider and the pillion happy. The chunky tyres grip well too and inspire overall confidence. The iQube also comes with the combined braking system instead of an ABS function. The rear tends to lock up easily when braking from top speeds and ABS is all the important as one does not realize the speeds he or she is doing until the speedo is consulted. So do keep consulting the instruments while hauling down the road.

1. The all digital IP of the iQube is properly state of the art. It offers a plethora of info and can be connected to a smartphone using Bluetooth. The display is clear to read even on a bright sunny day. 2. TVS is offering a flip key with the iQube. 3. The charging point cannot be locked. 4. The home charge unit is operated via a RFID card

1. The ‘TVS Electric’ insignia on the panel is backlit. The light changes while the scooter gets charged. 2. This is an all-LED light panel. 3. Disc brakes up front do a good job. 4. The alloys look so cool and are shod with chunky tyres as well. 5. The instrument panel can be paired to any smart phone using an application. Once paired you also get a geo-fencing option available

1. A retractactable luggage rack is available on the iQube. 2. The little ‘P’ button is to activate parking mode where one can inch forward or reverse on electric power. This function comes really handy while parking in tight spots. 3. Prominent insignia adorns th side panels

Rahul Ghosh Associate Editor rahul.ghosh@intoday.com @bulletcompany VERDICT Overall we think that now is the time when we are getting real everyday electric scooters. The Ather 450X was one of them and then there is the Bajaj Chetak. The TVS iQube though seems be one of the most sorted ones as it is the best of most worlds. Now all we need TVS to do is get us the production version of the Creon Concept.

The mirrors (Above) work well but is an eyesore designwise. 1. There is an LED DRL right below the black visor. 2. Like the front end, the rear light console is all-LED as well. 3. The Bosch derived hub motor fits seamlessly