VIVA LA VIDA
The automotive world in India has been waiting with bated breath for Hero Motocorp to enter the fast-expanding electric scooter segment. It was a matter of time before the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer dipped its toes in the water. Hero seems to be aware of how big a deal its entry into the segment is, and aptly launched its new electric brand, Vida, with great pomp and a focus on not being the first, but the best in the business.
With Vida, Hero Motocorp has partnered with Taiwanese battery and scooter maker Gogoro, to make a series of battery-swappable electric scooters that should prove to be the brand’s USP in this crowded segment.
There are two variants on offer ― the V1 Plus and the V1 Pro. The Vida V1 will start at `1.45 lakh for the V1 Plus model, and go up to `1.59 lakh for the V1 Pro model. The major difference between the two models is the increased range and performance in the Pro variant. Both variants come with a removable swappable battery. The V1 Pro gets a 3.94kWh battery giving it 165km of IDC range while the V1 Plus with a smaller 3.44kWh unit gets an IDC range of 143km. There are four ride modes ― Sport, Ride, Eco and Custom. With a power figure of 6kW, the V1 Pro can sprint from 0-40kmph in 3.2 seconds, and to a top speed of 80kmph. The V1 Plus does the sprint to 40 in 3.4 seconds.
The scooters have a distinctly unique and futuristic design, with sharp edges and creases all around. The headlight and taillight are both LED units with sophisticated design. Overall, the scooter gives an impression of being light and nimble, which very few electric scooters manage.
The scooter is packed with a bunch of tech. There is a 7-inch touchscreen, along with cruise control, a two-way throttle for reverse, keyless ignition and an SOS feature to use in case of emergencies.
The Vida V1 Plus and V1 Pro will compete with not just legacy players, such as Bajaj and TVS, with the Chetak and the iQube but also the startup heroes, such as Ola, Ather and Simple with their offerings. Bookings have started from October 10, at a price of `2,499, and deliveries begin in December.