Ather 450 Apex – Taking Electric Scooters to a New Level
Commemorating a significant milestone, homegrown EV manufacturer Ather Energy has taken the wraps off the hotly anticipated Ather 450 Apex high performance electric scooter. The new model debuted at a special event celebrating Ather Energy’s 10 successful years designing intelligent, connected electric two-wheelers for the Indian market.
Priced at Rs 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom), the 450 Apex slots in as a halo product above Ather’s 450 Plus and 450X variants – combining exotic aesthetics packed with technology and segment-leading hardware. Deliveries to customers commence by March 2023.
“The Ather 450 Apex is our most exciting scooter in production yet pushing boundaries on design, performance and innovation. This is just the beginning of a string of new products that will set benchmarks globally.”, emphasized Ather Energy CEO Tarun Mehta during the unveil.
Ather 450 Apex Pricing, Availability and Incentives
Bookings for the limited run Ather 450 Apex are already open at Rs 20,000, with production deliveries on track for March 2023. Only a finite allotment of units will be assembled in the initial batch catering to early buyers.
Given its positioning as a premium flagship, the 450 Apex carries a price tag of Rs 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom). However Ather sweetens the value proposition by packaging in a 5 year or 60,000 km battery warranty – whichever earlier.
The company’s smart connected scooter platform ‘Ather Connect’ enabling remote monitoring and upgrades comes free for 3 years. There are additional savings in the form of a lower 5% GST tax rate instead of standard 28% for EVs under Rs 10 lakh.
Further exciting enthusiasts, all 450 Apex owners receive an exclusive Delight Kit including:
- Designer hand-crafted helmet
- Inbuilt tire pressure monitoring system
- Neck gaiter accessory
- Iron-on Ather logo garment patch
- Uniquely crafted keychain
“Our Delight Kit is crafted to delight our customers with utility and vanity products made specially to complement the Ather 450 Apex ownership experience.”, noted an Ather spokesperson.
Design and Styling of the Ather 450 Apex
While retaining familiar lines of the Ather 450 series, the 450 Apex introduces bold, cutting-edge aesthetics never before glimpsed in an Indian two-wheeler. The side body panels are uniquely semi-transparent, offering a peek into the scooter’s internal wiring and mechanics.
Illuminated from within, this distinctive styling highlight gives the 450 Apex an exotic, almost concept vehicle appeal unlike any production scooter. Signature LED lighting integrated into the panels glows in tune with ambient sounds for a striking effect whether parked or in motion.
Owners can choose between two exclusive matte color choices:
- Indium Blue – Rich blue shade with greenish tint
- Stark Orange – Vibrant orange and black dual-tone
Interestingly, the Indium Blue shade holds special significance as a globally new color discovered specifically for the one-of-a-kind 450 Apex during the development process. Viewed up close, it stands out as the deepest, most matte blue available.
The scooter’s aggressive, performance-focused form factor is enhanced by details like chunky, contrasting wolf grey accents on the rear body panel and raised handlebar ends. Together with diamond-cut alloy wheels, these elements showcase the Ather 450 Apex’s sporting credentials from every angle.
Performance and Hardware of 450 Apex
As the name Apex suggests, performance takes center stage – making this the quickest, most powerful scooter yet from Ather Energy by a clear margin. An upgraded 6.7 kW PMS motor puts out almost 10% greater peak power and torque than the Ather 450X which already held segment benchmarks.
This directly translates into vicious acceleration potential – the 450 Apex sprints from 0 to 40 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, which Ather claims makes it the quickest electric scooter in India. The increased grunt also facilitates a higher 140 kmph top speed.
A new Warp+ mode amplifies performance by delivering the fastest throttle response time of any electric scooter sold locally at a lightning quick 90 milliseconds – allowing riders to exploit the motor’s capabilities for maximum thrill. The cabin features a G-force meter letting riders measure acceleration forces.
Remarkably, the addition of Ather’s intelligent ‘Magic Twist’ regenerative braking system ensures these performance gains don’t substantially impact real world range. Riders can still expect over 110 km range per charge. Magic Twist harnesses kinetic energy that would be lost while slowing down, converting it into electricity to partially recharge the battery.
Features and Technology of the Ather 450 Apex
Packed with connectivity and convenience functions, the 450 Apex offers a next-gen digital experience on par with far more expensive electric two-wheelers abroad. The responsive 7” touchscreen is the command center to access features via the Ather App:
- Neighborhood Connect platform enabling peer-to-peer chat
- Over-the-air update capability
- Onboard navigation
- Auto indicator off function
- Theft detection alerts and more
Additionally, the 450 Apex introduces a segment first in-built tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) adding convenience. This monitors air pressure in real time without external equipment, alerting riders to cues like a puncture.
Ather’s flexible software architecture futureproofs the platform. Being cloud-connected means the 450 Apex gains new capabilities over time via remote updates without dealership visits – a precedent Ather already set over 4 years ago with the 450 series.
Why the Ather 450 Apex is a Major Milestone
The debut of the Ather 450 Apex carries deeper significance than just an exciting new model addition. As a halo product developed ground-up showcasing Ather’s growing capabilities, its arrival marks some key milestones:
- Cements Ather’s position amongst India’s leading EV brands catering to an increasingly discerning audience after 10 strong years. From pioneering connected electric scooters locally to now combining bleeding edge design and performance, Ather has raised its global profile.
- Sets new benchmarks in electric two-wheeler capabilities – be it design innovation highlighted by the see-through panels, class-leading acceleration or technology like predictive maintenance alerts.
- Provides a glimpse into the future of smarter electric transport – the Ather platform lays the foundations for revolutionary functionality in areas like two-wheeler charging infrastructure, renewables integration and autonomous capability.
- Elevates aspirations and pride for homegrown EV engineering competence on par with international brands. The 450 Apex demonstrates India’s talent pool can create world-class electric two-wheelers matched by slick branding.
In Tarun Mehta’s own words, “The Ather 450 Apex is a testament to the fact that India can build electric vehicles that are clearly better than traditional petrol vehicles.” High praise – signifying Ather views this as more than just their quickest scooter, but a message showcasing their technological finesse after a decade.
Conclusion
Priced at Rs 1.89 lakh, the Ather 450 Apex enters a rarefied territory in the Indian two-wheeler space blurring lines between automobiles and gadgets. But rather than alienating, its sophisticated aura and one-off styling intrigues – riding the swelling wave of premium EV adoption.
While undoubtedly too niche to be dubbed a ‘mass market’ scooter, as a hero product for early adopters and tech connoisseurs, the 450 Apex fits the mold perfectly to shine a spotlight on indigenous EV innovation.
Beyond the show-stopping design, transparency panels and blistering acceleration, it pioneers connected functionality we are only beginning to conceive. In doing so, Ather makes a proud proclamation of Made in India EV efforts delivering a machine able to turn heads globally.
For all the pointers to a brighter electric future it represents, the 450 Apex shapes up as a fitting tribute to commemorate a decade of the startup that took on reinventing urban mobility – and succeeded in its vision to deliver smart, future-ready EVs custom-built for Indian riders. We can’t wait to see the next revolutionary chapter!
