Price: £tbc | Power: 11kW (15 PS) | Weight: 134kg | BikeSocial rating: tbc
TVS Motor Company is India’s third largest motorcycle manufacturer and, as of 2020, the owner of the resurgent Norton brand here in the UK. TVS produce an astonishing number of bikes – 4.95 million a year, to be reasonably precise – and now enter the premium electric scooter market with the all-new TVS X.
This “lean-mean-clean” machine has a claimed top speed of 105kph (65mph), accelerates from 0-40kph (25mph) in 2.6 seconds, and has a quoted range of 140km (87miles) in test conditions. It is planned to go on sale here in Europe in 2024.
Review – In Detail
Price
For and against
Motor
Handling & Suspension (inc. weight & brakes)
Comfort & Economy
Equipment
Rivals
Verdict
Specification
Prices have only been released for the home Indian market (249,990 Indian Rupees, which converts to around £2400). Its UK price is likely to be significantly higher, although TVS won't be able to confirm a figure until April 2024.
In India, the X is priced well above similar, petrol-powered scooters, and I’d expect the same in Europe. However, that price is reflected in the bike’s premium feel and quality.
Every component of the X has been developed in house by TVS in India. The X is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), producing 11kW (15 PS) peak power and rated power at 7kW (9.5 PS) with an impressive 40Nm of torque on tap. TVS say the X is “designed to be fast and thrilling”, quoting a top speed of 105kph (65mph), and a 0-40kph (25mph) time of 2.5 seconds and 0-60kph (37mph) in 4.5 seconds. Range is a claimed 140km (87miles).
There are three riding modes: Xtealth, “for your daily commute”; Xtride, “to feel that adrenaline”; and Xonic, “to max out the thrill”, with multi-level re-gen modes. Cruise control comes as standard, along with a reverse assist. The motor is cooled via ram air, which is a new concept for TVS.
With the rapid Smart X home charger, 0-50% battery charge can be achieved in just 50 minutes and should give a range of 70km (44miles). On a 950W charger, 0-80% charge can be achieved in 3 hours 40 minutes. When the battery is low, an extremely wide and informative 10.2-inch touchscreen dash can guide you to the nearest EV charger. Hill hold control adds another dimension of comfort.
The all-new Indian-made EV is based around a cast aluminium alloy frame. The exposed and racy-looking Xleton frame has been designed for optimum stiffness and durability. Twelve-inch wheels (100/80 12 front and 110/80 12), upside-down telescopic forks up front and an offset monoshock at the rear give the X a very European look. Continuing the premium feel, there are disc brakes front and rear, while ABS come as standard but is on the front wheel only.
The wheelbase is 1285mm and, with weight kept low, the X should prove an agile machine.
Battery range is a quoted 140km (87miles), but of course we won't be able to confirm that until we ride the bike. Seat height is relatively low 770mm and for an electric bike there’s decent under-seat storage, as the batteries are not stored under the seat as they are on many EV scooters.
To keep the rider amused and informed is a very impressive 10.2-inch TFT touchscreen dash, which tilts to match the height of all riders. As you’d expect, the screen comes with full connectivity which enables live video streaming, onboard games and even web browsing. You can check out your social media whilst stuck at the traffic lights, assuming that’s legal where you live. In addition, there is TVS NavPro, the onboard navigation system, and you can even personalise the large dash, change themes or just upload your own pictures and wallpaper.
Keyless ignition, crash alert and tow alert add to the premium finish of the TVS X, and you can even enable live vehicle location sharing. LED lighting, flip-down rear pillion pegs, along with the huge 10.2” dash-entertainment centre add up to a high-level premium finish.
With a 105kph (65mph) top speed and range of 140km (87miles), the new TVS X sits alongside 125cc-equivalent petrol scooters, or EV scooters which have similar performance. In the EV class, we are looking at Yamaha’s NEO’s, the Seat MO and NIU MQi GT Evo, all of which we’ve tested. It will be interesting to see how the Indian-made TVS compares to the current competition when get to ride the new model later this year or early next.
Yamaha NEO’s | Price: £2950
Equivalent to a 50cc moped, which is reflected in price and performance. Excellent build quality, handling is light, easy and responsive – just like the brakes. Nicely styled too.
Power/Torque: 3.5bhp/2.4Kw 100lb-ft/136Nm | Weight: 90kg
Seat MO | Price: £5800
A rebadged Silence, with proven technology, a neat design and a unique portable battery. Quality feel with Pirelli rubber but poor front forks. Power/Torque: 9.4bhp/7Kw 117lb-ft/240Nm | Weight: 152kg
NIU MQi GT EVO | Price: £3499
Claimed to be the current fastest bike in this class, with good performance, comfort and ride quality, but lacks under-seat storage. Attractive price tag. Power/Torque: 9.8bhp7.3kw 41.1lb-ft/56,2Nm | Weight: 128kg
Sudarshan Venu Joint Managing Director of TVS Motor Company, owners of Norton
We only managed to view and walk around the Indian-made premium TVS X scooter in Dubai, but it looks good. We will let you know how it rides when we throw a leg over later this year or early 2024.
|
New price
|
TBC
|
|
Battery
|
3.8kWH
|
|
Motor
|
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
|
|
Power
|
11kw (Peak Power)
|
|
Rated
|
7kw
|
|
Torque
|
40Nm
|
|
Top speed
|
105kph (65mph) claimed
|
|
Range
|
140km (87miles) claimed
|
|
Charge time
|
3h 40 to 80% on 950W
|
|
Rider aids
|
3 rider modes, plus ABS.
|
|
Frame
|
Aluminium Alloy
|
|
Front suspension
|
Conventional
|
|
Rear suspension
|
Offset single shock
|
|
Front brake
|
220mm disc
|
|
Rear brake
|
195mm disc
|
|
Front tyre
|
100/80-12
|
|
Rear tyre
|
110/80-12
|
|
Wheelbase
|
1285mm
|
|
Seat height
|
770mm
|
|
Weight
|
134kg
|
|
Warranty
|
TBC
|
|
Website
|
www.tvsmotor.com
|
Looking for motorcycle insurance? Get a quote for this motorbike with Bennetts bike insurance
If you’d like to chat about this article or anything else biking related, join us and thousands of other riders at the Bennetts BikeSocial Facebook page.
What is MCIA Secured?
MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.
As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.
MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:
- A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard
- An ignition immobiliser system
- A vehicle marking system
- An alarm system
- A vehicle tracking system with subscription
The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.
