TVS iqube: In a significant development which signifies the evolving nature of India’s electric two-wheeler space, TVS Motor Company has taken wraps off an extensively revised version of its electric flagship, the iQube.
It’s all new in its latest generation, and far more feature-rich than we’ve seen previously at this low price point — which Tesla indicates is a sign of the growing maturity in the market that it’s addressing.
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TVS iqube Next Generation of Electrification
The first iQube, which was introduced in 2020, was a careful toe-in-the-water effort for TVS in the electric mobility domain.
That first model essentially was a proof of concept that proved an electric powertrain could work with traditional scooter functionality.
The outgoing version, on the other hand, appears a rather philosophically different proposition, selling the EVs, not just as green vehicles, but tech showcases, sets to be better in features and user experience compared to their petrol siblings.
“We’re going beyond the discussion of range anxiety and charging infrastructure,” says Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director at TVS Motor Company when launching the product in Bengaluru.
‘Yes, those are important factors, but the urban consumer of today also wants his electric vehicle to offer a premium experience that justifies the switch. The new iQube is all that and much more.”
This thought process is instantly apparent in the scooter’s design, which has moved away from the deliberately retro styling of its predecessor towards a more unique look that doesn’t shy away from its electric powertrain.
Design That Makes a Statement
The new iQube gets edgier lines and prominent cuts which give off an impression of the future and yet are not futuristic enough to put off a traditional scooter customer.
The distinct LED headlamp with unique light signature in the typical Vespa profile ensures scooter identity even at night.
The flanks merge more fluidly with the rear end comprising the new wraparound LED tail light that improves both visibility and aesthetic identity.
Ui And It Is easy to hold onto – the sturdy polyacrylic body which is available In 5 different shades and brings in a lot Of color options, Including the eye-popping ‘Copper Bronze’ and ‘Titanium Grey’.
The top models come with opposing colour finishes that take the scooter’s contemporary theme to new heights.
“Electric vehicles shouldn’t look quirky to be considered innovative,” says design lead Shailesh Chandra.
“We’ve designed something that’s sleek and sophisticated, yet affordable, without compromising on the simplicity and practicality that riders have come to expect from scooters.
Tech Integration that is a showstopper
What makes the new iQube stand out is its technology package. Topping the list is a 7-inch TFT gauge display that is smartphone-like in responsiveness and legibility, even in direct sunlight.
This had is the control to a long list of connectivity features from the company powered by the SmartXonnect platform.
The device supports turn-by-turn directions and live traffic updates, music control for paired devices, hands-free calling and ride statistics, among other things.
Even more remarkable, the iQube now supports voice commands across multiple Indian languages, enabling riders to command several task hands-free — a feature which was only seen in premium cars until now.
“We’ve redesigned the entire UI with smartphone design principles,’’ says the CTO. We wanted to make something very intuitive for the digital natives of today but also with enough depth for the more techy ones to get hands on.
This thinking permeates into the TVS iQube smartphone app as well, which has been completely revamped to enable remote functionality, from geo-fencing and battery charge status to ride history, and over-the-air updates that can add new features through the scooter’s life.
The app also gamifies riding efficiently by assigning points and achievement badges that motivate owners to achieve the greatest range out of their ride by modifying their riding habits.
Performance That Delivers
Under the modern suit, though, TVS worked on the powertrain significantly. The new iQube gets a state-of-the-art 4.4 kW electric motor that has a claimed maximum speed of 82 km/h and acceleration figures that are said to be better than most 125cc petrol scooters especially in the sprint from zero to 40 km/h.
Offering three riding modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – riders can switch between performance or range based on their preference for the ride and weather conditions.
In the more sedate Eco mode, the company says that the battery will deliver a range in excess of 150 km from a full charge, and even when operated in Normal mode, the it promises around 120 km, all of which at last makes electric scoots travel more than just short distance commute coverers.
The battery pack is entirely new and has sophisticated thermal management system that will help it run cooler even in India’s extreme climatic conditions.
Fast charge capability transports the battery from 0-80% within approximately 45 minutes using a compatible speed recharging station or 4.5 hours using a standard home charger.
“We tackled range anxiety not just by packing more battery in, but also by making it smarter,” the engineering lead says.
“The regenerative braking system can be adaptable to riding conditions while ensuring maximal energy recovery without generating an unnatural riding sensation.”
Premium Features That Delight
On top of the main tech package, TVS has added plenty of nice touches to the Punch to make owning one even more palatable.
The under seat storage is also carefully planned out for convenience with a 32 liter capacity and USB charging port that mounts inside the unit ensuring devices are charged when you reach your destination.
The seat is multi-density foam constructed with an anti-skid material, and contrast stitching that would not look out of place on expensive motorcycles.
There’s a smart parking assist feature for squeezing into a spot, and when the situation calls for it, the reverse mode offers assist with the scooter’s 118 kg (260 lb) of humpy-bump.
Upper-end models feature luxury items such as a cooled glove box that keeps smartphones cool during summer rides, ambient lighting with color choices, and a lean angle and distance-activated auto-cancelling turn signal system – something typically found on more advanced motorcycles.
And most impressively, the iQube debuts what TVS calls “Predictive Maintenance” – an AI-powered system that keeps tabs on various components and warns the rider of an impending issue before it escalates.
Provided through the smartphone app, that function is an intentional reimagining of the ownership experience from service done in response to to service done in anticipation.
TVS iqube Positioning and Value Proposition
The new iQube is available in two variants and is priced between ₹1.17 lakh and ₹1.61 lakh (ex-showroom), and makes a case for a premium electric scooter in the market.
This is no small amount over basic petrol alternatives – but TVS points out the lower running costs (about ₹0.50 per kilometer, compared to the ₹2.50-3.00 you’ll spend to run a petrol scoot) and reduced maintenance (brakes that actually last twice as long as conventional drum brakes) allows them to win back the TCO equation.
The company has also introduced a “comprehensive ownership package” called “iQube Care”, which add features such as extended battery warranty, planned maintenance via annual servicing and roadside assistance – in response to anticipated long-term reliability concerns that new technology often raises.
With the iQube, thereby, customers get the perfect mix of premiumness, practical range and a very thoughtful ownership experience — something, the company believes, will make its prospective customers not only switch to electric mobility, but choose to enjoy a clean personal transport devoid of the ownership pains they are used to in current times.
