2022 Ather 450X with redesigned rear-view mirrors
At first glance, one would struggle to find any changes in the Gen 3 450X, as the exterior design remains the same for 2022 as well. However, upon closer inspection, you will notice the redesigned rear view mirrors that Ather has developed after receiving complaints. An earlier design that was aesthetic but impractical. Ather tells us that the new design offers a 25 percent wider viewing angle and is lighter and stronger too. It now also has a single adjustment mechanism.
For 2022, the 450X also gets a new set of tyres, which have been co-developed with MRF. The Ather founders tell us that these offer riders 25 percent more grip and 16 percent more contact patch that helps the third-generation 450X stop completely, a quarter of a second faster than its predecessor . The rear tire profile is also wider than before.
Gen 3 450X Sports 110/80 Performance Tires MRF . have been co-developed with
Apart from this, buyers will also have the option of choosing a side step as an accessory which has been specially designed to compliment the overall design theme of the scooter.
Hardware upgrade:
The first major change in the Gen 3 450X is the upgraded battery pack which now boasts of 3.7kWh capacity which is higher than the 2.96kWh battery pack of the Gen 2. Ather says 3.24 kWh of this is usable capacity. The bigger battery capacity has increased the actual range of the 450X to 105km from the earlier 85km in Eco mode. Apart from this, other parameters such as top speed of 80 kmph, peak power of 6kW from PMSM motor and 0-100 per cent charging time of 5 hours 45 minutes remain the same as Gen 2. Fast charging times (up to 50 per cent) of 1.5 kmph are also unchanged.
Ather insists that simply throwing in a bigger battery and motor is not a permanent way to deal with the range anxiety issue that most first-time buyers have. Rather than customizing the scooter in every aspect, mass adoption is the key. A big battery, a vast network of Ather Grid, TPMS, accurate range prediction and a new riding algorithm called SmartEco Mode are what the company is counting on to win over first-time buyers.
The 2022 450X gets a bigger battery and extended range
Smart ECO Mode:
The Smart Eco Mode’s algorithm is developed based on Ather’s existing user usage data that has been collected over 218+ million kms, completed by Ather scooters since the launch of Gen 1 in 2020. It is dynamic in nature and changes the performance of the scooter. Depending on how you are riding to extract maximum efficiency. If you are riding hard, the SmartEco mode will reduce the power of the scooter to the maximum limit and similarly if you are riding in a spirited manner, it will open the tap for more power on demand. However, during our test ride, we found that the dynamic nature of SmartEco Mode can become an issue in some real-life situations. For example, when you need extra juice to perform an overtaking maneuver and the algorithm decides to reduce the power. Therefore, the SmartEco mode may be best for riding in low-speed situations where the environment is a bit more forgiving.
For our riding preferences, we found the ‘Ride’ mode to be sufficient. But if one has short and calculated travel, the ‘Sport’ or ‘Warp’ mode is where the scooter is fastest and the rider has maximum control. It should be noted that even in ‘Ride’ mode, the scooter offers an actual range of 85 km, which is a significant improvement from the older version. The introduction of Smart ECO does not mean that ECO Mode is out of the UI, it is still present but one has to select it from the internal setting menu accessed through the digital touchscreen UI.
Just like its dimensions, the 450X’s excellent riding dynamics remain the same and it’s still a fun scooter that pitches into corners while taking on speed in warp mode. The increased grip from the new tires now adds a little more confidence to the mix.
Ather Energy’s Latest Smart ECO Mode Algorithm
UI Upgrades:
The other area where the 450X has seen significant improvements is the 7-inch touchscreen console, which now has 16GB of memory space to store more apps, which is a huge jump from the 8GB of storage in earlier versions. Ather has upgraded the 450X’s Android OS system with 2GB of RAM for 2022. What it does, it allows the system to push more processing power toward other apps that used to be throttled due to the earlier model’s 1GB of RAM. Ather claims that everyday tasks are now 80 percent faster and Google Maps is much smoother than before.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):
Ather told us that in their research, they found that a 6 PSI drop in the 450X’s tire pressure could result in an 18 percent drop in overall range. Scooters operating at 24 psi instead of 30 psi will also require 20 percent more steering effort. To tackle this, Ather has now introduced TPMS system in its scooters. The TPMS system is anti-theft as it sits inside the rim, is accurate and provides alerts on both the mobile app and dashboard. Presently, the TPMS system is not a standard equipment but is available only as an additional accessory.
Accurate range prediction:
While the range predictions offered on the dashboard of the 450X scooter are purely mathematical, those offered by the Ather Energy mobile application are now much more accurate as they are based on your riding behaviour.
Gen 3 Ather 450X Launched at a Starting Price of Rs 1.55 Lakh (Ex-showroom Bengaluru)
worth:
Ather Energy has launched the Gen 3 450X electric scooter at a starting price of Rs 1.55 lakh (ex-showroom Bengaluru). Ex-showroom prices vary from state to state.
One might think that the third generation is not much to write home about. But we have to understand Ather’s mindset behind these small changes that bring significant benefits to the overall package without adding exorbitant costs to both the manufacturer and the customer. The company is committed to deliver consistent and reliable performance to the riders for a long period of time. They want their products to have value because they are always getting better features Through over-the-air OTA updates and do not become as obsolete as their petrol-powered counterparts. This strategy of customizing every aspect of the scooter as opposed to just throwing in bigger hardware makes Ather believe that the 450X and 450 Plus will continue to be regarded as a better product in the segment.
In short, when you buy an Ather scooter like today’s smart devices, you are also buying into their ecosystem. One that provides software support to the customers for years and keeps the scooter updated with new features. Certainly a democratic move towards e-mobility which aims at mass adoption. So let us know in the comment section below whether Ather will make it to your shortlist and why.
watch New 2022 Ather 450X just got expensive with bigger battery and new features!