TVS NTORQ review: Socialise as the thrill unleashes

NEW DELHI:

TVS NTORQ

, a brutal racing scooter in the premium category with peppy features, sets heart racing on the first look. Priced at Rs 59,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and accessorized with state-of-art

racing traits

, TVS has sold over one lakh NTORQ within six months of its launch in February 2018.


How does it look

The upbeat looking front and rear end aspects of the 125-cc scooter lend it a dashing pose. Especially, the aggressive front cluster and batwing-styled daytime running lights attract eyeballs wherever it zips through. Extra muscular cuts below the front cluster and split type rear fender on NTORQ's stealth aircraft-inspired build give it an edge in terms of looks over its competitors.

What furnishes an extra appeal is the prominent use of the 3D NTORQ logo several times across the body along with the signature T-lamp on the rear half. The sporty grab rail is split and makes way for an external fuel inlet. The short and thick muffler adds on to the muscle. With matte and metallic colour options to choose from, TVS has provided five colour variants - red. white, yellow, grey and blue.



Features that set NTORQ apart

A fully digital dashboard with interactive options provides an exclusive feel to the rider. TVS NTORQ app available on Google Play store - part of the company's

SmartXonnect technology

- is developed with a simple idea that you remain connected always, whether travelling or not. Once the app is downloaded and synced with the scooter, a personalized message on the digital display greets you and the mobile clock reflects on the top corner.

The app enables the rider to socialize and stay updated. One can share the ride statistics on social media platforms. Also, SMSes and call notifications can be viewed on the speedometer, with the SMS auto-reply option. While the app helps you in navigating through the city, phone battery and network indication are also shown on the dashboard.

The speedometer, which resembles a gaming console, fascinates the riders, especially the youth. The widely-used street mode can be considered an easy-going version while the NTORQ jumps on to the ready to take on version in sports mode. The rider can take a note of the stats at the end of each ride on the sports mode -- with top speed, distance covered in the form of laps and time taken to complete the trip -- appearing on the dashboard.




What pulls this TVS mini-racing cart

At the heart of the smart scooter sits a three-valve CVTi revv engine with 124.79 cc displacement. The single cylinder, air-cooled engine churns out a formidable power of 9.4ps at 7,500rpm and maximum torque of 10.5Nm at 5,500rpm. It rolls smoothly at lower speed range and vibrations tend to kick in once the 70kmph mark is crossed. The top speed of 95 kmph is relatively easy to attain on highways and empty stretches. NTORQ has a fairly linear pickup with the speedometer clocking 60kmph in about eight seconds from start.

The fuel tank comes with a capacity of five litres, while the mileage remains a major concern. On highways, NTORQ offers nearly 45-47 kmpl while 40-42 kmpl on the city roads, which surely pinches the owners. The fuel consumption indicator on the dashboard constantly reminds the rider whether the scooter is running on economic or power mode.

How does the eye-catcher fare on the streets

NTORQ takes little room for reasonable twists and turns in busy city traffic. However, the rider may feel some wobbliness while steering through congestion at very low speed. On the highways, the 12-inch chunky and tubeless tires supply firm grip at greater speeds and sharp bends. Having a kerb weight of 116 kg, riders of all age groups are certain of managing it.

The gas-filled hydraulic type coil spring

shock absorber

on the rear end is inarguably more dependable than the telescopic suspension blocked on the front wheel. However, when the NTORQ duels at greater speeds the 220mm front

disc brake

provide assurance over drum brakes fitted on the rear half. NTORQ has both kick and self start options apart from the kill the engine switch provided in the instrument cluster.

The sitting position is upright on the smooth-textured seat. The overall height of the scooter is 1,160mm with a ground clearance of 155mm. NTORQ, touted to be racing scooter, is likely to worry riders over 6-foot tall due to relative crunch in space for the footrest.


How much extra space is on offer

Boot space of 21 litres is provided under the seat. To take the scooter's enhancements a step ahead, TVS has provided USB charging point and an LED light in the boot. In an attempt to expand the storage facility, the rider may choose to use the knuckle provided in the front to hang items in between the legs.


Does it appeal over its competitors

NTORQ's price is pegged on a similar note to that of its competitors -

Honda Grazia

(starts Rs 58,500 for ex-showroom, Delhi) and

Suzuki Burgman Street

(starts Rs 68,500 for ex-showroom Delhi). According to our take on TVS NTORQ, it surely fares noticeably above its competitors in terms of styling and manoeuvrability but lacks a few clicks in terms of pace against the Suzuki Burgman Street. Moreover, TVS NTORQ app unavailable for other than Android users is another major setback that the scooter needs to deal with.