After what seems like a long wait peppered with multiple teasers, Ather has finally launched the 450 Apex at Rs 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom). The 450 Apex is meant to be the pinnacle of how far the current platform can be pushed within safe thermodynamic limits.
The 450 Apex uses the same 3.7kWh battery pack as the 450X but claimed IDC range has gone up to 157km, due to the new regenerative braking system. On the 450 Apex you can twist the accelerator 15 degrees backward to slow down the e-scooter without having to touch the brakes, a feature cleverly named ‘Magic Twist’.
The motor on the 450 Apex is rated for 7kW of peak power and this e-scooter is the only one in Ather’s lineup to get the Warp+ mode. In Warp+, the company claims a 0-40kph time of just 2.9s and quicker 40-80kph times compared to the 450X. Moreover, the 450 Apex is the only Ather EV that can touch a claimed 100kph in this quickest mode.
Since the 450 Apex is based on the 450 platform, the seat height, wheelbase, tyre sizes and ground clearance have remained unchanged over the 450X. Although the Apex does debut the new enclosed belt drive system which will soon be on all Ather models going forward but you cannot retrofit it to current ones.
Design-wise, while the overall look is the same, the 450 Apex gets a special Indium blue colour for its body panels and the rear one is transparent which shows off the chassis finished in a bright orange colour.
At Rs 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom, xx), the Ather 450 Apex is Rs 21,000 more than the top-spec 450X with the 3.7kWh battery and Pro pack. This undoubtedly makes it a pricey proposition but in co-founder Tarun Mehta’s own words, this is not really commercially targeted, but more of a passion project. Production of the 450 Apex will be limited as per demand and Ather plans to manufacture the Apex up to October 2024 only. Bookings open today and deliveries of this flagship Ather are slated to commence in March 2024.