TVS Orbiter Launched: Key Highlights

TVS expanded its electric two-wheeler portfolio by launching the new TVS Orbiter. It’s the third EV offering from the brand after the iQube and the X. The Orbiter is positioned slightly above the iQube, but is more of a modern-looking, easy-to-ride electric scooter, unlike the iQube, which is a proper family scooter and offers multiple variants. Here are its key highlights:

Design

The design of the Orbiter is fresh, and it doesn’t look like any other TVS scooter. TVS designers have gone for a very modern and minimalist styling. It gets handlebar-mounted LED headlights and a tall windscreen, whereas the LED DRL on the apron looks sleek. In profile, the design elements of the Orbiter shine through, and the silhouette of the scooter is very modern with curved panels and straight lines. The minimalist theme continues to the rear as well with a wrap-around taillight, which appears very familiar to the Ather Rizta. TVS claims the Orbiter styling was done keeping in mind aerodynamics, and it has contributed to extracting more range. 

TVS is offering the Orbiter with the choice of six colour options – Neon Sunburst, Stratos Blue, Lunar Grey, Stellar Silver, Cosmic Titanium, and Martian Copper. 

Performance

The Orbiter isn’t very performance-oriented as it is more of an urban commuter. It can be clearly seen in its performance numbers for it takes 6.8 seconds to clock 0-40 kmph.

The motor's peak power output is just 2.5 kW, almost half that of the iQube S. Even the top speed is very low, at just 68 kmph, and there are two riding modes—Eco and City. Also, the scooter runs on a 14/12-inch alloy wheel setup, which should ideally make it feel very agile, but it doesn’t get a disc brake, even as an option.

Range & Charging

The TVS Orbiter has a claimed IDC range of 158 km. While the range is good, the charging time is as slow as its performance. 0-80% battery charging will take 4 hr and 10 mins, while we aren’t sure whether you get a portable charger or not. 

Features

The Orbiter gets a colour LCD instrument console instead of the TFT unit as seen on the iQube. It comes loaded with features such as turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for call and message alerts, range, battery status and more. Other notable features on the new scooter include - cruise control, hill hold, SOS for crash, motor cut off during fall, live location, geo-fencing and OTA updates. So, as you can see with respect to features, the Orbiter comes loaded. 

Pricing

The Orbiter is only available in one variant and is priced at ₹1 lakh, thereby undercutting the base TVS iQube by ₹10,000. The Orbiter is a proper city commuter and offers you great range which is its USP and the futuristic styling will make it stand apart. Even with respect to features, the scooter is impressive. But then again performance is slow, charging time is high and the fact that it doesn’t even get disc brakes as an option means there are some loose ends.