Six years after launching its maiden product, Ather Energy has introduced its second scooter, the Ather Rizta. Aimed at winning the hearts of Indian families, the Rizta promises to be a game-changer. Does it have the right ingredients to make it a winner?
Ather Rizta: Design and Styling
Ather’s journey began with the sleek and purposeful 450X. However, the Rizta, which has been in development for over two years, represents Ather’s vision of an electric scooter for the average Indian family. The Rizta boasts a unique visual identity, which is a positive departure from its predecessors. While it might not be as compact and edgy as the 450 series, the Rizta proves that a family scooter can look stylish and engaging.
The horizontal headlight cluster, though conventional, adds depth with its frosted-effect DRLs. The scooter may appear slightly bulky in profile, but the wraparound tail light and contrasting white patch on the side panel break the monotony. Dual-tone paint schemes make the Rizta stand out, making it look cooler than competitors like the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, and Ola S1 Air.
Ather Rizta: Comfort and Ergonomics
Swinging a leg over the Rizta reveals a familiar and comfortable space. The dash resembles what we’ve seen on the 450 series, with similar switches and controls. The grips feel high-quality but slightly short of the Bajaj Chetak Premium’s excellence. The Rizta’s seat height is 780 mm, and the footboard is spacious, accommodating two adults comfortably. Even with a pillion and some luggage, the riding position remains comfortable, thanks to the roomy 900 mm-long seat.
Underseat storage offers 34 liters, neatly sectioned into two compartments, with a boot light and power outlet. While the base Rizta lacks a pillion backrest, the Pro pack includes this useful addition. The scooter also features bag hooks, although a flat base for the storage would enhance practicality.
Ather Rizta: Features and Technology
The Rizta incorporates innovative features previously seen only on the 450 Apex. Magic Twist allows riders to stop by applying negative throttle input, and Skid Control prevents rear wheel slipping on low-traction surfaces. However, these features are exclusive to the Rizta Z variants and require the Pro pack.
The Rizta’s 7.0-inch TFT screen lacks touch functionality, which is puzzling. Unlike the 450X, which boasts a touch-operated screen, the Rizta relies on a joystick on the left cube for control. This decision aims to reduce costs and offer simplicity to family scooter buyers. However, navigating through multiple layers to reach desired options feels cumbersome. Additionally, the screen was laggy during tests, but Ather promises to fix this in customer units. Ather may add touchscreen functionality later, but early buyers might not appreciate this delayed feature.
Ather Rizta: Performance, Ride, and Handling
The Rizta shares a similar motor setup with the 450 series and retains part-aluminum construction, keeping its weight at 119 kg. The larger, tubular rear subframe distinguishes it. Despite being a family scooter, the Rizta maintains Ather’s performance DNA. The scooter’s peak output of 4.3 kW feels adequate but not thrilling. It handles well, offering great grip in corners and confidence at higher speeds. However, it lacks the power enthusiasts might expect, reminding riders that it prioritizes family utility.
The Rizta offers two ride modes: Zip and SmartEco. Zip mode allows a top speed of 80 kmph. The Pro pack includes SmartEco mode, promising higher range for reduced performance. However, SmartEco aggressively throttles performance at lower states of charge, which can feel risky. The difference in range between the two modes seems minimal, making Zip mode the preferred choice.
Ather Rizta: Battery and Range
The Rizta comes with two battery options: a 2.9 kWh unit and a 3.7 kWh unit. The 2.9 kWh model, which Ather believes will be the sweet spot, showed limited range during tests. The Rizta’s battery drained from 78% to 6% charge over just under 50 kilometers. Ather claims the Rizta should manage 85 kilometers in Zip mode under real-world conditions. For charging, Ather provides a 350-watt charger for the 2.9 kWh models and a 700-watt Duo charger for the 3.7 kWh model.
Ather Rizta: Verdict
The Ather Rizta impresses with its design, comfort, and innovative features. The large seat ensures comfortable two-up riding, and the scooter feels well-built. However, the laggy screen and lack of touch functionality are notable drawbacks. Pricing also raises concerns. The Rizta starts at Rs 1.10 lakh, rising to Rs 1.25 lakh for the Z 2.9 kWh variant, and Rs 1.45 lakh for the Z 3.7 kWh variant. Adding the Pro pack increases prices by Rs 15,000-20,000, narrowing the gap with the 450X.
The Rizta faces stiff competition from established family electric scooters like the TVS iQube, which offers a 7.0-inch touch screen at a similar price. Despite its likeable qualities, the Rizta must prove itself in a competitive market. Ather’s challenge lies in balancing innovation with practicality, appealing to both enthusiasts and average Indian families. The Rizta has the potential to succeed, but it will undoubtedly face a tough battle ahead. Read more All-Electric Skoda Elroq SUV Teased Ahead Of Autumn 2024 Debut
Source https://www.carandbike.com/
