When I Took the Futuristic TVS NTorq for a Test Ride on the Track

When compared to a Honda Activa or Suzuki Access, the TVS Ntorq does manage to provide a bunch of extra features.

The brand new TVS Ntorq took me by surprise.

(Photo: The Quint)

Riding the brand new Ntorq at the TVS racing track in Hosur was indeed a gratifying experience. The sleek and flamboyant look of the 125cc vehicle made me want to swing my leg over it, turn the accelerator and feel the wind in my hair – which is exactly what I did.

I didn’t come to realise that I hit a speed of 89 kmph on the track.(Photo: Screenshot/The Quint)

I felt a bit of a stutter while accelerating from 0 to 60. Though TVS says that the scooter can hit 60 kmph in 9 seconds, it didn’t feel so. But, once I gained momentum, and touched 40 kmph, the ride became effortless. As I let myself loose, I didn’t come to realise that I hit a speed of 89 kmph on the track.

The NTorq has a 125cc engine that puts out 9 bhp of power. That's about half a horse more than its immediate competition. It runs on a CVTi-REVV transmission (constantly variable transmission). The most common 125cc scooters in the Indian market like the Honda Activa, Suzuki Access and Mahindra Gusto churn out no more than 8.5 bhp.

TVS claims the NTorq can go from 0-60 kmph in 9 seconds. 

Braking felt confident with disc brakes up front and a drum brake at the rear. 

As I went further ahead on the track and took a turn, I was a little unsure of how stable it would be. But, thanks to the meaty 12-inch tubeless tyres and twin shock absorbers, I managed to pull it off with adequate grip. At no point in time did I get a sense of losing control since the tyres held up well to acceleration, steering and braking. However, I kept slipping off from the seat and wished it was a bit more comfortable.

I could feel the power transmit smoothly from the 9bhp engine through the CVTi-REVV transmission.

The seat did not provide the grip and comfort I expected. 

As I reached the fag end of the track during my last lap, I was yearning for more. I then stopped to take a closer look at the distinct features of the TVS Ntorq. I had been riding this scooter in ‘Sport Mode’. This can be switched to ‘Street Mode’ while manoeuvring bottlenecks on the road. That's a useful feature for city traffic.

The street mode on display.

The sport mode on display.

The icing on the cake was the one-of-a-kind digital console of the scooter. Once connected with a phone via Bluetooth, the LCD screen can display a range of information like SMS alerts, caller ID and so on. Even otherwise, details of battery and fuel levels, average speed, engine oil temperature are flashed on the screen. 

The most enthralling feature according to me was obtaining the trail of ride statistics. This can be put on view once the system is synced to the TVS app on the phone.

The turn indicators are neatly integrated into the handle bar cowl. 

The T-shaped LED tail-lamp on the NTorq.

Being a person who tends to whizz down the road, I was delighted to know that the system allows you to set a speed limit to prevent over-speeding.

The striking dual colour of the NTorq caught my attention. The design and styling will appeal to youngsters, especially with features like the diamond-cut alloy wheels and LED lights. Personally, I didn't quite like the look from the front as large headlight takes up a lot of space and makes it rather bulky.

Also read: TVS Ntorq 125cc Scooter: Sporty, Powerful & Comes with Bluetooth!

The dual-tone colour scheme looks sporty and will appeal to young buyers.

The headlight adds a lot of bulk to the otherwise sleek design of the NTorq.

When compared to an Activa or Access, the Ntorq does manage to provide a whole bunch of features in terms of the upgraded technology and Smart-Konnect feature. Small things like an external fuel cap add to convenience. All things considered, the price tag of Rs. 58,750 seems fair especially when compared to its competition.

(The Quint, in association with BitGiving, has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an 8-month-old who was raped in Delhi on 28 January 2018. The baby girl, who we will refer to as 'Chhutki', was allegedly raped by her 28-year-old cousin when her parents were away. She has been discharged from AIIMS hospital after undergoing three surgeries, but needs more medical treatment in order to heal completely. Her parents hail from a low-income group and have stopped going to work so that they can take care of the baby. You can help cover Chhutki's medical expenses and secure her future. Every little bit counts. Click here to donate.)