TVS iQube ST 5.1 kWh In CarToq's Ride Review: Delivers On Most Claims
The TVS iQube ST stands out with its large 5.1 kWh battery pack. The latest iteration of the ST was launched in India in May last year. It replaces the previous 3.4 kWh version and claims a range of 150 km per charge. To get a taste of the largest battery in the entire electric scooter space, we lived with the iQube ST 5.1 kWh for a week.
Design
The new iQube ST is available in three colours- Copper Bronze matte, Titanium Grey Matte and Starlight Blue glossy. In its design, the ST looks almost the same as the regular iQube with identical proportions and design cues. You can, however, see exclusive 'ST' decals on the body panels. We particularly like how the rearview mirrors have been designed. These offer a great view of whatever's following the scooter.
It comes with a complete LED lighting setup- the headlamps, tail lamps, indicators, number plate lamp and signature position lamp come with LED units. There is even an illuminating logo on offer. Even the visor is slightly larger than what you'd find on a regular iQube.
The seat is large and two people can sit comfortably. There is ample room in the under-seat storage area- 32 litres. It can accommodate two half-face helmets. The under-seat compartment also has a lamp inside for added convenience.
Features
In terms of features, the iQube ST 5.1 kWh gets a 7-inch TFT display. It has a resolution of 800x480 pixels and can be controlled through touch and using the joystick that sits on the left side of the handlebar. This screen is claimed to offer a brightness of up to 1000 lux and in real-world conditions, it isn't any difficult to read from it.
The console also offers features like digital document storage, voice commands and connected services. Day/ Night modes can be switched manually or automatically to optimize readability further. TVS has also given this scooter a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for added safety. There is also a USB charger for your smartphones. Like its predecessor, the iQube ST gets an electric parking assist.
Specifications
The iQube ST is based on a tubular frame and gets telescopic front forks and adjustable hydraulic twin shocks at the rear. The wheelbase stands at 1301 mm. Braking is handled by 220 mm disc at the front and a rear drum.
The scooter gets a 5.1 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack. This happens to be the biggest battery in business. Even the Ola's battery is smaller than this. It has a modular design, and comprises three interconnected units, 1.7 kWh each. 0-80% charging takes 4 hours and 18 minutes using the off-board charger.
The iQube ST gets a hub-mounted electric motor that generates a peak power of 4.4 kW (6hp) and a maximum torque of 140 Nm. The rated output of this motor is 3 kW (4hp). 0-40 kph acceleration is done in 4.5 seconds. The top speed is 82 kph (in power mode). In Eco mode, the top speed is 52 kph.
Riding Impressions And Range
The iQube ST feels good to ride. There is ample space and comfort on offer for both the rider and the pillion. The acceleration is enjoyable in the 'power' mode. In the 'Eco' mode, the performance is mature and the scooter feels practical to ride. The brakes give the rider ample confidence and the ride quality is decent too.
Now let's come to the range. TVS claims a peak range of 150 km per charge. You will, however, get this only if you ride efficiently in the Eco mode. Should you choose to ride in Power mode, the range drops to 110 km per charge. This scooter delivers on its range claims. The charge consumption feels quite optimized.
Price
The TVS iQube ST 5.1 kWh has an ex-showroom price of 2.07 lakh rupees- obviously not cheap by any standard. You can consider this scooter if you are looking for a family electric scooter that returns good range figures.