CHARIZZMATIC ENERGY

The trusty old Ntorq has been blessed with a bigger, badder 150-cc engine. But will TVS' most powerful scooter yet be able to rizz up the GenZ riders and draw them into its fold?

- Story: Abhisu Poddar Photography: Kalidas M

THE “SPORTY SCOOTER” GENRE has only recently seen a rise in demand, with sales charts showing a northward trend every financial year. Naturally, every manufacturer now wants a piece of the action, while the youngsters demand a scooter that’s fast yet efficient, nimble yet stable, masculine yet unisex—in short, a bit of everything, just like the generation they belong to. TVS has had the formula locked down, with the Ntorq 125 topping sales charts consistently since 2022. But with bigger boots to fill, it was time for the Ntorq to grow bigger legs too.

TVS has done just that with the new Ntorq 150. Targeting newly employed youngsters who have outgrown their faithful college chariot (read Ntorq 125), the designers at TVS have tried their best to make it visually distinct from its sibling despite sharing the same chassis and main frame. Inspired by the Graphite concept and “stealth aircraft” design, the arrowhead-shaped apron houses a quad LED projector headlamp cluster. The daytime running lights (DRL) and indicators share the same unit, flanked by small winglets which, TVS claims, add aerodynamic weight at the front. Loud and energetic colour schemes complete the package, though the design may divide opinion.

The newly developed air-cooled, three-valve, 149.7-cc engine produces 13 hp at 7,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Essentially an expanded 125-cc mill, it has also gained a lightweight crankshaft and oil-cooler. You can choose to put this newfound power down via two ride modes: Street mode enables idle start-stop, while Race mode uses the iGO assist micro-hybrid system to provide an electric boost on acceleration. Power is channelled to the rear wheel via a belt-drive continuously variable transmission (CVT), with traction control and a single-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) aiding safety.