For years, the TVS Ntorq 125 has been the go-to scooter for those seeking practicality with a dash of sportiness. It carved a niche for itself by being fun without being overbearing, and that formula has worked well for TVS. But it has been around for nearly 7 years now, and the Ntorq really needed a shot in the arm. That is where the TVS Ntorq 150 comes in, and after riding it on TVS’ test track in Hosur, here is our review. 

The idea of Ntorq 150 is not just to renew the idea of Ntorq. It is a response to the evolving scooter market in India. People are expecting bigger engines, more power, more presence, and all of that without sacrificing the practicality. In the Ntorq 150’s case, we can add familiarity as well. 

Looks

The new TVS Ntorq 150, in terms of its design, is bold. It has some familiar cues that point to it being an Ntorq, but all of Ntorq 125’s edginess has been dialled to 11 in the case of the Ntorq 150. It is a looker and that is without question! TVS has given it four striking colour options, and none of them are subtle. 

Now, whether it’s the split LED projector headlamp, the angry-brow DRLs that double as indicators, the wings, or the tail that, in addition to a beautiful taillamp, carries the thruster/afterburner aesthetic made popular by the Ntorq 125… the Ntorq 150 screams intent… a sporty intent. 

The silhouette is aggressive and muscular, the cuts and creases add to the visual drama and even at a standstill, it conveys the idea of motion… rapid motion, to be more precise. Now, since looks are subjective, it might not be to everyone’s taste, but the one thing that is an assurance with the Ntroq 150 is that its presence is unmissable. 

Quality levels are impressive as well. The glossy paint finish, tactile switchgear, and tight panel gaps show that TVS has paid attention. We especially loved the handlebar, which is a separate proper handlebar along with the switchgear that screams premium (and it should, since it seems more than inspired by the TVS 310s). 

Engine

At the heart of the Ntorq 150 is a 149.7cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, delivering an impressive 13 horses and 14.2 Nm of torque. The torque number includes 0.7 Nm extra delivered by the iGo boost, a feature we saw and loved on the new Jupiter. 

TVS claims the scooter would go from 0-60 km/h in just 6.3s and onto a top speed of 104 kays an hour. For the acceleration, we can say it felt as quick as the claim, if not more. In terms of top speed, we even saw 107 km/h on the straight of TVS’ test track. 

The engine is not entirely new. It is the 125 engine with a bigger bore and stroke. But along with that, TVS has made many internal changes for heat management and refinement. Nerdy stuff aside, the Ntorq 150 does well even without liquid-cooling and feels as refined as the 125 if not more. 

In the real world, the Ntorq feels lively and punchy. The torque kicks in quick, and while it may not feel a lot faster than the 125 (even when it is), it sure as heck feels quicker. It gets to 60s, 70s, and 80s quicker and feels less stressed at those speeds compared to the 125. 

In the Race mode, the iGo assist augments that acceleration further. Though we wish it existed in the Street mode as well. Also, in Street Mode, the Ntorq 150 has tamer power output and delivery. For the most part, we believe that most people would stick to the Race mode for the fun it delivers, but Street mode should be useful when you are looking for more kilometres per litre of petrol. 

Another thing we have come to associate with the Ntorq is the sound. With the Ntorq 150, the theatre of the exhaust note is still there. It sounds throaty and dense, which alone should make it an instant hit among the prospective buyers. Overall, in terms of engine performance, the Ntorq 150 brings the same ease, liveliness, and pep that we love about the 125 but with extra oomph. 

Ergonomics

In terms of ergonomics, the Ntorq 150 feels quite familiar. It is spacious, the riding stance is upright, and the seat is mighty comfortable. But you will notice the wider handlebars and a slightly more commanding position as you hop on the Ntorq 150. 

While the space makes it accommodating for taller riders, the 770mm seat height makes the Ntorq 150 approachable for shorter riders as well. Overall, the Ntorq 150 feels like a comfortable and approachable scooter that would do as well in the streets as it would on the highways. 

Handling

Now, handling. With a scooter that looks like the Ntorq 150 does, one expects it to be a hoot around the corners as well. And it is. It felt even better than the Ntorq 125 did, but it could be just the sense of occasion that comes with the more powerful engine. 

The fourth collaboration between xBhp and Axor brings to you the xBhp-Axor Bionic helmet. Based on the tried and tested Axor Apex platform, the helmet promises top-notch safety, comfort, and style that is augmented by the graphics symbolizing the connection between man and machine, the bond of flesh and metal that this helmet brings to life everytime you take your beloved machine out for a ride.

The familiarity has a reason. It is based on the same frame as the 125 but reinforced to contain the extra performance. The suspension has been tweaked, but it feels quite similar to the 125’s in the sense that it is not harsh. The ride quality is still plush, and yet, on the long, flowing corner of TVS’ test track, it felt planted. 

The amount of confidence it inspires is such that you might end up scraping the floorboard if you get too carried away. The ride quality is very balanced in this regard. Soft and supportive but taut enough to deal with some amount of spirited riding. 

We loved the brakes as well. There is single-channel ABS that is not too intrusive, and the bite and progression are bankable. The Ntorq 150 also gets traction control. One might question its existence on a scooter, but you never know when you find an oil spill on the road… or half-dried but slippery slush… or tons of gravel. So, as a safety feature, it is a nifty add-on. 

Features

Now, in addition to the stellar engine, comfortable ergonomics, and dependable handling… another staple of TVS products nowadays is tech. And the Ntorq 150 is loaded in that regard. The Ntorq 150, in addition to Bluetooth-based goodies like navigation, call and message alerts, and music controls, also offers Alexa integration, smartwatch pairing, geo-fencing, and more. And we loved the brilliant TFT on offer on the top variant. 

Now, we only rode the TVS Ntorq 150 on the racetrack and that too, not for a very long time. But even with our short stint, we can tell that the Ntorq 150 is going to be a banger. It manages to balance performance with comfort, which should make it equally fun in the city and friendly on longer commutes. It is fast, flashy, and loaded with features. 

Verdict

That said, it all comes down to the price. And at INR 1.15 (1.25 for the top variant) (Ex-showroom), we believe TVS has nailed this part as well. It undercuts its competition by a decent margin. Some might argue that TVS could have gone with liquid-cooling. We say it isn’t needed here. 

Some might say that it could have had bigger wheels. TVS says that it kept it the same to keep the dynamics similar to the Ntorq 125. And we agree. We would have missed the flickability and the fact that these scooters can turn on a dime. 

Ultimately, at the asking price, the Ntorq 150 is quite the masterstroke, and we are sure that it is going to further swell the number of Ntorqs on the roads. So if you are out in the market for a premium scooter, the Ntorq 150 deserves, no, it commands serious consideration. 

That concludes our first ride review of the TVS Ntorq 150. Here are some more photos from the ride for you to enjoy…