TVS NTorq 150 debuts as India's first hyper sport scooter, undercuts bigger rivals

TVS NTorq 150 debuts as India's first hyper sport scooter, undercuts bigger rivals

India’s first ‘hyper sport’ scooter is here

India’s volume scooter market rarely gets truly fast, tech-heavy machines. TVS just tried to change that. The company has launched the TVS NTorq 150 at Rs 1.19 lakh for the base variant and Rs 1.29 lakh for the top-spec model (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), calling it the country’s first “hyper sport” scooter. It’s the most powerful TVS scooter yet and is priced to shake up the 150cc+ corner that Yamaha and Hero have been eyeing.

The headline numbers tell you what TVS is going for: a newly developed 149.7cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine with a three-valve head and the brand’s O3C tech. Output stands at 13.2 PS at 7,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm at 5,500 rpm—an increase of a little over 3 PS and 3.3 Nm versus the NTorq 125. TVS claims 0–60 kmph in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 104 kmph, which puts it in motorcycle-lite territory for city sprints.

The platform is familiar but not unchanged. TVS keeps the proven NTorq 125 chassis but retunes the suspension. There’s a telescopic fork up front, a monoshock at the rear, and revised spring rates and damping aimed at sharper handling without killing day-to-day comfort. At 115 kg kerb, it’s relatively light for the segment, which should help with both take-off and braking.

Braking hardware pairs a front disc with a rear drum. Single-channel ABS is standard, and TVS goes further with traction control—rare on Indian scooters at this price. Two riding modes, Street and Race, adjust throttle response and electronics to suit traffic or open stretches. It’s a clear push to make the scooter feel more like a small sport machine than a commuter with flashy plastics.

Design is a big part of the pitch. While the base bones trace back to the NTorq 125, the 150 gets a more aggressive face with quad LED projector headlights and distinct DRLs. The tail is split, the panels are tighter and busier, and the whole thing looks like it was sketched to turn heads at a traffic light. The 12-inch wheels at both ends keep it compact and agile, which matters in tight city gaps.

Tech is where TVS tries to outdo not just its own lineup but also rivals priced higher. The base variant gets a hybrid LCD + TFT cluster. The top-spec swaps it for a full TFT console with over 50 connected features via TVS SmartXonnect. Bluetooth pairing unlocks call/SMS alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, music control, and even Alexa integration. The premium variant also supports OTA updates and uses a four-button controller on the left switchgear to move through menus without taking your gloves off.

Beyond connectivity, safety and performance readouts get attention. There’s a high-speed alert, a top-speed recorder for those who like numbers, and a traction control status display. Adjustable brake levers are a welcome segment-first for fine-tuning reach. Riders who share a scooter—or switch between gloves—will get real benefit from that small detail.

Practicality hasn’t been ignored. You get 22 liters of underseat storage—large enough for a half-face helmet—and a 2-liter glove box in the apron for quick-grab items. A USB charging port is standard. TVS’s iGO Assist and central locking aim to reduce everyday friction, and the dash covers the basics cleanly: speedo, tacho, fuel, tripmeters, and odometer in clean, readable fonts.

On paper, the NTorq 150’s setup looks balanced for Indian roads: enough power to feel brisk, electronics to keep things tidy, and components that won’t scare off new riders. The traction control should be handy when it’s wet or you hit dust mid-corner. The two modes will likely help stretch range in daily use while still keeping fun on tap when you head out early on a Sunday.

Where it fits—and who should care

The NTorq 150 lines up against bigger names: Yamaha’s Aerox 155 and Hero’s Xoom 160. Yamaha leans on its performance legacy with a high-revving setup and a sporty frame; Hero has been teasing a larger-capacity scooter with an adventure-leaning stance. TVS is taking the value route: strong performance, tech-heavy features, and a price that undercuts typical 150–160cc rivals on showroom floors.

That pricing matters. Premium scooters in India tend to climb fast once you add features like full TFTs, connected dashboards, and safety electronics. TVS has packed in ABS, traction control, riding modes, deep storage, and comprehensive connectivity while keeping the sticker at Rs 1.19–1.29 lakh in Bengaluru. Expect the ex-showroom number to vary by city, but the positioning is clear: make performance and tech accessible.

Against the Yamaha Aerox 155, the NTorq 150 won’t win a spec-sheet drag race on outright power. But TVS fights back with price, storage, and tech density—including adjustable levers and built-in traction control as standard. For buyers who want a sporty scooter that can haul daily stuff without compromise, that mix is compelling.

Versus Hero’s Xoom 160, the battle is about timing and execution. Hero has been building interest with a larger-capacity scooter pitch, but availability, pricing, and final spec decide how strong that story is. TVS, with NTorq’s two-million-plus rider base, opens with scale and a familiar service network, which helps new tech settle faster in the real world.

Ride experience will come down to tuning. The NTorq 150’s 12-inch wheels should make it agile in traffic. The revised suspension will need to prove that it can handle broken city tarmac without feeling harsh. Braking feel—disc at the front and drum at the rear—will be another point riders will judge quickly in test rides. If TVS has nailed lever feel and ABS calibration, confidence will be high right away.

The design looks built for Gen Z and younger buyers—lots of angles, sharp lighting signatures, and a dash that behaves like a phone. That said, the basics remain sensible. The seat height and floorboard look friendly for daily use, the weight is manageable, and the underseat bay actually fits real things beyond a raincoat and a cable. It’s not a style-first scooter that forgets you have to live with it.

Connectivity could be a deciding factor for many. Turn-by-turn navigation is a must-have now that most riders rely on phones for maps. Music and call control are nice-to-haves, but alerts that play well with gloves and helmets matter more. The four-button controller should help you keep eyes up. OTA updates are a bonus—a way for TVS to tweak features or fix bugs without a workshop visit.

TVS is also using this launch to push its scooter identity beyond commuting. Company leaders say the NTorq 150’s character comes from what they learned from existing riders, many of whom treat the NTorq 125 like a mini street machine. The new 150 leans into that with proper electronics and a clear performance claim, rather than just a bigger engine and louder decals.

What should buyers watch for in the first rides and reviews? Real-world fuel efficiency with Street vs Race modes, how hot the engine gets in slow traffic, and whether traction control steps in smoothly on patchy monsoon roads. Also check if the throttle mapping feels crisp off the line or builds power progressively—this matters for quick overtakes between 30–60 kmph where scooters live most of the time.

Ownership basics look sorted. TVS’s dealer and service spread is one of the widest in the country, which keeps maintenance predictable. Connected features and OTA updates will need good app support and reliable pairing; this is an area where software polish can make or break daily UX. Expect TVS to push app updates as rider feedback rolls in.

On the whole, this is TVS planting a flag in the premium scooter space with a different playbook: aggressive tech, practical storage, and pricing that bites. If you wanted a sporty scooter but didn’t want to spend north of typical 150–160cc money, this is the shortlist entry. If you’re after maximum peak power, you’ll still want to compare back-to-back with a performance-first rival. Either way, the NTorq 150 forces that test ride.

Key numbers at a glance:

  • 149.7cc, air-cooled, 3-valve single with O3C tech
  • 13.2 PS at 7,000 rpm; 14.2 Nm at 5,500 rpm
  • Claimed 0–60 kmph in 6.3s; top speed 104 kmph
  • Single-channel ABS, traction control; Street and Race modes
  • Hybrid LCD + TFT (base) or full TFT (top variant); 50+ connected features
  • OTA updates and Alexa integration on the premium variant
  • 22L underseat storage; 2L apron glove box; USB charging
  • 12-inch wheels; front disc, rear drum
  • Kerb weight: 115 kg; fuel tank: 5.8 liters
  • Ex-showroom (Bengaluru): Rs 1.19 lakh–1.29 lakh

For now, the NTorq 150 looks like the most affordable ticket into the 150cc performance-scooter club in India, without cutting out the features that make these machines feel special. Yamaha and Hero have reasons to watch this closely—so do riders who have been waiting for a real step up from 125cc without flipping to a motorcycle.