TVS Ntorq 125 vs rivals: Specifications comparison

The latest entrant to the 125cc scooter segment is the TVS Ntorq. Going by the styling and performance, there is no doubt the bike maker is looking to grab a share of this segment. At present, Honda is the segment leader with its latest introduction, the Grazia, and the well-known Activa 125. Following Honda in the 125cc segment is Suzuki with its Access 125. There is the new Aprilia SR125 and a couple of 125cc Vespa models as well, but these are priced higher and are limited in terms of sales and support. This leaves us with the new TVS, the Access 125 and the Grazia which is basically a better-equipped Activa.

Styling and tech
In the 125cc scooter segment, looks matter and TVS knows this well. With the Ntorq, the bike maker has gone for an approach similar to the one Honda took with the Grazia. It has contemporary and sporty styling but unlike the Grazia, it can be had in bright colours like yellow and lime green. The instrument cluster on the TVS is considerably more advanced than its competition; the screen features Bluetooth connectivity and can display information like engine oil temperature, average speed, navigation. It can also display information like incoming calls and SMS and phone signal strength.

The Grazia, on the other hand, definitely begs for bright, bold colours because its design is contemporary and reasonably aggressive. The scooter looks like a facelifted Dio and that’s not a bad thing. The LED headlight (a first amongst scooters) is designed well and the sharp lines all around give away its sporty intentions. Further adding to its appeal is the fully digital instrument cluster; it is the only scooter in India with an rpm gauge.

With the Access 125, Suzuki has clearly gone with the 'safe and solid' school of thought. It gets a chrome-bezel that sits neatly around its trapezoidal headlight. Adding to its retro appeal are the round, chrome mirrors seen on the SE model. The instrument cluster on the Access is a simple digi-analogue unit.

Scooter power
Powering the new Ntorq 125 is a 124.8cc motor with a 3-valve head good for 9.4hp at 7,500rpm and 10.5Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. This gives it the highest horsepower figure of the three; it is 0.9hp more than the Grazia and 0.8hp more than the Access. The torque figure of 10.5Nm puts it on par with the Grazia and 0.3Nm higher than the Access 125. The Ntorq has 12-inch at the front and rear, with wider 100/80 and 110/80 tyres. However, the Ntorq has a kerb weight of 116kg which makes it 14kg heavier than the Access and 9kg heavier than the Grazia.

The Grazia is powered by the same 124.9cc motor seen on the Activa; it produces 8.5hp at 6,500rpm and 10.5Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. The front end gets a telescopic fork that leads to a 12-inch wheel, where braking duties are carried out by a disc on the top-spec Deluxe variant. The 12-inch front wheel is shod in 90/90 rubber while the 10-inch rear wheel gets a 90/100 tyre. The scooter also features Honda’s Combi-brake System. The claimed kerb weight of the Grazia is 107kg.

The Access 125 is powered by a 124cc engine that makes 8.7hp at 7,000rpm and 10.2Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. Just like the Grazia, the Access 125 gets a 12-inch front wheel with 90/90 rubber and 10-inch rear wheel with 90/100 rubber. Like the other two scooters, the Access 125 can also be optioned with a front disc brake. The Access, at 102kg (kerb) is 5kg lighter than the 107kg Grazia and 14kg lighter than the Ntorq 125.

Should you be interested in the Ntorq 125?
The Ntorq 125 offers considerably more equipment and performance on paper than the Access 125 and Grazia, all while being priced on par or even lesser. TVS has launched the Ntorq 125 at Rs 58,750 which puts it slightly above the disc-brake equipped Access 125 (Rs 58,350) in terms of pricing and below the Grazia Deluxe that sells for Rs 62,505 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

Stay tuned to Autocar India for a detailed review of the TVS Ntorq 125.