Bengaluru-based Ultraviolette Automotive has revealed the brand-new VX-100 platform that will underpin all its future vehicles. The company has also launched the very first motorcycle on this platform, the X-47 Venom, at an introductory price of Rs 2.65 lakh for the entry-level variant with the 7.5kWh battery. The top variant with an 11kWh battery in the new Afterburner Yellow colour costs Rs 4.12 lakh (also introductory).
All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, Bengaluru.
- Gets a new SRB-11 battery with 11kWh capacity
- Cruise control and a 7-inch TFT display are other noteworthy features
- Introductory prices are for the first 5,000 buyers; will rise by Rs 35,000 later
- Bookings are open now, and deliveries will start in November
Ultraviolette X-47 Venom: What’s changed?
New platform saves weight and improves range, among others
The major upgrade on the latest X-47 has come in the form of weight savings thanks to the improved platform, followed by the range. The base 7.5kWh variant now weighs 180kg, which is a substantial 17kg lower than the previous X-47 with the 7kWh battery. The top Recon variant with an 11kWh battery, on the other hand, weighs 195kg, 13kg lower than the outgoing X-47 Recon with its 10.3kWh battery. Ultraviolette also claims an additional 20km range, taking the top-variant’s claimed range to 343km now. The base variant sees a 16km increase, with a claimed 227km range.
The noteworthy improvements are thanks to the new VX-100 platform, which improves the battery, motor and motor controller. All three are lighter than before while packing more energy; they cool down faster as well. UV claims the improvements show up in two other areas: sustained high performance and regen. Ballistic, UV’s fastest ride mode, is now available till 10 percent battery charge as opposed to 30 percent earlier. Regenerative braking, on the other hand, is now available from 99 percent battery charge as opposed to 90 percent earlier.
Ultraviolette X-47 Venom: What's similar to before?
What community is saying on the X-47?
Marginal changes to power and features, unchanged dimensions
The performance figures are largely similar. On the Recon variant, peak power is 40hp (0.2hp lower), while peak torque is 90Nm (10Nm lower). Rear-wheel torque has gone to 550Nm from 610Nm. While that sounds like a significant drop, UV’s claimed acceleration times have either remained unchanged or improved. The X-47 Venom has a 0-60kph time of 2.7sec, which is unchanged, but the 0-100kph time of 5.9sec is 2.2s faster than before. These claimed performance gains are likely to be due to the weight savings. Charging times have increased marginally. For instance, with the standard portable charger (1.3kW), it now takes 5 hours and 30 minutes for a 20-80 percent top-up instead of 5 hours.
On the features front, the X-47 Venom gets three noteworthy additions: cruise control, camera-powered parking assistance and a larger 7-inch TFT display. Do bear in mind that all three are limited to the top three variants. UV continues to offer rider aids such as dual-channel ABS, traction control and dynamic stability control as standard. Higher variants add four levels of traction control, a radar-powered UV Hypersense assistance system and an integrated dashcam, among others.
The dimensions stay unchanged, which means an 820mm seat height, a 200mm ground clearance and a 1,385mm wheelbase. There are no changes to the brakes or suspension either. The now lighter X-47 Venom is stopped by the same 320mm front disc and 230mm rear disc. Suspending the motorcycle are a 41mm preload-adjustable USD fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock. Tyre sizes remain the same as well: 110/70R17 at the front and 150/60R17 at the rear. The motorcycle continues to utilise a steel trellis frame.
Ultraviolette X-47 Venom: Price
Four variants, all set to go up by Rs 35,000 in the near future
There are four variants on offer, with two battery sizes. Depending on the battery size, charger type and colour choice, price ranges from Rs 2.65 lakh to as high as Rs 4.12 lakh. Ultraviolette claims these are introductory prices for the first 5,000 customers, after which they will increase by Rs 35,000 for all variants. Bookings for the new X-47 Venom are open on Ultraviolette’s website, and deliveries are set to start in November.
Suraj Sreekumar
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
