Ather Konarc S Review: Premium Price
Ather Energy's new Konarc electric scooter, built on a cost-effective platform, starts at Rs 99,999 but locks key features behind a paid subscription.
Ather Energy has launched the Konarc, a family-oriented electric scooter built on a new cost-focused platform. Starting at an effective ex-showroom price of Rs 99,999, the scooter is designed to compete in India's mass-market segment but adopts a premium pricing strategy that locks many features behind a paid software subscription called AtherStack Pro.
According to a review from Rushlane based on a media ride in Bengaluru, only the base S trim is currently available, not the fully-featured Z trim shown at launch. The available S variant offers a maximum certified range of 161 km, not the 200 km initially highlighted. The reviewer states that even within the S trim, most desirable features are inaccessible without the AtherStack Pro subscription, pushing the potential on-road price in Karnataka toward Rs 2 lakh.
Design and Practicality
The Ather Konarc follows a conventional family scooter design. The reviewer notes it has more road presence and a premium feel than some rivals, like the TVS Orbiter. Design elements include a triple-barrel headlight, LED DRLs that also function as turn indicators, and clean side body panels with metallic paint in some areas.
Practicality is a strong point. The seat is long and wide, accommodating a six-foot rider comfortably. The flat floorboard is spacious, and storage includes a 31-litre underseat boot, a small glove compartment, a hook, and a Type-C charging port. The S variant comes with a fixed pillion backrest, while the Z trim gets a larger, height-adjustable one.
Features and Equipment
The switchgear feels high-quality and plush. The reviewed S trim came with a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster supporting Bluetooth connectivity. However, the reviewer emphasizes that many features are locked behind the optional AtherStack Pro subscription.
This paid package unlocks the Ride Assist suite (including AirWalk, AutoHold, and FallSafe), Bluetooth call and music alerts, and the full Ather Connect suite of connected features. Ather Connect with AtherStack Pro is complimentary for only three years. The standard feature across all variants is a 450W onboard charger, which can be combined with an external charger for 900W AC charging.
Performance and Ride Quality
The Konarc S is offered with three battery options, each paired with different motor outputs. The performance is brisk at lower speeds in Power mode but tapers off near the top speed, which is limited to 70 km/h for all variants. The reviewer wished for an 80 km/h top speed for a more engaging ride.
| Variant (Range) | Battery Pack | Motor Power | 0-40 km/h Time | Top Speed | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 km | 2.1 kWh | 4 kW | 5.0 seconds | 70 km/h | 16 Nm |
| 125 km | 2.5 kWh | 4.7 kW | 4.7 seconds | 70 km/h | 16 Nm |
| 161 km | 3.5 kWh | 4.7 kW | 4.7 seconds | 70 km/h | 16 Nm |
The scooter uses a 14-inch front wheel and a 12-inch rear wheel, coupled with long-travel rear suspension. This provides a plush ride, though the reviewer noted a slightly inconsistent feel and would have preferred 14-inch wheels at both ends. The new EL platform uses a standard frame, resulting in predictable but less sporty handling compared to earlier Ather models. Braking uses a Combined Braking System (CBS) with an electronic layer Ather calls AeBS, as there is no Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
The AtherStack Pro Factor
The review identifies the premium pricing and feature segmentation as the biggest hurdles. The Konarc's prices are deemed uncompetitive against rivals, a situation exacerbated by the need to pay extra for AtherStack Pro to access many features. The reviewer argues the premium pricing would be more justified if these features were standard.
However, the strategy makes business sense for Ather. The company's data shows a 94% attach rate for AtherStack Pro, meaning the vast majority of customers opt for it. This subscription software is also contributing to higher average selling prices and now accounts for around 14% of Ather's overall revenue. The test scooter also had minor build quality issues like rough edges and uneven panel gaps.
