TVS Jupiter launched at Rs 44,200

TVS has expanded its scooter portfolio with the launch of Jupiter which is based on the underpinnings of the Wego. The new offering from TVS is aimed to please male buyers as it already has the Scooty Pep Plus and Streak targeted at women while the Wego had a unisex appeal. To make the latest scooter more attractive to men, TVS has loaded the Jupiter with features like pass lights (segment first), 12-inch alloys finished in black, telescopic front forks, gas-charged rear suspension, largest leg space in segment and LED tail light. Also the new offering sports an external fuel filler cap at rear, under-seat storage which can fit a full face helmet, mobile charger, tubeless tyres, viscous paper filter and standard electric start. 

Overall the design of the Jupiter is quite neutral and one can see design influences of both the Honda Activa and Hero Maestro, which incidentally are its main rivals. On the mechanical front, nothing much has changed and it is powered by the same 110cc mill as on the Wego producing 8PS of power and 8Nm of torque. Since male riders are more performance-oriented, the V-matic transmission has been tweaked for better performance and TVS claims it to be the fastest offering in its segment. The improvement in performance hasn’t affected the Jupiter’s fuel efficiency and with its patented ‘Econometer’ technology, which gives the rider an option of eco or power mode, TVS claims the scooter returns 62km to a litre of fuel. 

The Jupiter has been priced at Rs 44,200 (ex-showroom Delhi) and would be offered in four shades of matte grey, red, white and black. The Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer has been able to sell close to 35,000 scooter units monthly with the bulk of sales coming from the Scooty Pep Plus. With the new offering, it hopes to expand this number to close to 50,000 units. TVS has been successful in undercutting its main rivals on the price front as the Jupiter is priced Rs 3,054 and Rs 2,700 cheaper than the Activa and Maestro respectively while boasting better features. Whether this is enough for it to cut through competition only time will tell but TVS surely has the right package in hand. Sale of the scooter has commenced in Northern part of the country with 4,000 units being shipped while sales would start in South from November. Also at the launch, it was announced that TVS would launch Scooty Zest on January 1, 2014.