Ather Konarc to Feature Metal Body Panels

• Confirmed by Ather’s latest social media post
• Bajaj Chetak already gets metallic bodywork

Ather’s upcoming family scooter called the Konarc will feature metal body panels, as confirmed by one of its latest social media posts. The newly released video shows the company CEO playing with one of the panels of the scooter by sticking magnets to it. Now, this doesn’t confirm whether all the panels of the scooter will be metal or only certain parts of it.

The main reason for a manufacturer using metallic body panels on its scooter is to exude a sense of solidity and sturdiness. This has worked surprisingly well in the long-running Honda Activa’s favour, which has been the best-selling scooter in India for years now. Its body panels being metal is one of the reasons for people trusting its build quality and reliability. In the EV space, Bajaj Chetak is another example of boasting metallic bodywork.

One of the cons of using metal over fibre for a two-wheeler’s panels is the increased weight. Now, it remains to be seen how smartly Ather has executed it to keep the weight in check. Since scooters are all about ease-of-use and accessibility, low kerb weight is an important factor, especially in the context of family scooters.

The Konarc, based on Ather’s new EL01 platform, will be a major departure from the brand’s sporty 450 series. It is supposed to be an affordable family scooter with a simpler design, additional comfort and convenience, and more laid-back performance. It will be launched on 29 August at the Ather Community Day in Bengaluru. The prices and other details will be revealed on that day.