Over the years, the TVS Scooty has attained household name status, having proved to be the perfect mobility solution for urban womankind. The Scooty clan has evolved too, spawning three variants. Now TVS has accorded the Scooty a comprehensive fashion-centric face-lift to maintain its allure for newer clientele in today’s fast changing, look obsessed times. OverDrive (April ’09) checks out the stylish TVS Scooty Streak and the pleasing looking and mighty economic Scooty Teenz Electric. The results…

The stylish Streak adheres to the Pep’s overall lines but has shed subtlety and taken on an edgy new look from the front apron to the tail edges and creases abound. The trapezoidal headlamp is more striking compared to the Pep’s smiley fascia. The long triangular blinkers on the front apron and angular mirrors gel well with the edgy theme. The cockpit houses a large triangular clock console with an analog Speedo fuel gauge and telltales. What catches the eye is the snazzy

graphic background of the clocks. The switchgear is the same as on the Pep but the new bike comes with a lockable glove box with a power socket to power up the cell phone.

The make-over and good looking rear features LED tail lamp flanked by clear turn indicators. The external fuel filler cap behind the seat to enable refueling without popping up the seat is a thoughtful feature.

The user-friendly nature of the Scooty remains intact on the Streak despite slightly larger dimensions. The Streak also retains the ease of handling and plush ride virtues and the refined 87.8cc mill feels adequate. The fatter 90/90 x 10’ tyres are a welcome addition.

The Scooty seems to trump over the Electric except for the economy. The Scooty Streak delivers 64kmpl overall. The Teenz electric runs 40.75km on a single charge. With an electric unit costing three rupees, the difference works out to an unbeatable 7 paise per km for the Electric versus 70 paise per km of the Streak.

Compared to the swanky Streak, the dated Teenz has no looks to boast and nothing new except for a new headlamp and tail lamp. The seating is cramped even for average sized riders. The Streak is also much better built. The Teenz Electric features three selectable modes to vary the motor speed from high to low. But the 800-watt motor can only propel it to a maximum speed of 42kmph, a distinct handicap in the urban melee where nifty pick-up and speed to overtake are not luxuries but life-saving necessity. Having said that, the Teenz Electric does scale flyovers with impressive aplomb says OverDrive (April ’09).

The Scooty Streak costs Rs. 41,216, OTR, Pune, while the Teenz Electric sells for Rs. 35,560. Look at it anyway and the Rs. 6,000 extra seems well spent on the Streak, an eye-catching, fuel-efficient and refined scooterette with a bagful of handy features concludes OverDrive (April ’09).