Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: First Ride Review

Visually, the S1 Pro gen 2 looks very similar to the previous gen scooter

• The S1 Pro gen 2 is built on the same platform we saw on the S1 Air
• That means it misses out on the single-sided swingarm that the original Gen 1 had
• Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork as well as a mono shock

At the Ola S1 Air electric scooter's media ride event, we got a chance to test the new Gen 2 S1 Pro, although it was only a brief ride inside the factory grounds. And while it didn’t let us test the scooter thoroughly, it did reveal some important things about Ola’s new flagship scooter. Here’s all you need to know about it: 

Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: Design & Characteristics

The Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 is built on Ola's new Gen 2 platform, which is also used for the S1 Air. This means that the Ola S1 Pro features a telescopic front fork and a flat floorboard, just like the S1 Air. However, unlike the S1 Air, which has drum brakes, the S1 Pro Gen 2 is equipped with disc brakes both at the front and rear, along with a mono shock rear suspension.

One notable change is in the rear section. The S1 Pro Gen 2 now has a conventional dual-sided swingarm, which doesn't have the same sleek appearance as the original S1 Pro. The original S1 Pro had a horizontally mounted mono shock and an exposed rear wheel on the right side, giving it a distinct look.

The storage space under the seat has shrunk by 2 liters, but it still offers a spacious 34-liter capacity. It remains wide and flat, which is a significant advantage for this scooter. The seat height has increased slightly by 5 mm, now measuring 805 mm, while the ground clearance has seen a slight reduction from 163 mm to 160 mm.

Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: Motor & Range

The redesigned motor in the S1 Pro Gen 2 has some notable changes. It now delivers a lower continuous power output of 5 kW compared to the 5.5 kW of the Gen 1 model. However, the peak power has increased significantly to 11 kW from the previous 8.5 kW. Ola claims that this boosts the top speed to 120 km/h, up from 115 km/h, and also results in slightly quicker acceleration times. The S1 Pro Gen 2 maintains its reputation as one of the fastest made-in-India scooters, and it appears to be even faster now.

The battery pack remains at 4 kWh, but Ola has improved the software to extend the range. In Eco mode, the company now claims a range of 180 km, up from 170 km, and in Normal mode, it offers 143 km, compared to the previous 135 km.

During our brief ride on the S1 Pro Gen 2, the performance was undeniably strong. While it's challenging to confirm if it's faster than the previous model without direct comparisons, the scooter exhibits impressive speed in its Hyper mode. However, it's worth noting that like the original S1 Pro from 2021, there could be thermal-based performance limitations after about 10-15 minutes of sustained fast riding, as observed during our time with the S1 Air.

Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

It's evident that the accelerator responses on the S1 Pro Gen 2 continue to be poorly calibrated. There's a noticeable delay in the scooter's response after you apply the accelerator, and it tends to keep accelerating for about half a second even after you release the accelerator. This, combined with the immediate motor cutoff when you touch the brakes, can make it challenging to execute tight maneuvers smoothly.

Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: Dimensions

The weight of the Ola S1 Pro is most noticeable in slow riding conditions. The scooter's longer wheelbase contributes to it feeling slightly less agile compared to models like the Ather 450X or the TVS iQube. While it's not a major drawback, you do sense the scooter's weight when maneuvering it in cramped parking spaces.

Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: Price & Verdict

The starting price for the Gen 2 Ola S1 Pro is now Rs 1.47 lakh, which marks an increase of approximately seven thousand rupees compared to the first-generation model. Ola has announced that deliveries will commence in mid-September. 

We look forward to conducting a comprehensive review once we have the opportunity to thoroughly test the scooter. But till then, we’d advise you to look elsewhere if you’re looking for a premium electric scooter, because even in the short stint, the S1 Pro Gen 2 wasn’t really able to live up to our expectations.