Simple Dot One First Ride Review

The Dot One’s 105kmph top speed is quite impressive

• In fact, the 151km claimed range is quite close to some of the more expensive scooters
• At Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom), the Simple Dot One is very nicely priced as well
• In terms of design, the Dot One reminds us of the Simple One a lot

Following the successful launch of its impressive One scooter, Simple is now expanding its electric scooter lineup with the introduction of the Dot One. Despite being more budget-friendly than the One, the Dot One doesn't compromise on features. We recently had the opportunity to experience it firsthand, and here's our detailed overview:

Simple Dot One: Design & Features

Simple adopts a minimalistic and futuristic design approach for the Dot One. Resonating with echoes of the Ather 450X, especially in the triangular headlight, it sets itself apart with a flared body featuring numerous cuts and a sharp tail unit. The grab handle is both substantial and robust.

The Dot One by Simple features an all-LED lighting system and offers four riding modes: Eco, Ride, Dash, and Sonic, complemented by a Reverse mode. Simple Energy equips the scooter with an LED headlight, a 7-inch instrument console, and Bluetooth navigation. 

The scooter supports phone calls, music playback, and document storage, along with OTA updates, geo-fencing, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and vehicle tracking. Connectivity options include a 4G LTE SIM and Bluetooth. Weighing 110kg and providing a 30-litre underseat storage capacity, the Simple One stands out in its category.

Simple Dot One: Motor

The Simple Dot One houses a motor with a peak power output of 8.5kW and a continuous power output of 4.5kW. Accelerating from 0-40kmph in just 2.77 seconds, it claims a top speed of 105kmph. Powered by a 3.7kWh capacity battery, the scooter boasts an IDC (Indian Driving Cycle) claimed range of 151km. 

Charging from 0-80% takes 3 hours and 47 minutes with the Home Charger, and the fast charger achieves a rate of 1.5km/min. The electric scooter, motor, and battery come with a warranty of 3 years or 30,000km, while the charger carries a warranty of 1 year or 10,000km.

Simple Dot One: Suspension

The Simple Dot One's suspension setup includes a telescopic fork and a monoshock. Braking duties are efficiently handled by a 200mm front disc brake with a triple-piston caliper and a 190mm rear disc brake with a single-piston caliper. Key dimensions include a seat height of 796mm, a wheelbase of 1,335mm, a kerb weight of 126kg, and a capacious 30-litre boot space.

Simple Dot One: Dimensions

On the track, the Simple One impresses with brisk acceleration and strong motor pull, particularly during corner exits. Urban scenarios showcase its agility at speeds below 70kmph. The Magic Twist regen system, initially challenging on the track, promises efficient braking in city environments.

Enhancements in practicality are evident with a reprofiled under-seat boot, offering a flatter floor and increased capacity to 30 litres. While unable to accommodate a full-face helmet, it comfortably houses a half-face helmet. The 5.5-litre front glove box retains the charging cable, and a convenient luggage hook remains.

Simple Dot One: Price

The Simple One introduces itself with an introductory price tag of Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), exclusive to those who pre-booked the scooter but are now seeking a more budget-friendly alternative. The final launch price will be disclosed in January 2024. The scooter is available in six colour options: Namma Red, Brazen Black, Azure Blue, Grace White, BrazenX, and LightX.

The pricing is particularly appealing, especially when compared to the exorbitant price tag of the 450 Apex. This places the Dot One in a favourable position on the value-for-money scale. Interestingly, that was an issue we had with the Simple One previously. The scooter was a fantastic one to ride but if viewed from a price perspective, we couldn’t help but feel that it was a tad bit too expensive. 

Verdict

While the Simple Dot One presents an enticing option, it is challenging to wholeheartedly recommend. The primary concern revolves around the brand's reliability. Despite the earlier launch of the Simple One, the scooters have yet to reach many customers, raising doubts about their reliability. Given these concerns, it becomes difficult for us to endorse the Dot One. 

In the performance-oriented electric scooter category, our preference leans towards the Ather 450 Apex. but if you’re on a budget and are looking for something around the Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom) mark, we would still lean towards something from the Ather stable. The brand still has the Ather 450S, its budget electric scooter which saw a big price cut last month. And hence, we would still recommend it over the Simple Dot One.