TVS Jupiter MillionR Edition First Ride Review

Gallery What is it?How does it ride?Anything else I should know?Should I buy one?Where does it fit in?

What is it?

A celebration and a smart marketing strategy. In a short span of just three years, TVS has put more one million Jupiter scooters on Indian roads. As a commemoration of this feat, the company rolled out this special edition variant, aptly christened Jupiter MillionR. What does the 'R' stand for? Not 'race' quite clearly. The only mechanical difference between the standard Jupiter and the Jupiter MillionR is the new front disc brake. So unless the decals and chrome bits add five horsepower, no, the Jupiter MillionR isn't any quicker off the mark. Nevertheless, we took it for a spin to find out what's new.

How does it ride?

Just like the standard TVS Jupiter, which in itself is a big compliment. The Jupiter MillionR is powered by the same single-cylinder engine which displaces 109cc, making 7.8bhp and 8Nm of torque. The power delivery is linear, with the engine's refinement and vibe-free mannerism being the highlight. However, the CVT transmission has been tuned keeping fuel economy in mind, which becomes apparent under hard acceleration. Even off the mark, there is noticeable lag before the power kicks in. On highways, the Jupiter MillionR feels comfortable cruising at 70kmph, leaving enough grunt for overtakes.

The suspension has been tuned to offer a plush ride best suited for city riding. It feels composed and planted at city speeds, and stable around corners and over minor bumps. Past 50kmph though, the front forks don't respond well to the undulations, and every one of those deep ruts sends a muffled shock through the wrists.

The single piston 220mm disc brake on the Jupiter MillionR offers a good initial bite and progression, and presents a marked improvement over the standard Jupiter's drum unit. Those who majorly rely on the rear brake are sure to miss a combined braking system, as the 130mm drum unit feels inadequate on its own.

Anything else I should know?

You can have the Jupiter MillionR in any colour you want, as long as it is purple (or royal wine, as TVS prefers calling it). While I am not a big fan of this shade, even I will accept that it looks quite flamboyant, contrasting beautifully with the beige interior panels and floor. However, keeping these bright coloured bits clean can become a major pain. Apart from the disc brake, it also gets a few other unique touches like a dual tone seat and chrome detailing on the body and mirrors. And while the standard Jupiter has to make do with a 12v power socket, the Jupiter MillionR gets a USB charging port.

Styling is quite contemporary and pleasing to the eyes, build and paint quality is top notch, and the features list is quite extensive. The instrument console is a fully analogue unit, which misses out modern touches like a digital display and trip meters. The cushy seat partly takes care of shock absorption, though it is best suited for brief rides. Storage options are limited to an underseat bay and two storage hooks. The Jupiter MillionR gets an external fuel lid, which can be accessed through a key slot on the side panel. On the efficiency front, we can safely expect to extract about 56kmpl, which is on par with the competition.

Should I buy one?

Sure, it also gets a few other bells and whistles, but the disc brake is the piece de resistance of the TVS Jupiter MillionR. And then there is the colour. In a short span of just three years, the Jupiter has managed to carve out a niche in the Indian scooter market. In the current market scenario where the Honda Activa has demolished its competition (and the Hero Splendor, for that matter), the Jupiter is one of the few scooters which has managed to hold its own. But this also means that it has become too common. So if you want a Jupiter but are apprehensive about it getting lost in the crowd, the Jupiter MillionR is just the right variant for you. And given that the Jupiter MillionR is over Rs 5,000 more expensive than the standard variant, exclusivity is guaranteed.

For the same kind of money, you can also opt for the more premium TVS Wego which gets a digital console and a syncing brake system. But given that the Jupiter MillionR is newer and more successful of the two, we would recommend the Jupiter MillionR.

Where does it fit in?

The TVS Jupiter MillionR is priced at Rs 67,317 (on-road, Mumbai). While the standard TVS Jupiter has to rub shoulders with hotshots like the Honda Activa 3G, Hero Maestro Edge, Yamaha Fascino, the Jupiter MillionR's list of rivals is quite short. Apart from its own sibling, the Yamaha Cygnus Ray-ZR and the Honda Aviator are the only other 110cc scooters in this price range to be sold with a front disc brake.