Bajaj Auto has launched the V15 motorcycle in Mangalore on World Martyr’s Day (23rd March 2016) by Captain M C Belliappa, commanding officer of 5 Karnataka Naval Unit NCC. The new motorcycle is made from metal sourced from the erstwhile INS Vikrant battleship and was unveiled just a couple of days ahead of the 2016 Auto Expo.
On Republic Day, the company had first released a teaser of the ‘invincible’ motorcycle that has been forged from the metal of the INS Vikrant – a legendary Indian Navy warship decommissioned in 1997 and scrapped in 2012. In doing so, Bajaj Auto struck a chord with many Indians who were disheartened over losing the iconic warship.
In 2014, Bajaj purchased the dismantled scrap and decided to revive its legacy. Now the pride of owning a piece of INS Vikrant is available to lakhs of Indian in the form of Bajaj V15. As the fuel tank assembly of the Bajaj V15 is specifically made of INS Vikrant metal. It has a badge on the tank lid that reads ‘Made with the invincible metal of INS Vikrant’. This adds glory to the motorcycle and evokes a sense of patriotism.
Bajaj Auto named the motorcycle as ‘V’ which stands for Vikrant, also known as Victory.
At the event, Captain Belliappa handed over the keys to 23 esteem customers. Alongside he shared his knowledge and experience with INS Vikrant from the very beginning uptill its final approval for the scrapping. He is proud that Bajaj Auto has not let the decommissioned heritage ship vanish simply. Priced Rs. 75,000 on-road Mangalore, does not face too much competition because of its exclusivity as a ‘tribute to INS Vikrant’. And how can one resist the urge to ride history itself?
Powering the Bajaj V15 is a tried-and-tested 149.5 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with DTS-i technology. This engine generates torque of 13 Nm at 5500 RPM, and power of 12 PS power at 7500 rpm, matched to a 5-speed gearbox. Apart from selling it in the India market where the demand is already overwhelming, Bajaj also plans on exporting the V15 to markets in Africa, Latin America, West Asia and Turkey next financial year.
Checkout more pictures, after a jump.
Bike Courtesy: SUPREME MOTORS, JEPPU, MANGALORE
Ahmed Siddiq: +91 – 9845761864
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Also see: Bajaj V15 complete details-out & prices revealed, March 23 launch
GALLERY: Bajaj V15
