Bajaj Auto forays into the 4-wheeler market by keeping an exclusive four-wheeler stall this time at the 2012 Auto Expo. There were no Bajaj, KTM or Kawasaki bikes on display this time around. The recently unveiled its RE60 four-wheeler, it was displayed in green and yellow colours.
Earlier there were expectations that this would be Bajaj’s competitor to the Nano and adding fuel to the fire was the possible joint venture between Bajaj and the Renault Nissan partnership for a small car. Contrary to speculation they are not billing this four wheeler ‘car’, instead Bajaj had clearly stated that it’s a commercial vehicle and an upgrade or replacement for a three wheeler auto rickshaw.
The RE60 is definitely an upgrade to a three-wheeler people transport vehicle. Four wheels would improve stability and further improving the safety aspect are the seatbelts for the front and rear seats. In terms of appearance too, it is an improvement over an auto rickshaw despite the cost saving plastic that has been utilised almost everywhere. The windows have been replaced with plastic screens and the roof too is simply a big high-impact fibre insert. Doors are also a big distinguishing trait that the RE60 has over your conventional three-wheeler.
RE is a name that normally comes with their 3 wheelers which has now found is way on the 4-wheeled vehicle too. The Bajaj RE60 as the name states is a (R) Rear (E) Engined vehicle that has an emission of 60g per km of CO2. The engine that powers the RE60 is a DTSi 200cc mill, which is liquid cooled, borrows much of its technology from their ‘Pulsar’ line of two wheelers. Mileage has been quoted at 35kmpl. Also pre-installed on the passenger side of the dash is a fare meter driving home the purpose of this four-wheeled people carrier. The price has not been revealed but could end up being around the Rs 1 lakh figure.
Bajaj have also acknowledged that Renault would be seeing this for the first time at the Auto Expo, we wonder what their reaction would be to the car… sorry three wheeler replacement that Bajaj have unveiled!
Also see – Bajaj Auto India launches RE60 four-wheeler
See more pictures of Bajaj ULC RE60 –
