Well, lookee here, it’s the Bajaj RE60 again. This is the second time the RE60 test-mule snapped by BharathAutos reader and first seen plying on Mangalore roads, spotted by BharathAutos.com founder Azfar Ahmed. A total of three RE60 petrol version test-mules were spotted, when enquiring the driver what exactly they were testing the officials failed to answer, but they were doing some tyre testing as seen in the pictures.
These test-mules had different set of wheels as compared to the earlier vehicles, however, the quadricycle looks almost production ready with bit less camouflage than before. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, really, considering that it was already unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi. Now it is being said that the Bajaj RE60 would be launched by end-2014, almost two years after the quadricycle was unveiled.
The Indian government has revealed some guidelines that will govern the manufacturing and design of quadricycles. Like it will be required to have a ‘Q’ symbol on the front, and their usage will be strictly restricted to ‘non-highway’ stretches of cities and villages. The goods carrying quadricycle can only carry a maximum payload of 550kg, apart from 2 passengers including the driver, while the passenger carrying quadricycle will be required to accommodate four passengers including the driver. The RE60 four-wheeler can seat 4 people in a 1+3 or 2+2 layout.
The government has also made it clear that the usage of flexible materials such as resin, cloth and plastic for building the body of the quadricycle is prohibited. Further, the quadricycle can only be registered only as a commercial vehicle ie with yellow plates. The Bajaj RE60 will be powered by a 200cc, water cooled, single cylinder four stroke engine that produces a peak power between 16 to 20 Bhp. This engine will feature Bajaj’s DTSi dual spark plug ignition technology that can hit a limited speed of 70km per hour while returning a mileage of about 35 kmpl in real world condition and weighs only 400 kgs.
In India, the RE60 could be positioned as the logical upgrade for three-wheeler owners for the added safety, comfort and fuel economy it brings to the table, at a cost that isn’t much higher than that of a RE three-wheeler. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 1.30 lakh – 1.40 lakh, when it hits production in end-2014. And like its RE range of three-wheelers, the RE60 too will be available in the LPG and CNG variants, although no diesel and electric options on the cards for now!
Bajaj Auto already exports its RE range of three-wheelers to countries across the globe and the recently snapped a left-hand drive Bajaj RE60 confirms that it is meant for export markets. The company earlier said that they would export the quadricycle to markets in Asia, Latin America and Africa, while not ruling out the possibility of exporting it to Europe also. The RE60 was designed to meet international norms and regulations, and as a result, exporting the vehicle would not require a major redesign, said Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto. The RE60 will roll out from Bajaj’s Aurangabad factory at Maharashtra, a facility that also builds the automaker’s RE three-wheelers range.
Checkout more pictures below the jump.
Also see – Spy Shots – Bajaj RE60 caught testing in Pune traffic, looks production ready
See more spy pictures of Bajaj RE60 –
