Bajaj Auto on Tuesday laid to rest all the speculation surrounding its ultra-low-cost-car programme by unveiling the four-wheeler RE60, which it feels will revolutionize mass transportation and change the way people commute within the city.
Bajaj Auto said the four-wheeler will set "global benchmark" in carbon-di-oxide [CO2] emissions, with just 60gm/km and offer a mileage of 35km to a litre.
This is Bajaj's first attempt at making a four-wheeler. It currently sells the Pulsar, Discover, and Boxer range of motorcycles and three-wheeler commercial vehicles.
"We are very excited with the outcome of our efforts and, in the RE60; we believe we have an excellent solution for the mobility challenges arising from the rapid urbanization of India," MD Rajiv Bajaj said.
Bajaj was initially expected to develop a low-cost car rivaling the Tata Nano. But then it was clarified that it would certainly be a four-wheeler but not necessarily a passenger car. The RE60 seems to be more of a people carrier, especially for intra-city commute.
"We are presenting an optimized solution for intra-city passenger transport. This vehicle has been designed for intra-city use, keeping in mind the intra-city duty cycles and safety requirements," Bajaj said.
RC Maheshwari, president, commercial vehicles, further added that the vehicle presented a small, simple solution to combat pollution and inflation didn't need fresh investments in infrastructure or subsidies.
"It retains a small footprint – nearly the same as our autorickshaw, is highly maneuverable and can keep pace with the moving traffic," it said.
The RE60 will have two seating configurations, two plus two or one plus three and it will have a maximum speed of 70 km per hour. It will have a water cooled DTSi 4 valve engine with a closed loop fuel injection system, Bajaj Auto said.
The price of the vehicle has not yet been announced, but could compete with the Tata Nano, which is the cheapest car in the world.
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