Indian Autos blog

Terrified by the fuel price hike To avoid being snapped by auto aficionados (pun unintended) test mules of the Bajaj RE60 were spotted being transported on a truck.

Bajaj is likely to begin testing of the RE60 in Pune in the coming weeks. The RE60 is falsely conceived as a competitor to the Tata Nano and comparisons are flying about in the media that thrash the RE60′s inability to match up to the lofty standards set by the similarly-priced Nano.

The Bajaj RE60 has been a project which has given rise to many rumors in the past. During its unveiling before the Auto Expo, Rajiv Bajaj clearly demarcated that the RE60 is not a car but a three-wheeler with one extra wheel for stability. It is powered by a 200cc twin spark petrol engine that delivers 20PS of power. The RE60 is not just for India, it will be sold in Sri Lanka where the auto rickshaw is used for personal transport.

Questions were raised for this rather unique product positioning. Many also compared the RE60 to the Tata Nano. Rajiv Bajaj is at it again clarifying our doubts about the RE60.

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Back in 2009, Renault-Nissan entered into a partnership with Bajaj to bring out a Tata Nano rival. The idea was that Bajaj would develop a low cost car and Renault Nissan would sell it under their umbrella. Many speculations and rumors later, it seems that Renault-Nissan is not happy with the RE60 and the partnership is tottering on the edge.

The Bajaj RE60 was showcased just a day before the 2012 Auto Expo. It is powered by a 200cc rear mounted engine with a top speed of 70 kmph and a fuel economy of 35 kmpl. Rajiv Bajaj clearly demarcated that the RE60 was not a car but rather a three wheeler with an extra wheel.

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A report on Fox Business has resurrected the possibility of Bajaj selling the RE60 in an overseas market before a local launch. Bajaj could export the four-wheeled auto rickshaw upgrade to Sri Lanka before launching it in India.

The report has Mr Rajiv Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Auto, on record stating that Sri Lanka is a market where the company has established a strong retail network and it gives them confidence to launch it there.

After the showcase of the Bajaj RE60, pitched as the 21st century auto rickshaw riding on four wheels, many thought the good old tuk-tuk was on the brink of extinction.

It was seen as a logical evolution, the four wheeler by virtue of its design is safer and more stable than a three wheeler.

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One look at the Bajaj RE60 and you’d conclude that its a three-wheeler with an extra wheel. The boffins at Bajaj won’t be disappointed if you did because that is exactly what they had in mind. They designed the RE60 (RE is Bajaj’s commercial vehicle brand and 60 denotes its carbon dioxide emission/km) to play as the next step to their three-wheeler customer base. Bajaj has sold over 5 million auto rickshaws. These customers have nothing to upgrade to except for locally-assembled share-auto rickshaws.

5 reasons why Bajaj made the RE60

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Pointers from the Bajaj RE60 press conference – Mr Rajiv Bajaj, CEO or Bajaj Auto talks about his new project. He repeats that Bajaj is an “anti car company” and the RE60 is seen as replacement to the 3-wheeler and not a car. This is a low cost solution, a commercial application for moving people.

What is the RE60?

A last mile transportation solution for people.

Dealership network – This will go through RE dealerships (commercial vehicle network). I hope this will motivate dealers to spruce up dealership.

Despite the success with the motorcycles, Bajaj has taken its eyes of the 3-wheeler business of which it is the largest auto market – half a million 3-wheeler sales this year.

Four year journey ends today with the launch of this four-wheeler.

This is a 4-wheeled vehicle – Pride and aspiration associated with a 4-wheeler present on this product.

100% new petrol engine – fuel injected, water cooled, 4 valves, twin spark technology – 60g/km of CO2 emissions – typically half what current small car emits. The engine is mounted at the rear.

We want to sell it as a mass volume price.

I’m happy to share that this vehicle returned 40kmpl in testing and on the road, users should experience 35kmpl at least.

Host of vehicle features – normally not associated with this segment – is present on the RE60 – We’re bringing features from segments above.

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Come Jan 3^rd 2012, Bajaj would be hoping to recreate the magic Tata Motors created at the launch of the Nano a few years back. For the first time in 8 decades, Bajaj will present a car for the Indian masses. Very popular for its two wheelers, three wheelers and commercial vehicles, Bajaj has never had a single contender in the passenger car market. However, with the dawn of new year, the company will create history by introducing the ULC christened ‘RE60’.

Our pals BSMotoring have presented us a small pic which they claim is the actual model. The model presented in the picture sort of looks like the Reva (a.k.a G-Wiz). The RE60 is may look like a car but Bajaj Auto claims that it isn’t one. The company has made it quite clear that it doesn’t intend to build another Tata Nano. According to Bajaj, the RE60 will be perfect, low-cost transportation solution; a three wheeler with one extra wheel for stability. We have no idea how to make sense of it all. Seeing the vehicle on the 3rd is the only way to understand Bajaj’s proposition.

Anyways, coming back to the RE60. The ‘RE’ stands for ‘Rear Engined’ and the 60 stands for the 60 g/km of CO2 that the car produces. The RE60 will be powered by a 700-800 cc engine with priority given to fuel economy. The estimated figure is around 30 kmpl.

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