Apart from updating the Pulsar 150 Classic with new design and features, Bajaj Auto plans an upgrade to the Platina. The motorcycle has been clocking impressive sales in the M1 (100cc) segment of the two-wheeler market, and Bajaj intends to further boost volumes by giving it a makeover.
Also read: Bajaj Dominar 400 receives another price hike; gets expensive by INR 1,000
The details, however, are limited at the moment as Bajaj officials have remained tight-lipped about the list of changes. In an interview to Moneycontrol, Kevin D’sa, President (Finance), Bajaj Auto said:
Within the M1 (100cc) segment we see Platina becoming a bigger pie... We plan to come up with more changes in the Platina.
Rakesh Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer, Bajaj Auto added:
What we have found is that the growth is Platina volumes are now overtaking growth in volumes of CT 100 and both are making decisive inroads into TVS (Motor Company) and Hero (Motocorp). We will now be intervening at the top of the sub segment.
In August 2018, the Bajaj Platina 125 was spied testing on the Indian roads. The test mule was seen with a 125 badge on the rear panel and a front disc brake. With almost no camouflage, the motorcycle seemed production ready. The mule also revealed the hardware that comprised of halogen headlight with a LED DRL, alloy wheels, conventional telescopic front forks and twin sided shock absorbers at the rear.
In an interview in September 2018, Bajaj Auto’s Managing Director, Rajiv Bajaj had said that there are no plans to stretch the Platina range into the 125cc segment as it will dilute the brand in India. He further added that the company is working on a new motorcycle brand in the 125cc segment to fill the void that was created due to lacklustre sales of the existing products.
More recently, Bajaj had confirmed the 125cc variant of the Platina for the Mexican market. Mechanical specifications are yet to be announced, but we expect it with the reworked Discover 125's motor. The 124.5cc single cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled, SOHC, DTS-i engine is tuned to deliver 11 PS of power @ 7,500 rpm and 11 Nm of torque @ 5,500 rpm.
Also read: Reported upcoming Bajaj bikes - New Dominar 400 to Bajaj Pulsar 250
As for the 2019 Bajaj Platina, the intervention may not be a simple one and we are likely to see the commuter enhanced with visual and mechanical upgrades to gear it up for the new emission and safety regulations.
[Source: Moneycontrol.com]
