Bajaj Auto has just revealed its first low-cost, four-wheeled city vehicle ahead of the Auto Expo in New Delhi.
Called the RE60, the vehicle aims to set new benchmarks for four-wheelers in the areas of fuel-efficiency and emissions, returning a claimed 35kpl and emitting just 60g of CO2 per kilometre.
This is possible mostly thanks to the RE60’s lightweight, rigid, metal-polymer hybrid monocoque construction, which keeps the vehicle’s kerb weight at just under 400kg. Also playing a major role is the liquid-cooled, four-stroke DTSi engine. The 200cc, single-cylinder unit is rear-mounted, produces approximately 20bhp and uses a closed-loop fuel injection system.
The car is intended for intra-city use with a footprint not much bigger than that of an auto rickshaw, which is interesting, because Bajaj is marketing it as a safer, better-appointed alternative to a three-wheeler rather than a conventional passenger car.
“At Bajaj Auto, we believe the people of this planet deserve much better, much faster,” said managing director Rajiv Bajaj.
“We are presenting an optimised 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.”
He further emphasised that the vehicle’s development required minimal investment, and no additional infrastructure, resources, huge subsidies or time.
At first glance, the short wheelbase, upright glasshouse, and skinny wheels give the RE60 a comical stance. However, a closer look reveals a smart urban face, with headlights that have a Renault touch to their design. There is no grille under the RE badge on the snout.
The interiors are also Spartan – the dash has the instrument cluster in the centre with stowage boxes on either side. However, there is a lot of storage space in the cabin. The seats look quite basic and the rear bench is flat and an evolution of the rickshaw bench. The commercial-vehicle version of the RE60 shown at the launch even had an auto rickshaw meter fitted to the dash.
The windows don’t roll down, but instead are split in the middle and flip down. Further evidence of the car’s low-cost positioning is the absence of front headrests, the lack of roof lining and the exclusion of inertia reels on the seatbelts.
The RE60 features 2+2 or 1+3 seating layout options, a 44-litre boot and a top speed of 70kph. Its 2.75m length, 1.3m width and 3.5m turning circle radius should make it very manoeuvrable in city traffic.
The company has said prices will be revealed closer to when production begins, which will be in a few months’ time.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
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