Pune, April 4, 2013: Bajaj Auto, which first displayed the RE 60 at the Auto Expo in 2012, has officially showcased the vehicle ahead of its production in this financial year.
R C Maheshwari, president, Commercial Vehicles, Bajaj Auto, said: “It is indeed gratifying that the government has given an in-principle approval for the creation of a new class of 4- wheelers – the quadricycles. A committee has been formed to work on regulations and norms for such vehicles. We understand the process for final inclusion of the new class in the CMVR would take a few months more.”
“RE60 (Project code) has been developed on the belief and conviction that seeking creation of a new category of vehicles will only be justified if the vehicle is distinctly different from any vehicle on the roads and offers significant benefits to society. To this end, the RE60 has been designed to be distinctly different from any vehicle on the roads. Our key objective was to offer a significantly improved vehicle for intra-city transport,” he added.
With the RE 60, Bajaj is aiming at bringing out a product that can be a potential replacement for the three-wheeler autorickshaw on the one hand, and also create a category between the rickshaw and the taxi market, on the other. Bajaj is positioning the vehicle for the commercial segment.
The USPs of the vehicle, according to the company, include low emissions (100 gms of CO2 per km) and high efficiency – over 35 kilometres per litre.
According to the company, this has been achieved as a result of the use of a metal-polymer hybrid structure which has limited kerb weight to 450kg. Under the engine is a water-cooled, four- valve, DTSi, engine with a closed loop fuel injection system. The company has attempted to minimise frictional and transmission losses. Keeping safety considerations in mind, it will also have rear and front seatbelts.
Photograph: R C Maheswari, president, Commercial Vehicles, and Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, with the RE 60.