Bajaj KTM duo are planning to launch electric high-end bikes, might bring VFMness to premium segment
It’s now confirmed that Bajaj and KTM together are planning to enter into the uncharted territory of making high-end electric bikes, probably, performance bikes. This is sure to excite enthusiasts in India as the duo is known for offering VFM products.
During a recent media briefing, Bajaj Auto Executive Director, Rakesh Sharma, said, “We are in discussion with KTM and there is a joint work going on where we are looking at platforms for high-end electric motorcycles.”
While nothing further has been revealed regarding this development, what we can funnily think off is the RS 200 growing in size with an electric powertrain to challenge the Energica Ego as both look inspired from each other.
When we look back at the early 2010s, Bajaj and KTM were quite aggressive. They took the market by storm when they launched the 200 twins – Duke 200 and Pulsar NS200. Expect a similar performance from the brands for the upcoming high-end EVs.
In addition to this, Bajaj is also planning to launch electric Pulsars. In an earlier interview, Rakesh Sharma, said that his company will ride both the horses, ICE and Electric.
While the Chetak, he said, will broaden vertically and horizontally into multiple sub-segments, the company is also planning to launch Pulsar Electric as its another EV sub-brand.
With this, it’s quite evident that the Chakan based manufacturer has some ambitious plans when it comes to electrification as it’s ready to even give in its bread and butter Pulsar sub-brand for the budding tech.
But, there’s 1 thing peculiar and good about Bajaj’s EVs so far. The manufacturer has almost retained its ICE architecture for its EVs. The Chetak EV has got many of its parts, especially the suspension, inspired from the old workhorse Chetak of the yesteryears.
We believe Bajaj might adopt the same strategy even for its Pulsar EVs retaining the original chassis, suspension, tires, and even the body panels. The strategy might be carried forward to the KTM EVs too.
In turn, what we as customers, would get are EVs that are solid on the outside though not as sophisticated as the present-day startups’ EVs on the inside.