Bajaj has just displayed the RE60 quadricycle at the 2014 Auto Expo but they are not your stock RE60s but a signature collection by artist Christopher Hogan which depicts five national icons – Mango, Tiger, Lotus, Banyan Tree and Peacock. The RE60 needs no introduction, at first glance, this vehicle appears very compact in size and hence we can easily infer that it will be a hoot to drive in the city. The new quadricycle segment will finally replace the unsafe rickshaws but since the Government is yet to give the final approvals, the RE60 will roll out after a few months.
Bajaj has stated that they have a production capacity of 200 units per day at their Aurangabad plant. Right now, 3-wheelers including auto rickshaws and small commercial vehicles are produced at this facility. The manufacturer will provide petrol, LPG and CNG fuel options with the RE60 and hence it would be an excellent alternative to rickshaws. The Bajaj RE60 is powered by a 216cc, fuel-injected, 4-valve, triple-spark engine producing around 20 BHP of power with the company claimed mileage being 37 km/l. The gearbox is a 5-speed unit mounted on the dashboard and the top speed is 70 km/hr, with emissions being just 60 gm of CO2 per km.
Bajaj is providing two seating configurations with the RE60 – 1+3 and 2+2. The instrument console is centrally mounted in the dashboard. Even though the vehicle looks quirky, looks hardly matter in this type of segment. Bajaj is also studying the possibilities of launching the vehicle in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Peru and Nigeria. The company has said that the vehicle is ready for production (the production spec model was showcased at the Auto Expo) after extensive testing and they are just waiting for the Government approvals after which the RE60 will be launched in the final quarter of 2014.
