Bajaj Urbanite electric scooter may debut on 16 October

09/10/2019 - 11:58 Bajaj Urbanite, Bajaj Suvil Susvirkar

Bajaj Auto has sent out invites for a media event to be held in Delhi on 16 October. The invitation does not give out the details about the event, but its text hints at Bajaj Urbanite brand.

Rakesh Sharma, Director, Bajaj Auto, had said in an interview in February this year that the Urbanite electric vehicle brand would arrive within 9 months

Also Read: Bajaj motorcycles get cash discounts, extended warranty under festive season offer

The invitation states:

We wrote history. Now we will write the future. We are proud to invite you to humara kal (Our tomorrow).

Do note that Rakesh Sharma, Director, Bajaj Auto, had said in an interview in February this year that the Urbanite electric vehicle brand would arrive within 9 months, and the company seems to be right on schedule. Sharma had also confirmed in the same interview that the new electric vehicle brand would be distributed through an all-new network of dealerships that would be built from scratch.

Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director - Bajaj Auto had hinted at a Tesla-like electric two-wheeler, and thus we’re sure the company has some big surprises lined up with the Urbanite brand. Spy images from the past have revealed features like LED lighting, backlit switchgear (a feature already seen on Bajaj motorcycles) and retro styling. Leaked sketches of the scooter revealed a circular shape for the instrument console. We expect to see a full-digital unit, most likely with Bluetooth connectivity as a standard feature. A USB charger will also be a part of the package.

The hardware specifications will include a single-sided front suspension with anti-dive function. The scooter will ride on multi-spoke alloy wheels that will be wrapped in tubeless tyres. We could see steel wheels on the base variant. Anchoring department will comprise a disc brake at the front, although it will be interesting to see if Bajaj Auto offers rear disc as standard – a feature that’s already seen on several electric scooters that are sold in the Indian market.

What will be the products called? A report from May this year claimed that Bajaj Auto has shortlisted three names for its upcoming scooters - Chetak, Legend and Stride. Do note that the company’s scooter portfolio will not be limited to electric vehicles. Several test mules of petrol-powered Bajaj scooters were spotted in the past, and they could also arrive very soon.

KTM E-SX side — Apart from the Urbanite brand, Bajaj Auto is also working with KTM to introduce performance electric motorcycles. [Image for representation only.]

Also Read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 gets an INR 10,001 price hike

In other updates, Bajaj Auto is also working with KTM to develop performance electric two-wheelers. These models from the Indo-Austrian partnership will arrive by 2022.

[Leaked Sketches Source: BikeWale.com]