Next V from Bajaj to be a 125 cc commuter - Report

21/11/2016 - 19:05 Bajaj V, Bajaj Neelanjan Chakraborty

Bajaj to continue with its onslaught in the commuter segment with the V brand

A new 125 cc 'Bajaj V12' is in the making, reports MotorOctane. This new commuter motorcycle will help Bajaj expand its share in the lower end of the market where the Honda CB Shine and Hero Glamour dominate.

Bajaj V white rear unveiled — The lower Bajaj V will likely use the 124.6 cc single cylinder mill from the Discover 125.

In an interview last month, Rajiv Bajaj, the MD of Bajaj Auto, speaking of new launches, said that the company would “be firing on all four cylinders,” and one of the cylinders is the 'V' brand.

The V15 not just managed to uplift Bajaj’s hold in the 150 cc segment but also helped resurrect the glory of the INS Vikrant. The Vikrant is independent India’s first aircraft carrier which has helped the country in several battles including the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. A new motorcycle in the range will further enhance the prospect of the V brand.

Rajiv Bajaj at the launch of the V15 was very clear that the V family will remain as a premium commuter. The idea of the V12 checks the right boxes. Expect the bike to be powered by the 124.6 cc single cylinder mill from the Discover 125. The air cooled DTS-i mill produces 11 PS of maximum power at 8,000 rpm and 10.8 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 rpm.

Bajaj V white and black unveiled — The V12 will challenge the Hero Glamour and the Honda CB Shine which have the segment to themselves. Pictured is the 150 cc variant.

The engine in the Discover 125 though is in BSIII state and with the upcoming BSIV emission norms, Bajaj will have to meet the stricter rules. The Bajaj supremo had earlier revealed to several media outlets that the next V will be launched before the end of this calendar year. But with the delay of the Bajaj Dominar 400, the V12 might get pushed to January.

The design language of the bike can be the same as that of the V15. The use of metal from INS Vikrant will ideally continue to be the USP of the upcoming V12, at least till Bajaj’s stock of the metal remains. The V12 may be priced around INR 53,000.

[Source - MotorOctane]