Bajaj Qute quadricycle wants to be a desirable alternative to auto rickshaws and is expected to be priced aggressively at around Rs. 1.2 Lakh
Bajaj Qute was revealed at the 2012 edition of Auto Expo in Greater Noida as RE60 and it had to immediately face hurdles for several years and overcome difficulties in regulatory measures. Finally, the Qute is ready to rock the Indian roads courtesy of a recent amendment from the government of India.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways gave its nod to quadricycle policy and framed certain stipulations. A vehicle will be classified as quadricycle only if has kerb weight less than 475 kilograms and passes newly mandated safety and crash tests as well as clearing emission tests.
The tests are created for different powertrains such petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, hybrid and electric. The safety standards are believed to be more stringent than the European norms for quadricycle category. A notification is expected from the government as soon as all the required clearances are sanctioned by ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India).
Bajaj Auto had been facing tumultuous disapproval from other manufacturers and policy makers but finally, the stage has been set for the Qute to officially make a name for itself. Currently, the Quite is being exported to many global markets and recently the quadricycle has also been expanding its footprint.
Bajaj is riding high with success in the three-wheeler business and the Qute quadricycle could complement its efforts and moreover the company is open to learn from traditional customer’s feedback on the new category of vehicle.
Over 5,000 units were exported last fiscal as Qute is projected to find more traction with doubled sales figures this FY. It is manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility alongside the three-wheelers. It gets powered by a 216 cc single-cylinder water-cooled petrol engine mounted at the rear.
The tiny engine is mated to a four-speed gearbox and the Qute is claimed to have 70 kmph top speed alongside fuel economy of 35 kmpl. The four-seater passenger vehicle can be had in 2+2 or 1+3 configuration and it weighs just 400 kilos. It measures 2.75 m in length, 1.3 m in width and has bootspace capacity of 44 litres.
It is sold at a price of $2,000 in the United States and could be offered in LPG or CNG option in the near future with the potential of an electric powertrain cannot be ruled out either. It is built on a lightweight body shell with high strength steel and plastic closures for resisting impact and could turn out to be a desirable alternative for auto rickshaws.