Delhi Auto Expo 2016: Too expensive to participate, says Rajiv Bajaj

India’s leading motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj Auto has unveiled its highly anticipated all new commuter motorcycle, the “V”.

The Bajaj V, which was showcased in New Delhi today, will be built using the scraped metal obtained from INS Vikrant. The price of the bike will be between Rs.60,000 and Rs.70,000. The Bajaj V bike, launching on Feb 1, is made from INS Vikrant metal.

Senior company executives stated that the V will start a new category in the commuter bike segment. Eric Vas, President, Bajaj Motorcycles, said, “After the news to dismantle INS Vikrant came in 2014, we chose to do something about it. INS Vikrant is a symbol of India’s military power projection and Bajaj wanted to remind the nation, and also remember, INS Vikrant’s story”. Considering the fact that commuters buy 125cc bikes, things were kept things simple. while approaching this market albeit with a good product and a good story.

The bike sports a 55/60 watts trapezoidal headlamp-the company says that is 60% brighter than rival offerings. The Bajaj V is powered by a new 150cc DTS-i twin-spark engine, which is tuned for low-end torque, develops 11.76bhp at 7500rpm and 13Nm at 5500rpm to straddle both 125 and 150cc segments. Valor is introduced with a stylised removable rear seat cow, which can be detached to seat the pillion. The Bajaj V, which interestingly incorporates steel from the renowned Indian aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, will be a “solid commuter” motorcycle, said Vas. The V15, available in Ebony Black and Pearl White colours, comes with a beefier 33 mm front fork with a dust cover.