Bajaj Qute Explained

Bajaj Qute
Manufacturer:Bajaj Auto
Aka:Bajaj RE60
Production:2019–present
Class:Quadricycle (According to India's classification system) and L7e Quadricycle (According to Europe's classification system)
Body Style:4-door hatchback
Layout:Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Transmission:5-speed sequential manual
Wheelbase:19521NaN1
Length:27521NaN1
Width:13121NaN1
Height:16521NaN1
Weight:400kg (900lb)
Designer:Bajaj Auto

The Bajaj Qute (known as Bajaj RE60 during its unveiling in 2012) is a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, four-passenger India-classified quadricycle[1] [2] (similar category to the L7e Quadricycle subcategory found in EU-classified quadricycle norms) built by the Indian company Bajaj Auto and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market. The Bajaj Qute was the first four-wheeler manufactured by Bajaj Auto. It was unveiled on 3 January 2012[3] and production started in 2019.

On 22 May 2013, the Government of India legally classified it as a 'quadricycle'.[1] As a result, it is electronically speed-limited to 70 km/h, and as of now, is only allowed to be used for commercial purposes as an alternative to auto rickshaws.[4]

When the Bajaj Qute was brought to Europe, it was classified as an L7e Quadricycle.

History

In 2010, Bajaj Auto announced its partnership with Renault and Nissan Motor to develop a car, aiming at a fuel-efficiency of (3.3 L/100 km), or twice an average small car, and carbon dioxide emissions of 100 g/km.[5] [6] [7]

Bajaj Auto first unveiled the Bajaj Qute as the RE60 on 3 January 2012, at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi.[8] Bajaj Auto was best known for scooters and three-wheel auto-rickshaws, and is India's second-largest two-wheeled vehicle maker and is a world leader in three-wheeled vehicles. The Qute is Bajaj's first foray into the four-wheel market. At its unveiling, the company announced that the car had high fuel efficiency of 35km/L and low carbon dioxide emissions.[9]

With a fare meter included in the base model's dashboard, the firm is targeting auto-rickshaw drivers by offering a four wheeler as economical to run as a three-wheeler, but safer and more comfortable.[10]

Technical specifications

The Qute is powered by a 217-cc single cylinder engine with a capability to generate power output of . It has a metal-polymer monocoque body, it weighs 400kg (900lb), and its turning radius is 3.5m (11.5feet). Its top speed is 70km/h.[11]

Safety

The Qute in its standard European market configuration received 1 star in the Euro NCAP Quadricycle Ratings in 2016.[12]

Plans

Bajaj Auto plans to roll out 5,000 units/month of its much-delayed four-seater 'quadricycle' Qute from its Aurangabad Plant[13] and it is to be priced between 1.25 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to allow operation of quadricycles as passenger vehicles, besides commercial use. They have allowed 16-year-olds to drive only quadricycles.

In 2019, Qute finally got all approvals for Indian roads after six years of legal fights and regulatory impediments. The governments of 22 states have approved it and already plying on the roads of six of those states: Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.[14]

In popular culture

A Bajaj Qute appears in the 2022 American romantic comedy film The Lost City, where it is used by the main characters before being destroyed.[15]

See also

Tata Nano (2008) – A remarkably small and cheap actual 4-door car, developed and offered by Tata Motors.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Quadricycle Diaries . Suveen K. . Sinha . Business Today . The India Today Group . 2013-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004444/https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/cover-story/rajiv-bajaj-bajaj-group-plan-and-future/story/198329.html . 2018-06-15 .
  2. News: RE 60: Bajaj Auto unveils first four-wheeler; plans to target over 5 mn 3-wheelers. 4 January 2012. The Economic Times. 4 January 2012.
  3. News: Bajaj RE60: Target audience of rickshaw drivers offer their review. 4 January 2012. NDTV. 4 January 2012.
  4. Web site: Indian government releases draft notification on Quadricycles; Advantage Bajaj RE 60 - Indian Cars Bikes . Indiancarsbikes.in . 2014-07-19 . 13 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140713073529/http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/commercial-vehicles/indian-government-releases-draft-notification-quadricycles-advantage-bajaj-re-60-73996/ . dead .
  5. Web site: How green is my low-cost car? India revs up debate . ENN . 2008-06-19 . 2010-11-24.
  6. Web site: Bajaj small car may cost Rs 1.1 lakh - News - Zigwheels . Timesofindia.zigwheels.com . 2010-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100530035307/http://www.timesofindia.zigwheels.com/News/Bajaj-small-car-may-cost-Rs-11-lakh/Bajaj_20100526-1-1 . 30 May 2010 . dead . dmy-all .
  7. News: RE60 developed in 4 years. 4 January 2012. The Times of India. 4 January 2012.
  8. Web site: 2012 Auto Expo - Bajaj RE60 unveiled. 3 January 2012. Moneycontrol.com. 5 January 2012.
  9. Web site: RE60: Bajaj Auto unveils Tata Nano rival. 3 January 2012. TruthDrive. 5 January 2012 . Kanchana . Devi . https://web.archive.org/web/20120121065755/http://truthdive.com/2012/01/03/re60-bajaj-auto-unveils-tata-nano-rival.html . 2012-01-21. usurped.
  10. Web site: A Foothold Market -- In Rickshaws . Forbes.com . 2011-01-13.
  11. Web site: Upcoming Bajaj RE60 Car in India, Expected Launch Dates, Price. cartrade.com. 2015-10-12. 12 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151003102650/http://www.cartrade.com/bajaj-cars/re60. 3 October 2015. dead.
  12. Web site: Test Results : Bajaj Qute Petrol, 4 seat heavy quadricycle. PDF. Cdn.euroncap.com. 20 July 2022.
  13. News: Bajaj Auto plans to roll out 5,000 units of RE-60. The Economic Times . economictimes.com . 2013-04-14.
  14. Web site: Bajaj Qute hits Indian roads after a six-year battle . 2022-08-31 . Financialexpress . en.
  15. Web site: Sandra Bullock can't quite find romcom magic in 'The Lost City' . Thomas . Rob . 23 March 2022 . captimes.com . . 24 March 2022 .