Bajaj Auto’s quadricycle four-wheeler Qute might be finally launched in the Indian market after a long wait of five years.
Yes, you read it right. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification, which has approved the quadricycle as a vehicle category.
Bajaj Auto showcased the Qute in India at the 2012 Auto Expo christened as RE60. But after that, the launch was delayed due to various rules and regulations in India. But finally, the mini four-wheeler has got the green signal, and we can expect the launch in the coming months.
If everything goes to plan, the Bajaj Qute could be launched by the end of the current fiscal year. But before the launch, the Qute should undergo a test conducted by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) as it is common to all the vehicles in the country.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification and has approved the quadricycle category. But there is a 30-day window for any objections or suggestions. After this interval, Bajaj can go ahead and test the vehicle in India.
Powering the Bajaj Qute is a 200cc water-cooled, triple spark, single cylinder engine producing 13bhp and 19.6Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed sequential gearbox. The quadricycle returns a claimed mileage of 36kpl.
The Bajaj Qute has already undergone Global NCAP crash tests where it scored a one-star rating. The Qute received a good rating for side impact. But the frontal protection was rated as poor. But still, a one-star rating for such a vehicle is commendable.
As per industry sources, with the draft notification, the government has indicated its move to go ahead with the quadricycle mode of transport. This would even result in other automakers entering the segment. If reports are to be believed, Mahindra is also considering to enter the quadricycle segment.
After five years of its debut, the Bajaj Qute finally gets the green light from the government. Bajaj already retails the Qute in several foreign markets. But due to various complications, the launch was delayed in India. Now, the stage is set for the introduction of the most affordable four-wheeler in India.