Bajaj Auto has revealed the first detail of its basic motoring, the RE60 ahead of the opening day of Delhi Autoshow 2012. The "car" is set to be latest India's answer to the current needs for safe, convenient and economical form of modern transportation. So "out-of-the-box" is the concept that Bajaj MD, Rajiv Bajaj said the RE60 is not a car, but a "four-wheeler" transport. The concept was first shown in Delhi 2008 Auto Expo.
RE60 is constructed based on a monocoque metal polymer hybrid structure which contribute to lightweight 400kg overall kerb weight. The 4 seater is 2,752mm long, 1,312mm wide and 1,650mm tall. It has seating for four occupants.
The dashboard is as basic as it can get, with central mounted meter. The gear level is mounted high up, just beneath the meter panel. As the RE60 is targeted primarily for commercial sector, the fare meter is integrated within the dashboard too. Speaking of the commercial sector, Bajaj Auto aimed to displace the three-wheeler auto rickshaw, but with an added safety in the forms of proper enclosed cabin.
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| Minimalist equipment, simple transmission, non-textured plastic drive the cost down. Door pocket taken care by the net |
The no-frills cabin states the firm intent of low-cost, but sufficiently equipped where it matter the most. The dashboard for instance, has a storage space on both side of the meter. More storage space, suitable for auto rickshaw kind of storage, is within the cabin. With all seats up, and due to the rear-mounted engine, boot space is limited to meager 44L. However, further 7L is available under the hood. With rear seat folded, 400L is available (slightly less than the volume of enclosed Proton Saga BLM).
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| Flat seat, but belted. Notice flat metal panel to reduce tooling complexity and material susage, Basic door trim |
The need to slash cost means that the side windows don't wind down. Instead, they are split in the middle, with the upper part flipped down. Just like our old days buses. Headrest are missing all around too. Other things deemed unnecessary include headlining and seat belt inertia reel. More photo and detail after the jump.
