A more affordable variant of the Bajaj Chetak has been spotted ahead of its official launch. This new variant is expected to be the most cost-effective offering in the Chetak lineup, aiming to make electric mobility more accessible to a wider audience.
Design and Features
The spotted Chetak variant appears to retain the same body panels as its predecessors, but with a few noticeable changes. The scooter was seen in a solid blue color, a departure from the shimmery, metallic colors seen on the higher variants.
The new variant also features steel wheels, which are more cost-effective than the alloy wheels found on the Chetak Premium and Urbane variants. The braking system has also been revised, with the new variant sporting a drum brake setup at both ends, replacing the disc brake at the front seen on the top-spec scooter.
In terms of storage, the lockable glove box behind the front apron has been replaced with two open storage cubbies, which seem deep enough to store small items like a phone or a wallet. The ignition system has also been simplified, with a physical ignition key replacing the keyless ignition system found on the premium Chetaks.
Display and Performance
The new Chetak variant features a monochrome LCD display, replacing the TFT display seen on the premium variants. This is a throwback to the display that debuted on the scooter when it was first launched.
While there is no official information about the powertrain, rumors suggest that the low-cost Chetak may not be as powerful as the other variants. However, it’s possible that Bajaj may use the Chetak Urbane variant’s battery and motor in this low-cost offering. The Urbane variant has a 2.9 kWh battery that has a claimed range of 113 km and a top speed of 73 kmph.
Pricing and Competition
The current Bajaj Chetak is available in two variants – Premium and Urbane, priced at Rs 1.47 lakh and Rs 1.23 lakh respectively. The new, more affordable variant is expected to be priced around Rs 1 lakh4, making it a competitive offering in a segment where the cost of the electric scooter is a significant factor.
Upon launch, this cheaper Bajaj Chetak variant will rival the likes of the Ola S1 X+, Ather Rizta, TVS iQube, and Simple Dot One.
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