Rajiv Bajaj hints at Pulsar 375 launch during festive season

Bajaj Auto has plans of launching two fully faired Pulsars in the next few months. One of these motorcycles could be a new flagship model in Bajaj's range, in the form of the Pulsar 375. Speaking to the EconomicTimes, Bajaj Auto's Managing Director Mr Rajiv Bajaj hinted of the Pulsar 375 by terming it as the "first super sports bike to be launched in India by any two wheeler company". 

Now, "supersports" is usually a term given to fully faired motorcycles that come with engine capacities near about 1 liter, in an inline-four configuration.  So, by alluding to the supersport term, Mr Bajaj seems to be hinting strongly at the Pulsar 375 (a fully faired model). This motorcycle, due in 2013, could be launched during the Indian festive season, this October.

Details of the other faired Pulsar model remain sketchy at this point in time. Also, Mr Rajiv Bajaj has denied plans of entering the automatic scooter market despite the strong growth shown by the segment. According to him, the big volumes come from the motorcycle space and automatic scooters are yet to find acceptance in the Indian hinterland, where road conditions make motorcycles a better option. 

Coming back to the Pulsar 375, while the full fairing will be a distinguishing factor of this motorcycle, it will use an engine derived from the KTM Duke 390. However, the Pulsar 375 could be positioned below the Duke 390 in terms of pricing, a strategy that Bajaj Auto adopted with the Pulsar 200 NS, which was positioned well under the Duke 200. So, expect a price tag below the 1.8 lakh rupee mark for the flagship product.

One giveaway of this projected pricing is that the spyshots of the motorcycle have showcased telescopic front forks, a factor that indicates that the Pulsar could sit under the Duke 390 (features USD front forks) in terms of positioning. The Pulsar 375 will be the first fully faired motorcycle in Bajaj Auto's history. Features such as projector headlamps and a monoshock rear suspension are likely to make it to the production version. 

The heavily localized motorcycle will be produced at Bajaj Auto's Chakan factory, off Pune. Currently, Bajaj Auto's Chakan factory is operating at a reduced output with the majority of its workforce taking part in a labour strike. Bajaj Auto would be hoping to defuse the situation at Chakan before the onset of the festive season, a time when two wheeler sales peak. To keep production ticking, Bajaj Auto has moved Pulsar production to its Waluj factory, in Aurangabad. 

Spyshot courtesy AutocarIndia