Bajaj To Revive Chetak Name Under Urbanite; Details Revealed

It was seen keeping up with us until 70kmph

[UPDATE : Bajaj Urbanite Electric Sub-Brand Launched In India; Showcases Chetak e-Scooter]

The scooter comes with a retro design language. Our sources reveal it will be launched post monsoon this year. It is likely to carry the Chetak name. Rolls on what appears to be 12-inch wheels with a single-sided swingarm. Comes with a disc brake up front and a drum unit at the rear.

Bajaj Urbanite’s first electric scooter offering has been spied testing again. This comes in just after a week after the brand was seen testing its scooter for the first time. According to our colleague, the electric scooter was able to keep up with him at about 70kmph. It goes to show that the scooter is capable of offering proper performance all the while retaining a retro design theme. Speaking to a few sources within the company, we have come to understand that Bosch is majorly involved in the development of this scooter and it is likely to be called the Chetak.

The scooter’s design language certainly seems to be a nod at the legendary Chetak, which was Bajaj’s bread and butter model back in the late 80s and early 90s. The body panels are quite curvaceous. A lockable apron storage compartment is also visible. Going by how coherently it gels with the overall design, we expect it to be offered as standard. The pillion footpegs seem to be hinged on the floorboard side extensions just like how it is on the Honda Activa 5G. Expect the instrument cluster to be a fully digital unit and both the headlamp and tail light are likely to be LED.

The rear features a rather large pillion grab handle. The seat is a single-piece unit and there appears to be some sort of test equipment mounted on the pillion portion. A centre stand is also visible, and the wheels appear to be 12-inch alloy units. Up front, it employs a single-sided suspension like how it is in the Vespa scooters. A single shock absorber is likely at the rear. The single-sided swingarm would make the removal of the wheel a lot easier in case of a puncture. Moreover, there’s no exhaust to impede the removal of the wheel either.

Also Read: Bajaj Dominar 400 Gets New Touring Accessories

With Bosch's technical prowess when it comes to electric mobility solutions, the Chetak is likely to have a sound powertrain setup. Expect it to come with a reasonably powerful brushless DC (BLDC) motor linked to a belt drive. The battery pack is most likely to be a lithium unit.

Bajaj will be launching the electric scooter after the monsoons. As far as pricing is concerned, our sources have revealed that the upcoming electric scooter will be on par with the Ather. It perhaps might undercut the Ather by a small extent but will not be as affordable as the other run-of-the-mill electric scooters. It is possible that Bajaj might price it at around Rs 1.1 lakh (on-road).