Bajaj Auto Lite concept

Bajaj names the car as 'Lite' which is silently unveiled two days before the much hyped 'Tata Nano' at the Auto Expo.

The Tatas' Rs 1-lakh car seems to be posing a challenge to two-wheeler major Bajaj even before it is on the road. A study has indicated the two wheeler sales are sure to see an erosion once Ratan Tata's dream Rs 1-lakh car is launched. This indeed has made India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer Baja Auto to seriously consider entering the passenger car market. The proposed vehicle will be fitted with a 500-600cc engine and will be available in diesel, petrol and compressed natural gas versions, according to a report which elaborated on Bajaj's plans.Bajaj is not alone as opportunity calls for innovation. The Kolkata-based company Global Automobiles has reportedly announced a tied up with China's Guangzhou Motors, to roll out a low-cost car. When asked about the new car, Bajaj Auto MD designate Rajiv Bajaj told that "it wont be tough to make a car for Rs 1 lakh. The tough part will be making money out of it. "You have to make the car and make money as well," Bajaj names the car as 'Lite' which is silently unveiled two days before the much hyped 'Tata Nano' at the Auto Expo. The car is likely to be priced at around $3,000 (Rs 117,000).The first comment on the small is that it is stylish and cute. The design of the car is breath taking. Coming to the technical features the car is likely to run on a twin cylinder engine which will be powerful enough for the day today needs. 4 speed manual gear box, standard safety features, A/C etc... are expected on the car. The car comes with no power steering. Front drum and rear disk breaks will give enough control while driving.The Tata offering is expected to hit the roads in September or October this year. Bajaj's car will be ready for commercial production a bit later than Tata Nano.

A quick look what what the Bajaj lite concept offers:
Launch date is expected to be a couple of years down the line - so no, we are not going to see Bajaj's small car battling it out with Tata's small car on the streets of India.Expected fuel efficiency of the Bajaj Lite is 35 kmpl. That is higher than the rumoured fuel efficiency of the Tata small car which is 25 kmpl. The Tata small car is expected to cost Rs 1.25 lakhs - when it is out on the streets. That day is not too far away. But the Bajaj car is gonna be a long time coming.

The Bajaj Lite concept will offer a pterol and a diesel engine. So is that 35 kmpl for every liter of diesel or petrol? No answers yet. If you know the answer, please add it in comments below.According to Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Baja Auto, the car will have a transmission which is unique in that it won't be an automatic transmission or a geared vehicle but something in between. Discussions are going on with Renault for mass production of the Bajaj Lite.The price which renault is targeting for the small car is $ 3000, which translates to Rs 1,17,000 at current exchange rates. But this is just a figure - production costs and exchange rates boith could change massively by the time the car is ready for production.