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Bajaj’s Platina LPG and Sonic Review

Bajaj Auto is expected to roll out the new LPG version of its recently launched 100cc Platina bike very soon. The new Platina LPG from Bajaj will be powered by both LPG and petrol. Bajaj auto has kept the option of petrol in the Platina in order to prevent the loss of sales occurring from lack of refueling stations in all parts of India rather than completely moving to LPG. Apart from the Platina, Bajaj is also expected to roll out its much hyped bike “Sonic”. The Sonic was featured in 2006 but the new version of the bike to be released this year will have a two stroke engine with a new technique of Direct Ignition (DI).

The new Platina from Bajaj comes with a 10 liter petrol tank along with a 5 kg LPG cylinder. The new LPG bike will have exactly the same features in terms of designing except for the tank with the petrol. The tank has been modified slightly to accommodate the extra LPG kit. Reports suggest that Bajaj Auto is importing some of the components required to build the LPG kits from some Italian suppliers.

Moreover, Bajaj auto has incorporated all of the ‘‘requisite safety features’’ to meet the safety issues that are required to take care of events like cylinder overheating and leakage of gas cylinders. Bajaj auto has been testing near about 50 units of the new Platina LPG which is expected to run both on petrol and LPG in regions of Sagnli and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Regarding the prices, the Platina LPG is nearly expected to cost five thousand rupees more than the Platina petrol variant.

The expected on-road price of the Platina LPG in Delhi will be around Rs.40, 000 only. The exact time frame for the lunch of new Platina LPG have not been yet confirmed from Bajaj. Although the cost of the Platina LPG is slightly more, Bajaj states that the running costs of the Platina LPG will be 35-40 per cent lower than the petrol powered variant of the Platina. Besides, it is expected that a customer having fuel spend of Rs.1000 per month would be able to save more than Rs.400 per month if he owns a Bajaj Platina LPG.

Furthermore, the new Sonic from Bajaj Auto boasts of having the all new Direct Injection technique which makes it eligible to successfully comply with all types of stringent emission norms. This helps the Sonic to satisfy all its mileage conscious customers. The two-stroke Direct Injection technique (TSDI) is produced from the joint venture of Ucal Fuel Systems (one of the suppliers of Bajaj) and Orbit Corporation which is the maker of two stroke Direct Ignition. The Sonic with the help of the new TSDI can produce a huge 10PS of power through its 100cc engine and making it the same fuel efficient as in case of four stroke bikes. Bajaj expects to rock this 100cc segment with its aggressive pricing of the TSDI enabled Sonic. The test making of the Sonic is currently being done at Pune, Maharashtra.