Bajaj Auto is in the process of upgrading its existing motorcycles to BS-IV compliant that will come to effect from April 2017. The new Pulsar 220F has been launched in India and next in the pipeline are the entry-level Pulsar 150 and Pulsar 180.
Emerging reports indicate that the launch of 2017 Pulsar 150 and 180 is imminent. Bajaj Auto has already dispatched motorcycles to the dealerships. Both the motorcycles will maintain same design barring minor tweaks such as the addition of the new body graphics and rim lines. Both Pulsar models will get updated instrument cluster with blue backlight instead of the orange backlight.
One of the biggest additions to Pulsar 180 will be the 230mm rear disc brake. Many rivals of Pulsar models currently offer rear disc brakes. Hence, this addition will help Bajaj to reaffirm its presence in the segment with the new Pulsar. There is no clarity whether disc brakes will be offered in 150cc version.
BS-IV complaint 178.6cc air-cooled DTS-i engine in the new Pulsar 180 will develop 16bhp along with 14.22Nm of torque with five-speed gearbox. Pulsar 150 will be powered by 149cc single cylinder, DTS-i engine developing 15bhp at 9,000rpm and 12.5Nm of torque at 6,500rpm mated to five-speed gearbox.
Apart from the updates for Pulsar range, Bajaj Auto will also launch its flagship product, Kratos VS400, in November. Kratos VS400 is the production version of Pulsar CS400 concept showcased at the Auto Expo 2014. Kratos VS400 is Bajaj Auto's take on cruiser sport segment that sits above the company's Avenger range and competes against the Royal Enfield range of motorcycles.
Kratos VS400 is expected to be powered by a 373cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve triple-spark, fuel-injected mill mated to six-speed transmission. The engine is expected to pump in a power of 40bhp and 30Nm of peak torque. Kratos VS400 is also rumoured to get a base variant with 34bhp of power.
