Bajaj Auto launched V15 in March this year and has been receiving positive market response since its launch. In the four months, the bike made with the metal of dismantled INS Vikrant has recorded sales of over one lakh units. Buoyed by the response there were reports that Bajaj is working on V20 and V40 variants. Emerging reports indicates, instead of higher capacity variants Bajaj Auto is working on 125cc motorcycle based on the V platform.
It was reported that V platform is designed for commuter segment hence it will get sub 150cc sibling only. The new 125cc motorcycle will be called V12 or V125 reports MotorOctane. Bajaj may continue to use a small amount of metal from the dismantled INS Vikrant on the purported model. The connection of V with the Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy is a USP for the brand. The motorcycle is expected to come with a more relaxed driving position than V. The removable rear cowl, a unique feature of V, is also expected to be part of V12. ABS is expected as standard since it will be made mandatory soon in India.
The V12 is expected to share engine from the Discover family. Bajaj Discover is powered by 124.6cc single cylinder DTS-I engine that develops 10bhp at 8000rpm and 10.8Nm of torque at 5500rpm mated to five-speed gearbox. The numbers may get tweaked for the V12. The new motorcycle will be priced around Rs 9,000 lesser than the V15. In that case, it will have an on road price between Rs 63,000 to Rs 70,000.
