Kratos VS400 and V15-based new bike to spur sales of Bajaj Auto

Bajaj Auto has been recording positive sales riding on models such as new Avenger and V15. Bajaj sold 1.12 million bikes during the six months ended September with 18 per cent growth compared to 12.6 per cent by the industry, according to data shared by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

The company is also targeting huge increase in sales in this financial year with two new launches- Kratos VS400 and a V15-based new motorcycle. "We'll have to see the trends post the festivals if the momentum is sustained. New launches on the V platform and other launches are expected to push Bajaj's market share to 22-23 per cent by the end of this financial year," Business Standard quoted Eric Vas, president (motorcycle business) at Bajaj Auto.

The V brand launched in March has already crossed two lakh sales domestically. The next motorcycle under the V brand is expected to be V40. It will be powered by the same 373cc liquid-cooled engine that powers KTM 390 Duke. Bajaj may continue to use a small amount of metal from the dismantled INS Vikrant on the V40 model. The connection of V with the Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy is the USP for the brand.

Bajaj Auto's flagship product, Kratos VS400, is expected to enter the market in November. Unveiled as Pulsar CS400 concept at Auto Expo 2014, Bajaj took long two and half years to perfect the product.

Kratos 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.