Bajaj Qute

January 5, 2021: Bajaj Qute an alternate to the quintessential auto-rickshaw that comes with four wheels and fuel-efficient engine. Qute is an attempt by Bajaj Auto to further expand India’s three-wheeler market by a compelling product that offers more value at an affordable price. Qute has created a new category of ‘Quadricycle’ in India starting from ₹ 2.65 Lakh(ex-showroom, New Delhi). 

Bajaj Qute USPs: Qute is highly fuel-efficient, offering competitive operating performance, comfortable to the drive, easy to navigate through challenging terrain, and strong durability as one of its key characters. The Qute is suitable for intra-city travel, easy to the driver through India’s tough roads. It is available in petrol and CNG powertrains. 

Bajaj Qute Engine: Qute comes with a maximum speed of 70 kmph, with the engine producing 10hp of power on CNG and 13hp on petrol with torque levels of 16 and 18.9, respectively. It is fitted with a 5-speed gearbox, The seating capacity is driver plus 3-passengers. 

Bajaj Qute Dimensions: In dimensions, the length of 2752 mm, width 1312 mm, height 1652 mm, wheelbase 1925 mm. The turning circle radius is 3.5 m for better turn-around. Explore this promising vehicle, compare and check the details before you head to the Bajaj dealership to explore it in person.

Overview

Qute is an innovative four-wheeler from India's prominent two-wheeler and auto-rickshaw makers-Bajaj Auto. India's first quadricycle- Qute, is designed and developed as a solid, safer and fuel-efficient alternative to our quintessential three-wheeler. Qute offer less power and a much lower maximum speed than a conventional small car. Qute is ideal for intra city travel. Some of the key characteristics of this last-mile people carrier are extremely fuel-efficient, quiet pocket friendly in maintenance, easy and effortless to drive and a strong vehicle that protects from extreme weather conditions. 

Bajaj Auto, through disruptive innovation, has positioned Qute as a strong alternative to the 3-wheeler. Qute is a path-breaking vehicle in India's auto world with its unique offering combines weight, power, and speed, making it the most fuel-efficient vehicle. Bajaj Auto claims the official mileage figure of 43 km/kg – much higher than the conventional vehicle available today. What's more? Qute is user friendly, quite comparable to the existing 3-wheeler, hence suitable for daily city usage just like a regular three-wheeler. Can you go for it? Not sure? Read further as we reveal everything about this disruptive product in this review.

Exterior & Interior

 Well, honestly, you haven't seen anything like the Qute on Indian road before. Qute is evidently a unique looking vehicle, obviously because we don't have quadricycle selling in India before. It is the first one with its own design language and visual appeal. Design for intra city transportation Qute doesn't look like a typical car or a three-wheeler; it has got a new design angle quite distinctively of its own. 

Qute resemble a car but looks a lot different. It has a solid roof and windows, unlike an auto-rickshaw for the occupant's safety during rains or hot summers. Flat floor, higher leg room, easy to get in and out of the cabin, ample seating capacity. Qute has a high strength monocoque body with impact-resistant plastic closures and a capped speed of 70 kmph to ensure safety. In terms of dimensions, the length is 2752 mm, width 1312 mm and height 1652 mm. This wheelbase is 1925 mm, and the turning circle radius is 3.5m for quick navigation in traffic or parking in congested spaces.

Qute has dash-mounted sequential shift gears that help in effortless and comfortable driving experience. The small size of the vehicle helps in navigating through city traffic and parking in tight spaces. Furthermore, this quadricycle is equipped with wipers and washing systems for better visibility during harsh weather conditions. The vehicle has adequate storage space in the front glove box. Inside the front bonnet, there is a storage capacity of 20 kgs, and there are roof rails with a carrying capacity of additional 40 kgs of luggage.

Performance

Bajaj Auto has done extensive & rigorously tests on multiple parameters, terrain, and weather conditions in India of Qute. From Rajasthan's hot deserts to the Himalayas' cold altitudes, from rural roads to city traffic, Qute has been subjected to over 3.2 million km of testing. These tests check for structural durability, suspension, performance, handling, efficiency and all forms of abuse. Qute is made at a modern manufacturing assembly-line that uses the latest robotics & automation for precision manufacturing. The entire process is supervised and quality checked by expert engineers for superior quality and fit and finish.

The Qute gets a modern and contemporary powertrain comprising diesel and CNG fuel options for higher overall performance. The engine is 216.6 cc with four-stroke, twin spark-ignition, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled. The maximum power is 13.2hp and 18.9Nm of torque on petrol and 11hp and 16.1Nm of torque on CNG; the engines are tuned to a 5-speed sequential manual gearbox. The quadricycle's maximum speed is 70 kmph, the gradeability 18% at 10.2 degrees for CNG and 20 at 11.30 degrees for petrol in first gear. 

Being a passenger carrier, Qute carries a driver and three passengers comfortably. The storage capacity inside the front bonnet is 20 kgs and it can carry 40 kg additionally on the roof rails. Furthermore, sufficient storage space in the front glove box along with foldable rear seats for additional storage.

Safety

Bajaj Auto engineers have worked vigorously to ensure this vehicle is the safest and compliant of all the safety tests. Both the driver and passenger safety is paramount. Hence, Qute has undergone tests to ensure that the vehicle can safely survive the worst road conditions while carrying all kinds of loads, ghats & coastal areas, twists & turns, safety during floods, city manoeuvring, the strength of the roof, seat belt strength, reverse turns in speed, etc. For the safety of the driver and passenger, seat belts are provided as standard equipment. The large size windscreen offers clear visibility while driving for safer driving. Qute is designed, keeping in mind the occupants' safety and the people around it, making it one of the safest vehicles for everybody on city roads.

Verdict

So, Qute is neither a car nor an auto-rickshaw! Yet, it is a robust city people carrier-for personal and commercial use. What goes in favor of this quadricycle? It is a compact, nicely built, safer and highly fuel-efficient vehicle that emits relatively lower pollution. Affordable, easy to drive, reasonable to maintain, overall a good bargain if you are looking for something new and different. Bajaj claims Qute is an excellent alternative to the omnipresent 3W in India. The key USPs of low maintenance cost is easy to drive, all-weather protection to its occupants is safe & spacious and low on CO2 emissions.

Can Qute unseat the highly popular 3W in India to become the ultimate people carrier? Only time will tell. We explored this vehicle in detail, offering you a comprehensive review, now if you're interested, then check out at the nearest Bajaj outlet!