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Tata Motors secretly working on quadricycles, project codenamed ‘Bravo’

Back in 2013, when Bajaj Auto showcased the RE60 quadricycle, Tata Motors didn’t seem very convinced by the idea to follow suit. Tata reckoned that the idea, though seemingly feasible, wasn’t scoring very highly on safety standards. But, fast-forward to 2015 and India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, is to be secretly working on the very idea they did not believe in, two years ago. The project codenamed ‘Bravo’, will see Tata Motors designing and developing a quadricycle, possibly with a new petrol heart to power it. The new quadricycle could very well be based on the company’s Iris light commercial vehicle platform (Tata Ace platform).

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The new quadricycle will be based on a similar platform to the Magic Iris’.

The main aim behind the development of a quadricycle by the various manufacturers, is to get rid of the auto-rickshaw’s currently plying on Indian roads. These inter-city light passenger/goods vehicles aren’t terribly safe and hence, the strategic move to something with a bit more metal in its construction, i.e. quadricycles. Bajaj Auto was the first to pounce on this opportunity, with its RE60 quadricycle. The RE60 was developed by Bajaj Auto at a cost of Rs. 550 crore and the company is currently in the lead, in this race of quadricycles. Bajaj Auto and Tata Motors aren’t alone in this race, though, Mahindra & Mahindra and Piaggio are also eyeing this segment with delectable interest.

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Bajaj Auto’s RE60 comes powered with a 220cc 4-valve engine and a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Tata Motors’ own quadricycle could be plying our roads by 2018, but that’s not yet confirmed by the company. Project ‘Bravo’ is still in its early stages and the product is still some time away from actual fruition. Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto seems to be ahead in this game of “Catch me if you can”, with its RE60 well under way to hitting our tattered roads, soon. The bikemaker has already got things in order at its Aurangabad plant.

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We may finally get rid of these ugly things from our roads.

According to pre-defined government regulations, quadricycles are limited to a top speed of 70 km/h, quicker than today’s auto-rickshaw’s, but still not blistering in its pace. But, considering the safety considerations of these light vehicles (these quads will weigh around 500 kg), the speed restrictions seem legit. Most of us will be quite happy when those wretched auto-rickshaws finally bid goodbye, for good. These quadricycles, though not vastly safer than their 3-wheeled cousins, do promise more comfort and better insulation from outside elements. Oh, they also look slightly better and has 4 wheels, instead of the silly 3, found in today’s rickshaws. Tell us what you think of these upcoming quadricycles and type out your opinions in the comments section.

Source – Business Standard

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