Between an autorickshaw and a car, but on LPG!

©  autocarpro.inAffordable like a motorbike, practical like a car – a vehicle like this makes all the sense in a country when few can still afford a proper automobile

Bridging the gap

While vehicles hovering somewhere between two- and fourwheelers aren't exactly new to the Indian automotive market, until recently they were closer to motorcycles than cars, taking the form of iconic autorickshaws. Popular as they have been, they aren't very practical due to lack of doors and windows or particularly safe (they only have three wheels), but that's where quadricycles step in to take over! Conceptually much closer to cars, they still offer the running costs of motorcycles, especially when they are fueled with LPG rather than petrol.

Reinventing the four wheels

Developed by Bajaj Auto as an entirely new category of vehicles, Qute quadricycles were first shown to the public as far back as in 2012. However, they were only approved as a separate type of vehicles on June 5, 2018, and are now headed for mass production and sales. Nearly 3700 of them have been exported overseas prior to that date, but Bajaj Auto believes their true potential will be untapped in the domestic market. And autogas isn't the only powertrain option that tickles our fancy – the Qute will also be available in CNG-powered version. Others include an EV variant, to be introduced at a later date. Prices are said to start from approx. 150 thousand Rs.

The Qute is a modern, comfortable, safe and cost-effective solution. We think that primarily it will grow by organising the informal market. The Qute has the potential of motivating new drivers and owners to enter business (become self-employed) than perhaps other vehicles in this segment. To some extent, there could be some substitution effect but will be smaller than the expansion effect.

Rakesh Sharma, president – International Business, Bajaj Auto

A one hit wonder?

We can't help but wonder if the Qute will remain in a class of its own or if other manufacturers will follow and develop similar quadricycles. Much depends on how well the trailblazing newcomer fares in the market, but here are some basic rules to be met by such vehicles: they must weigh in at no more than 475 kg, pass newly developed crash tests and meet emissions regulations designed especially for them. As for the Qute, it comes equipped with a 217 cm3 petrol engine, generating 13,5 PS and 20 Nm of torque for a limited top speed of 70 km/h. Cute, huh?