New affordable version of Bajaj Freedom CNG bike expected to be launched next year

Business: Bajaj has recently unveiled India’s first CNG motorcycle Bajaj Freedom CNG bike. The price of Bajaj Freedom CNG bike starts at Rs 94,995, ex-showroom. Now, rumours have indicated that the company may soon bring an affordable version of the CNG bike to the market. Test models of the affordable version of the Freedom bike have been spotted several times on the roads. The company has taken several measures to make the bike affordable. Also, the company plans to launch it at the end of the financial year or around February/March 2025. Looking at the price of the Bajaj Freedom CNG bike, which starts at Rs 94,995, ex-showroom, the affordable version is likely to be cheaper than this price.

To make the bike more accessible, the company has taken several steps and made several changes to keep costs under control. The changes include a halogen unit instead of an LED unit for the headlight. The headlight bracket also seems new. Meanwhile, the wrap around the telescopic fork has been replaced with fork gaiters. There are also new fenders and longer splatter guards that will offer better protection from rainwater splashing out of the tyres. The bike has been revealed through hidden test modules to have a single-tone colour instead of the graphics heavy colours present on the current bike. The company may also cut down on the feature list. It is expected to have a basic instrument cluster instead of an all-digital display with Bluetooth connectivity like the current model. It is also likely to have a part analogue and part digital cluster. The rest of the bike is likely to remain the same. Be it the chassis or the 125cc engine that makes 9.3bhp at 8,000rpm and 9.7Nm at 6,000rpm. It is paired to a five-speed gearbox. With a more affordable CNG bike, Bajaj hopes to make more inroads into the commuter motorcycle space and position the Freedom as a more cost-effective alternative to petrol-powered motorcycles.