Bajaj Auto, a prominent name in the Indian motorcycle market, is reportedly gearing up to launch its "biggest Pulsar ever" by the end of March 2024. This news has sparked interest among bike enthusiasts and industry watchers, as the Pulsar series has been a flagship line for Bajaj since its inception.
Dominar's Rebadging Speculation
Currently, the Dominar series, particularly the Dominar 400, has not achieved sales figures comparable to those of the Pulsar models. This has led to speculation that Bajaj might strategically rebadge the Dominar 400 as a Pulsar 400, aiming to boost its market presence by leveraging the Pulsar brand's popularity.
Pulsar's Legacy and New Launches
The Pulsar series has long been a staple in the premium commuter segment of the Indian motorcycle market, appealing to both daily commuters and thrill-seekers. Despite the mixed reception of the newer Pulsar 250 platform, larger Pulsars continue to enjoy demand compared to the Dominar lineup. Bajaj Auto's CEO, Rajiv Bajaj, has confirmed the launch of the "biggest Pulsar ever" and hinted at the introduction of six new Pulsar models by the end of the financial year 2023-2024. With four models already launched, the anticipation is building for the remaining two, including the "biggest Pulsar ever."
Engine and Model Speculation
The biggest Pulsar ever could be a new variant in the Pulsar NS or RS series, equipped with a larger engine. Speculations about the engine include options ranging from the existing 250cc engine to KTM's older 373cc or newer 399cc engines. Another possibility is the 398cc engine found in Triumph's new Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. There's also speculation that Bajaj might discontinue the Dominar lineup and integrate the Dominar 400 and 250 models into the Pulsar brand, similar to Mahindra's strategy with its TUV and Bolero brands.
As the end of the financial year approaches, all eyes are on Bajaj Auto to unveil the "biggest Pulsar ever" and potentially reshuffle its model lineup to capitalize on the enduring popularity of the Pulsar brand. Whether the new model will be a rebadged Dominar 400 or an entirely new Pulsar variant remains to be seen, but the launch is sure to create waves in the Indian motorcycle market.