The Bajaj Platina is a 100 cc motorcycle manufactured by Bajaj Auto. It was launched in April 2006 at an ex-showroom price of ₹35,000 and passed 500,000 sales within eight months. A 125 DTS-Si variant with the engine of the XCD followed in September 2007, but it was discontinued after selling more than 30,000 units a month.
Bajaj Platina at a glance
| Maker | Bajaj Auto, India |
|---|---|
| Class | Commuter motorcycle |
| Launched | April 2006 |
| Price at launch | ₹35,000 ex-showroom |
| Engine | 100 cc, derived from the CT 100 |
| Technology | ExhausTec resonator |
| Top speed | about 91 km/h |
| 0–60 km/h | 7.89 seconds |
| City economy | 72 km/l |
| Highway economy | more than 80 km/l |
| 125 variant | 125 DTS-Si, September 2007 |
| Award | NDTV Profit Bike India 100 cc bike of the year, 2007 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Platina.
History of the Bajaj Platina
Launch and sales
The Platina went on sale in April 2006 at ₹35,000 ex-showroom. It was an immediate success: more than 500,000 were sold in the first eight months. Bajaj positioned it as a comfortable and economical 100 cc commuter rather than a sporty machine.
Design
The Platina’s body design was the same as that of the Bajaj Kawasaki Wind 125, which had been launched in late 2003. The riding position was more relaxed and upright than those of its rivals in the 100 cc class. Bajaj later added a model called the Platina ES Comfortec to the range.
Engine and economy
The engine came from another Bajaj 100 cc bike, the CT 100, but was fitted with Bajaj’s ExhausTec technology. The result was a frugal unit that felt less stressed at high speed than other engines in the class. The Platina could reach about 91 km/h and accelerated from 0 to 60 km/h in 7.89 seconds. In city traffic it returned 72 km per litre; on the highway, ridden at economy speeds, more than 80 km per litre.
The 125 variant
In September 2007 Bajaj added a 125 DTS-Si variant using the same engine as the XCD. It sold more than 30,000 units a month but was later discontinued, leaving the 100 cc Platina as the mainstay of the line.
Design and features
- ExhausTec engine: the CT 100 unit with a resonator for stronger low-speed torque.
- Upright riding position: more relaxed than most 100 cc rivals.
- Low fuel consumption: 72 km/l in the city and over 80 km/l on the highway.
- Comfortable ride: a plush suspension set-up that did not sacrifice handling.
- Award-winning: named 100 cc bike of the year by NDTV Profit Bike India in 2007.
Bajaj Platina versions
- Platina 100 (2006): the original 100 cc model.
- Platina 125 DTS-Si (2007): larger engine shared with the XCD, later discontinued.
- Platina ES Comfortec: a later version of the 100 cc bike.
The Platina’s engine came from the Bajaj CT 100, and its 125 cc variant used the engine of the Bajaj XCD. More models are in the Bajaj collection.
Sources
- Bajaj Platina, English Wikipedia: launch, design, performance, award
