The Bajaj Spirit is a scooterette manufactured in India by Bajaj Auto. It is powered by a two-stroke, 60 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine and has a two-speed automatic transmission with kick or electric starting. It was launched in 1999 and aimed at the youth market.
Bajaj Spirit at a glance
| Maker | Bajaj Auto, India |
|---|---|
| Class | Scooterette |
| Launched | 1999 |
| Engine | 60 cc two-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled |
| Transmission | two-speed automatic |
| Starting | kick and electric |
| Price | about ₹27,000 |
| Fuel economy | about 35–43 km/l |
| Body versions | rectangular and later smiling headlamp |
| Award | best scooter and best indigenous vehicle, Overdrive, 2000 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Spirit.
History of the Bajaj Spirit
The Spirit was launched in 1999 and marketed at young buyers; Bajaj described it as ideal for college students and noted that its light weight also suited women riders. The main selling point was its two-speed automatic transmission. Naushad Forbes and co-authors date the launch to January 2000, and the Spirit was one of eighteen models Bajaj Auto introduced in eighteen months after eighteen years with a single model.
The scooterette used an all-aluminium 60 cc two-stroke engine. Bajaj listed superior gradeability for steep terrain, an anti-dive system for safer braking, hydraulic front dampers, softer rear suspension for the pillion and a convenient turning radius for city traffic. It had electric start and was priced at about ₹27,000.
Two body versions were sold: an early one with a rectangular headlamp and a later one with a smiling headlamp. Fuel consumption was expected to be about 35–43 km per litre. In 2000 the Spirit won Overdrive’s awards for best scooter and best indigenous vehicle; the citation praised its styling, reliability and performance in Indian traffic.
Design and features
- Two-speed automatic: the Spirit’s main selling point, unusual in its class.
- Light weight: intended to suit students and smaller riders.
- All-aluminium 60 cc engine: two-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder.
- Anti-dive braking: a system to keep the front end stable under braking.
- Electric start: offered alongside a kick starter.
Bajaj Spirit versions
- Spirit with rectangular headlamp: the early version.
- Spirit with smiling headlamp: the later version.
The Spirit was one of Bajaj’s small scooters alongside the Chetak and the Legend. More models are in the Bajaj collection.
Video: Bajaj spirit v-max
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Bajaj Spirit, English Wikipedia: engine, equipment, launch, award
