We generally loved the Bajaj Chetak electric bike for its beautiful, retro design, its noteworthy fit and finish levels and obviously, the sentimentality that the name actuates. In any case, we found, when we tried it a couple of years back, that it was deficient in a few crucial areas like elements but more significantly, performance and range. Presently, Bajaj has launched the refreshed Chetak Premium and it tends to a portion of those issues. Let’s take a closer look.
Bajaj Chetak Premium design and looks
As far as style, not much has changed however at that point once more, it truly didn’t need to. Since the Chetak stays quite possibly one of the most attractive electric bike out on the lookout. It gets metal body boards, a beautiful brown-and-dark dual tone seat, the same alloy wheels and metallic paint options on this premium version.
however, Bajaj has changed the shade of the accent trims around the front lamp, indicators, tailight and so on. Where they were a brushed aluminum, nearly chrome-like completion on the earlier scooter, you currently get a dark grey completion. Generally speaking, the Chetak keeps on radiating a tasteful energy with its immortal design. In any case, we discovered some minor panel gaps on our test scooter. Since this was quite possibly the earliest group to carry out, it very well might be resolved in later models.
The ergonomics of the Bajaj Chetak are likewise right on target. There’s a lot of room on the footboard for me to move around my feet and the seat is great and molded and very much cushioned too. The handlebar is additionally set at a suitable level and as such the rider’s triangle is spot on.
Features of Chetak Premium
Maybe what is the greatest change on the Chetak Premium is the expansion of another 5-inch colour TFT screen. It replaces the cercuilar, monochrome LCD unit of the active bike and it looks truly decent and it gives you a ton of data.However, unlike its rivals, the Ather 450X and the Ola S1 pro, this isn’t a touchscreen unit. Bajaj says they have done this deliberately to hold costs in line and guarantee the life span of this unit. This new screen is splendid and vivid and it helps in increasing the Chetak’s exceptional result.
Standard highlights on the Chetak Premium incorporate the new screen, an Eco riding mode, a reverse mode and an onboard 800W charger. Yet, Bajaj has likewise presented a Tecpac on the Chetak Premium and this opens an entire host of extra elements. It costs Rs 9,000 on top of Chetak’s asking cost and it gets a sports mode which gives stronger acceleration, sequential turn indicators, hill-hold assist, turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, notification alerts, call management and display themes.
The Tecpac is substantial for a time of 5 years and it could be retrofitted by clients in no less than 1 year of their buy. Also, as in the past, it keeps on highlighting associated tech through the Chetak application, so proprietors can screen the area of their bike, the charge status and many more.
Battery, range,charging and top speed of Bajaj Chetak Premium
Talking on changes under the skin, there have been a few critical ones in such manner. The greatest of which is the battery pack. The battery limit has been expanded to 3.2kWh, up from 2.9 kWh on the more established model. This is thanks to more energy dense cells in the pack.
What’s more, accordingly, the claimed range has gone up too. As per the IDC cycle, the Chetak Premium will currently do 126km on a charge, in contrast with the 108km that it did previously. That ought to mean a genuine scope of around 115km.
Because of the expanded battery limit, the charging times have gone up also. So the Chetak Premium will currently go from 0-100% charge in 4 hours 30 mins from its 800W locally available charger, which is 30 mins more than prior.
Bajaj has likewise resolved the issue of the top speed. At the point when we tried it a couple of years prior, one of the grumblings we had was that the top speed was simply excessively low at 63kph. With the refreshed Chetak Premium, Bajaj has reexamined the gearing and this one presently does 73kph. While it may not appear as a huge improvement, the higher top speed assists with staying aware of quick traffic on open streets in the city and out on the highway. What’s likewise decent is that the maximum velocity isn’t covered in Eco mode, so you can arrive at the full 73kph right at a slower rate than you would in sports mode.
The Chetak is kept on being controlled by the same permanent magnet motor that has a peak output of 4.2kW and 20Nm, while the constant result is set at 4kW and 10Nm. In my experience, I did cross the 73kph and I achieved 80kph which is a good speed in sports mode. I could not feel any less power in this new chetak premium.
Practicality and on-road price
You continue to get a 5.5-litre front glove box which houses the charging cable but Bajaj has reprofiled the underseat boot and it now has a flatter floor, which means capacity for the boot is up from 17 litres to 21 litres. although a full-face helmet can’t fit in this but a half-face helmet can easily be kept inside it. Also Chetak Premium gives you an under-seat hook for carrying handy luggage. It also has a mobile charging socket and a caring place.
The 2024 Bajaj Chetak Premium is priced at Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom). Now that represents a Rs 15,000 hike over the outgoing model. But given the substantial updates it has undergone, in terms of features, battery, range, top speed and practicality, it feels well worth that premium.