Ultraviolette Throws Open Challenge to Bajaj Auto: Will Beat Them in Their Backyard
Ultraviolette is throwing an open challenge to all Indian manufacturers to beat them in a racing event happening in the next 90 days. But what secret weapon is the Bangalore-based company bringing to the fight?
By Aakash S Paul
Looks like there is a bit of healthy rivalry brewing in the two-wheeler space. Ultraviolette has thrown a good-old open challenge to Bajaj Auto and any other two-wheeler manufacturer to beat them at an upcoming sports event. What's the reason behind the challenge? Where will the competition be? Who will be the contenders? We have some theories.
First, we need to set the context for this open challenge. In a recent interview, Rajiv Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Auto, gave one of his signature witty replies about Ultraviolette sales not being ‘ultra’. The industry veteran said that he believes that scooters will carry the market when it comes to electric vehicles and not motorcycles. In response, Subramaniam commended Bajaj for producing a disruptor like the Pulsar but also mentioned that the same spirit is now missing. He then went on to throw the challenge to Bajaj in their own backyard and invited all other manufacturers to participate.
Ultraviolette's Challenge
'We’re gonna be there, right in the backyard of Bajaj Auto, at a race format event in about 90 days time at Aamby Valley. We are bringing the best of what we’ve got in terms of design, tech, and performance together. We definitely invite Bajaj Auto to bring the best of what they’ve got. I think a simple race format should probably give the answer to who, with limited resources and capital, is really pushing the boundaries of what Indian engineering can truly achieve,' said Subramaniam in a video posted on his social media handles.
According to what Subramaniam said, the event could be The Valley Run. It is set to happen at the end of November in Aamby Valley, Pune – roughly around 90 days from now. And since Bajaj has its plant in Chakan, Pune, it would also be in their backyard. Given how EVs are known for their explosive acceleration, an empty airstrip would be a great stage to show Ultraviolette’s capabilities.
Ultraviolette's Challenger
As for the best that Ultraviolette has, there could be a few possibilities. Ultraviolette currently only sells one product, the F77 Mach 2 which in itself could beat most vehicles in Bajaj’s lineup. Ultraviolette claims that the F77 can attain 100km/h from a standstill in 7.7 seconds, which is nothing to scoff at. But we do not think that it will be that simple. If the company has thrown a challenge this bold, it might bring something more capable.
This brings us to the F99 racing platform, unveiled at EICMA 2023. The F99 has an aggressive design language, active aerodynamics, and a 120.6bhp motor. The company claims that it can do 0-100km/h in just three seconds and reach a top speed of 265km/h. Now, the F99 is not slated for launch until next year, so we don’t know if Ultraviolette will bring it out so early. But it would be quite a statement to bring such a mad machine to The Valley Run and stamp its authority. With acceleration figures that could challenge litre-class bikes, the F99 could handily beat whatever Bajaj or any other Indian manufacturer has to offer.
