World’s first CNG motorcycle – the Bajaj Freedom 125 – is finally here. The bike’s model lineup comes in three variants: Drum, Drum LED, and Disc LED, priced at Rs 95,000, Rs 1.05 lakh, and Rs 1.10 lakh, respectively (all ex-showroom). Interestingly, the Freedom 125 has a horizontally mounted single-cylinder 125cc petrol engine and a CNG tank placed underneath its long seat.
With petrol and CNG tanks of 2 liters each, it offers a claimed range of 330 km. The petrol motor produces a peak power of 9.5 bhp and 9.7 Nm of torque. The new Bajaj CNG bike is said to deliver a fuel efficiency of 102 km/kg while running on CNG and 65 km/l using petrol. The CNG tank, which is cradled in a trellis frame, weighs 18 kg when fully filled.
Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG – Crash Test Video
Since it’s the first CNG bike in India, there are doubts about its safety, as it features a CNG gas-filled tank fitted under the seat. Well, Bajaj Auto has an answer to that. The Pune-based two-wheeler manufacturer says that the new Bajaj Freedom CNG has undergone 11 different crash and impact tests at its testing facility. Firstly, talking about the Truck Runover Test, the bike’s CNG tank was tested by being run over by a truck weighing 10 tons. The results show that the CNG tank remained intact in its position, and there was no indication of leakage.
In the frontal collision tests, the new Bajaj CNG bike was hit by a 1.5-ton collision barrier moving towards it at a relative speed of 60 km/h. No harm was done to its CNG tank in these head-on collisions. Bajaj Auto conducted 9 more tests, namely, Frontal Pendulum Test, Right Side Impact Test, Left Side Impact Test, Rear Impact Test, Vertical Drop Test, 20G Pull Out Test, two types of CNG Valve Impact Tests, and a 50 kg Filling Unit Strength Test.
To ensure safety, Bajaj has made the frame and subframe strong to keep the CNG tank safe during collisions or impacts. It has also been positioned slightly away from the petrol engine, thus preventing it from the engine’s heat.
Bajaj Freedom CNG – First Look Video
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