When I wrote last month that 150cc segment is heating up, I knew it was only time that Bajaj Auto would reply to the launch of Hero Honda CBZ X-Treme.

Although Pulsar 150 has been selling like hot cakes since its launch almost 5 years back, recent arrivals in the segments had put it on a back foot. With the number of TVS Apaches on the road increasing by the day, Bajaj had to counter it by doing what it does best; setting the benchmark not only in performance but also in looks.

While the new Pulsar 150DTSI hasn’t received much of a facelift, but the reworked fairing and addition of a Digital Speedometer and contact less switches should increase the oomph factor.

The real upgrade comes in the heart of the new 150cc, with its 149cc single cylinder engine (up from 143.9cc) now developing 14.2bhp (up from 13.2bhp and same as CBZ X-Treme) and 1.3kgm of torque (same as Honda Unicorn), beside this it also get a clutch and gearbox upgrade.

It would be interesting to see how other manufactures try to counter this move by Bajaj.