The N160 S uses a 164.5cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled, four-valve engine producing 18.5 PS at 9,500 rpm and 14.4 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The shift to oil cooling and a four-valve head over the older two-valve, air-cooled motor accounts for the jump in peak power from 15.5 bhp.

The engine pairs with a 5-speed gearbox and an electronic throttle body, which Bajaj calls Intelligent Throttle. This enables four riding modes, Rain, Road, Sport and Off-Road, each altering throttle mapping to suit conditions rather than simply changing what the instrument cluster displays. Bajaj claims a 0-60 kmph time of 4.5 seconds.

Crawl Technology allows the bike to move at low speeds in higher gears without the rider working the clutch repeatedly, reducing fatigue in stop-and-go traffic.

While the official ARAI mileage for the four-valve N160 S is not yet available, its higher-revving, oil-cooled setup is expected to deliver slightly lower real-world efficiency than the outgoing two-valve model's 51.6 kmpl. The fuel tank capacity remains unchanged at 14 litres.

The N160 S retains the streetfighter profile of the existing Pulsar N160 but arrives with noticeably sharper, more angular graphics.

The front end features a bi-functional LED projector headlamp in an angular housing and a small wind deflector above the instrument cluster. The fuel tank carries pronounced knee recesses, and the graphic cuts across the body flow from the tank into the lower fairing panels.

The 37 mm gold-finished USD forks are prominent from the front. The tail section is compact with a split-style seat, and the exhaust is tucked along the right side.

The N160 S comes with single-channel ABS as standard, preventing front wheel lockup under hard braking. Braking hardware includes a 300 mm front disc and a 230 mm rear disc, both larger than what the two-valve N160 used.

The Rain riding mode softens throttle response to reduce wheel slip on slippery surfaces. The 37 mm USD forks are stiffer than the 33 mm units on the older model, improving predictability during sudden manoeuvres.

Standard equipment includes an LED headlamp, automatic headlight on, side stand indicator, and engine kill switch. Traction control and dual-channel ABS are not available on the S, while both are exclusive to the range-topping SS.

The Pulsar N160 S closely competes with the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Hero Xtreme 160R 4V, and Honda Hornet 2.0.

The Apache is the closest rival, offering a lighter kerb weight and a TFT display, but the N160 S leads with higher peak power at 18.5 PS, a larger fuel tank, and an exclusive Off-Road riding mode.

The Xtreme 160R 4V boasts strong hardware like KYB forks and cruise control but trails in outright performance.

Meanwhile, the Hornet 2.0 provides better low-end torque but completely lacks the modern riding modes and electronics found on the Bajaj.