Confirmed: Benelli to launch Leoncino 500, Imperiale 400 and 502C motorcycles in India this year

Team OD Updated: November 05, 2019, 04:32 PM IST

Benelli has started the year 2019 with the launch its two adventure touring motorcycles, the TRK 502 and the TRK502X priced at Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5.4 lakh respectively. Both these motorcycles are the first all-new products to be launched by Benelli in India, as part of its recent partnership with the Adishwar Auto Ride India - Mahavir Group. It is at this event that the Italian motorcycle manufacturer confirmed the upcoming launches for India this year. This includes the Imperiale cruiser, 502C naked and the retro-styled Leoncino 500 twins ( standard and trail).

Benelli and 502X launched in India at Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5.40 lakh respectively

Leoncino translates to lion cub from Italian. The motorcycle is a tribute to the brand's origin in Italy. Its retro-modern aesthetic is something that makes it a unique offering in the 500cc segment and Benelli India is betting big on its success in our market. The Trail gets a set of updates over the standard Leoncino 500 to increase its off-road prowess. It features a 19-inch front rim, as well as dual purpose tyres. Wire-spoked aluminium alloy wheel rims replace the 12-spoke alloy wheels of the standard Leoncino. Mechanically identical, the Trail comes powered by the same liquid-cooled 500cc parallel twin engine as the Leoncino 500. The Leoncino 500 Trail comes with a 185mm ground clearance, as well as 135mm and 138mm of front and rear suspension travel, respectively.

The Benelli Leoncino has a liquid-cooled 500cc parallel twin engine which produces 48PS and 46Nm

The Benelli Imperiale 400 made its debut at the EICMA 2017 show. This Royal Enfield rivaling motorcycle from Benelli comes with a double cradle, steel tubular frame.The tear drop shaped tank, with a rubber grip, split seats and chrome bits add to the retro cruiser flavour of the Benelli Imperiale 400. The twin pod instrument cluster looks quite like a mix of modern and retro thanks to the digital screen in between the pods, We think it may be used to display the fuel level as well as other information. The Imperiale 400 is powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel-injected motor that displaces 373cc. The motor produces 20PS at 5500rpm and 28Nm at 3500rpm and is mated to a five-speed gearbox. There are disc brakes at the front and rear and ABS is standard. The front disc is a single, 300mm unit with 2-piston floating calipers, and a 240mm disc at the rear.

The Imperiale 400 is powered by an air-cooled, 373cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected motor that produces 20PS at 5500rpm and 28Nm at 3500rpm

The Benelli 502C will be based on the Leoncino and is described as an urban cruiser by the Italian motorcycle manufacturer. Similar to the Leoncino and the recently launched TRK ADV motorcycles, the Benelli 502C will be powered by an in-line four-stroke twin cylinder, liquid cooled FI engine with four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshaft. This engine will put out 47.6PS at 8,500rpm and generate 45Nm at 5,000rpm. It will be mated with a 6-speed gearbox. The Benelli 502C will come with a Trellis frame with 41mm upside-down fork with 125mm travel and a centrally placed monoshock with pre-load adjustment and a travel of 50mm. Further, the motorcycle makes use of double semi-floating 260 mm diameter disc at front and a 240 mm disc at the rear.

The Benelli 502C will be based on the Leoncino and is described as an urban cruiser by the Italian motorcycle manufacturer

Also, Benelli confirmed that TNT1200 is in the works and will be shown at this year's EICMA show in Milan. This flagship offering from Benelli will be launched in the international markets by April-May 2020 and will be then launched in India.