Having successfully launched the multiple new motorcycles, Benelli has drawn attention to its next launch, which will take place on the 25th of October. Benelli India has shared media invites for a launch event on 25th Oct. This new motorcycle launch will most likely be of Benelli Imperiale 400.
Benelli 400 Imperiale was unveiled at the 2017 EICMA Show. It was launched globally later that same year and will now make its way to India. It will boast of extensive localized content so as to allow for affordable pricing. The new Benelli 400 aims to take on Royal Enfield 350 and Jawa, in the segment.
This retro styled Imperiale 400 will be seen with a teardrop fuel tank, rounded headlamps, split seats, a twin pod instrument cluster, single piece chrome handlebars and chrome finished low slung exhausts. It also gets chrome fenders and spoke wheels. The bike commands kerb weight of 200 kgs and gets a 12 liter fuel tank.
In global markets, Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered by a 373.5cc, single cylinder, fuel injected, SOHC engine. It offers 19 bhp power at 5,500 rpm and 28 Nm torque at 3,500 rpm mated to a 5 speed gearbox.
Suspension is via telescopic forks at the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear. It gets a double cradle steel tube frame and braking is via disc brakes at both ends with dual channel ABS offered as standard. It will be positioned in the commuter cruiser segment. Expected price is in the Rs 2.5 lakh range.
Benelli India expects to sell Imeriale 400 in large volumes. 9 new company dealerships were opened in India earlier this year. These have been expanded to 19 outlets as on date, to be extended to 15 outlets by the end of this calendar year and to 60 dealer networks by the end of 2020. Sales have reached over 1000 units ever since the brand was resurrected in India with plans to double this count by the end of this year.
Benelli now retails 6 bikes in India. These include the TNT300, TNT 600i, sportsbike 302R and two adventure bikes TRK 502 and TRK 502X along with the recently launched Leoncino 500. The company also plans an onslaught into the scooter segment in India with 150cc and 250cc products. All these two wheelers come in via the CKD route and are assembled at a facility near Hyderabad.