Benelli launches Leoncino 500 at Rs 459,900

Italian superbike manufacturer Benelli has launched the all-new BS VI Leoncino 500 at a starting price of Rs 4,59,900 (ex-showroom, India) for the steel grey colour and Rs 4,69,900 (ex-showroom, India) for the Leoncino red colour.

Bookings for the Benelli Leoncino can be done for Rs 10,000, by visiting india.benelli.com or by visiting the nearest Benelli India Dealership. Benelli India is also offering the Leoncino with '3-Year unlimited kilometre warranty as standard'.

The Benelli Leoncino gets a DOHC, twin-cylinder four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 500cc engine, which the company claims, produces a maximum power output of 47.5PS at 8500rpm and maximum torque of 46Nm at 6000rpm. The 8-valve motor is mated to a slick-shifting six-speed gearbox. The steel trellis frame ensures versatility and manoeuvrability.

Vikas Jhabakh, Director – Mahavir Group, spearheads Benelli’s operations in India through Adishwar Auto Ride India (AARI), a partner of Mahavir Group. Commenting on the launch of the BS VI Benelli Leoncino 500, Vikas Jhabakh, Managing Director, Benelli India, said, “The Leoncino 500 is a tribute to the original model, which is a legend of Italian motorcycling that largely contributed to the history of the brand. We are happy to bring back the Leoncino 500 in its BS VI avatar. I am also glad to share that there has been no drop in power and torque figures of the Leoncino 500, in its transition to BS VI compliance. Hence, I am confident that it will continue to deliver the same excitement and rush that was delivered by the BS IV offering on sale earlier.”

The street version of the Leoncino has 17-inch alloy wheels. The tubeless tyres include a 120/70-ZR17 section tyre at the front, 160/60-ZR17 section tyre at the rear, guaranteeing stability and performance. The front suspension features an upside-down 50mm fork, while the rear is controlled by a laterally mounted, rebound and pre-load adjustable shock absorber. Brakes include radially-mounted 4-piston brake callipers gripping 320mm discs upfront. The rear is taken care of by a single-piston floating calliper with a 260mm disc, with dual-channel Switchable ABS.