Benelli to launch new 250cc models by end of 2019

Benelli India is expected to launch a few 250cc models in India by the end of the year. Two of them are expected to be the TRK 251 (an entry-level ADV) and a Leoncino 250 (a scrambler-style motorcycle). We could also see the company re-introduce the TNT 25.

The company’s most recent launches in India are Leoncino 500 and TRK 502s, both higher-capacity versions of the upcoming models.

Benelli TRK 251
Unveiled at the 2017 EICMA motorcycle show – the motorcycle's styling is similar to the TRK 502, albeit more compact. It features a side-slung muffler unlike the underbelly unit seen on the 502. Powering the bike is the same quarter-litre motor seen on the international Leoncino 250, producing 25.8hp and 21.2Nm of torque. It uses a trellis frame and suspension hardware consists of USD forks and a monoshock.

Providing anchorage are a 280mm single disc brake up front and a 240mm unit at the rear. Dual-channel ABS is standard. Similar to the Leoncino 250, the TRK 250 also runs on 17-inch alloy wheels with road-focused tyres. In terms of competition, the Benelli offering is likely to be positioned between the Royal Enfield Himalayan (Rs 1.8 lakh) and the BMW G 310 GS (Rs 3.49 lakh).

Leoncino 250
If the 250s follow pricing that is similar to the 500s, then the Leoncino 250 could be the most affordable Benelli in our market. What also works in favour of the Leoncino 250 is the fact that there isn’t any other affordable scrambler motorcycle on sale in India at the moment.

Powering the Leoncino 250 is the same 249cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that makes power figures identical to the TRK. While it doesn’t have any direct rivals in the Indian market, it can be compared to similar-capacity naked motorcycles like the KTM 250 Duke, Yamaha FZ 25 and the newly-introduced Suzuki Gixxer 250.

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