Benelli was originally scheduled to launch its range of products in third week of January but has postponed the launch to the second week of February due to various reasons.
You read it first on MotorBeam. The much talked about Italian motorcycle maker Benelli has postponed the launch of its offerings in India to the second week of February (before the India Bike Week) from the original launch date of third week of January. The world’s oldest motorcycle maker announced its plans to enter the country late last year in a tie up with DSK Motowheels and also showcased the first 5 models that will be brought into the country via the CKD route. Our sources tell us that the delay for the launch has been caused due to various reasons. The company is still testing the bikes and doesn’t want the launch to clash with other automobile events.
Furthermore, the launch has also been delayed as Benelli is still testing its bikes in the country, mainly the TNT 300 (BN 302 in other markets). The manufacturer has been testing different sprockets on the TNT 300 ranging from 41T to 46T in a bid to offer better balance between top-end performance and acceleration. The more affordable offering from Benelli in India, the TNT 300 street-fighter will compete against the very popular KTM Duke 390 as well as the Kawasaki Z250 in the quarter-litre space and hence the motorcycle maker might not want to leave the bike’s fate to chance.
Powering the Benelli TNT 300 is a 300cc parallel-twin engine with fuel injection that churns out 37 PS of power and 27.1 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed transmission. Apart from the TNT 300, Benelli’s range comprises of the TNT 600 (i and GT), TNT 899 and the flagship TNT 1130R that will be launched in the coming weeks. The company also has plans to bring in the single-cylinder TNT 250 street-fighter along with the Keeway Blackster cruiser later this year and both will be retailed through Benelli showrooms that will soon be operational across 9 cities in the country.
