Benelli to launch sub-200 cc bikes to rival Bajaj Pulsar & TVS Apache - Report
Benelli India is working on introducing sub-200 cc, single-cylinder motorcycles in the domestic market, according to a report from PTI.
The company is considering motorcycles with an engine displacement in the range of 135-200 cc, which will rival the Bajaj Pulsar and the TVS Apache range. The company already has the Benelli TNT 135, TNT 150 and the TNT 200 in the international markets.
Speaking to PTI, Dante Bustos, Chief Marketing Officer – Benelli, said, -
We took a fast decision of not to be out of the market for a long time after the problem came up. The first thing to do was revise from among all the relationships we had built. Our focus in India in the next two years will be in the 300-600 cc segment. We will launch 12 models by the end of 2019. Also, now we are working on a single cylinder strategy, for motorcycles with displacements of 135-200 cc, which is also a new technology. We plan to come to India with these, we cannot exactly say when but it won’t be before 2019.
Benelli India, in partnership with the Mahavir Group, will initially focus on the 300-600 cc motorcycle segment with the launch of 12 models by the end of 2019. These include bikes like Benelli TRK 251, Leoncino 250, TNT 300, TNT 600i, TRK 502/502X, Leoncino 500 range (standard, Trail & Sport) and the Benelli Imperiale 400 among others. The company plans to expand its dealership network from the current 20 dealerships to over 60 touch points within the next two years.
The Benelli TNT 200 should rival the KTM Duke 200, Bajaj Pulsar 200 and the TVS Apache RTR 200. The bike sources power from a 199.4 cc, single-cylinder, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine that pairs to a 6-speed gearbox. The fuel-injected motor is capable of producing 21.5 bhp of maximum power and 18 Nm of peak torque. The motorcycle will be a CKD import and could be priced around INR 1.25-1.50 lakh (ex-showroom).
Also Read: Benelli TRK 502 & Benelli TRK 502X to launch in India by early 2019
On the other hand, the Benelli TNT 150 will rival the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160, TVS Apache RTR 160, Honda X-Blade, Suzuki Gixxer and the Yamaha FZ-S. The motorcycle employs a 148 cc, single-cylinder motor that produces 11 bhp of power at 7500 rpm and 11.70 Nm at 6500 rpm, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The TNT 150 could be priced circa INR 1 lakh (ex-showroom).
[Source: PTI News]
