Benelli Leoncino scrambler to be launched in India in 2017: Report

At Auto Expo 2016, Italian motorcycle Benelli's Indian arm DSK Benelli unveiled four new bikes: TNT T-135, BX 250, Tornado 300 and TRK 502. These bikes have been confirmed for market launch in the coming months by Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman of DSK Motowheels. Surprisingly, highly-anticipated Leoncino scrambler that debuted at the 2015 EICMA show wasn't part of the line-up for Auto Expo 2016.

In an interview with NDTV.Auto, Shirish Kulkarni confirmed three motorcycles have been scheduled to be launched in 2017 and one among them will be the Leoncino. Designed at the new style centre of Benelli in its historical stronghold of Pesaro in Italy, the Leoncino bears a lot of resemblance to the Ducati Scrambler range in terms of design. The Leoncino comes with low exhaust position, chunky wheels, USD front forks with 50mm diameter topped with a LED light. The seat is finished in Alcantara leather and the rear gets an LED tail light. The tyres are 110/80 section up front and 150/17 section at rear, which is fitted on 19-inch and 17-inch wheels, respectively.

The Leoncino is powered by a brand new 499.6cc, twin-cylinder engine with liquid cooling developing 46.9bhp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm torque at 4,500rpm combined with a six-speed gearbox.

The scrambler motorcycle is equipped with 320mm twin disc brakes with four piston caliper upfront, while rear tyres get 260mm single disc with two piston caliper. The motorcycle will feature standard ABS in production model. The Leoncino will be launched as a premium product in DSK Benelli's line-up with an estimated price range of Rs 6 to 7 lakh.