Benelli TNT Naked T-135 minibike to be launched by March 2017

Italian motorcycle maker Benelli's Indian arm, DSK Benelli is gearing up for the launch of TNT Naked T-135, a 135-cc minibike introduced at Auto Expo 2016. The motorcycle with an estimated price between Rs 1.3-Rs 1.5 lakh will be launched in India by March next year.

"We are busy completing the formalities, including trial, before commercially launching a 135-cc minibike by March next," said DSK Benelli Chairman Shirish Kulkarni after opening brand's first showroom in Vadodara, reports ET Auto.

The T-135 uses a 135cc single-cylinder engine tuned to develop 12.6hp at 9,000rpm and 10.8Nm of torque at 7,000rpm mated to five-speed gearbox. The motorcycle comes with fuel tank capacity of 7.2-litres and seat height of 780mm. The design is heavily inspired from the bigger TNT models of Benelli. The TNT Naked T-135 features 12-inch wheels and a twin-pipe exhaust.

Ahead of TNT Naked T-135's launch, DSK Benelli will launch the Tornado 302 and TRK 502 adventure tourer. Both these motorycles were showcased at Auto Expo 2016 along with TNT Naked T-135. The Tornado 302 is a fully-faired sibling of TNT 300 and its market launch is expected by December-end. The motorcycle will be powered by an in-line two-cylinder four-stroke four-valve DOHC engine that develops 36bhp at 12,000rpm and 27Nm at 9,000 rpm. It will take on the likes of Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Yamaha YZF-R3 when launched in India.

On the other hand, the TRK 502 caters to the burgeoning adventure motorcycle segment. The dual purpose motorcycle features a twin-cylinder, four-stroke liquid-cooled 499.6cc engine that will belt out 47bhp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm torque at 4,500rpm mated to a six-speed gearbox. TRK 502 will be pitted against the premium adventure motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Ducati Scrambler range.

DSK Benelli entered India in March 2015 and got a head start with over 3000 unit sales by August 2016. The company aims to increases dealerships to 30 dealerships by March, up from 21 outlets now. DSK Motowheels has Rs 350-crore manufacturing facility at Talegaon near Pune with an installed capacity of 50,000 units per annum.