Benelli has announced the start of the pre-bookings
for the Imperiale 400 in India. The Retro-Classic motorcycle will be launched
in the next month and its deliveries across India will commence from Diwali.
Interested buyers can reserve a unit of the Imperiale 400 for a booking amount
of INR 4,000. The bookings are open through authorized Benelli showroom and via
the company’s website. The Imperiale 400 will be available in three colour options – Red,
Black and Chrome – and with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty as
standard.
The Imperiale 400 will rival the Royal Enfield
Classic 350, the Jawa Forty-Two and the Jawa Classic. The motorcycle will be
heavily localized and thus we expect to see sub-INR 2 lakh (ex-showroom) prices.
Similar to the rest of the Benelli products, the motorcycle will most likely
arrive with a limited-period introductory tag that will be revised a few weeks
later.
Spy photographs have already revealed that the
Indian-bound Imperiale 400 will feature the same styling cues as the
international version. Thus, the motorcycle will come with chrome headlight
mask, chrome mirror housing, rubber pad on the tank (sides) and a split-style
saddle. The current 373.5 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, SOHC, fuel-injected
engine (Euro-IV) on the Imperiale 400 makes 19.7 PS at 5,500 rpm and 28 Nm of
peak torque at 3,500 rpm. It will be interesting to see if Benelli retains the
existing (Euro-IV/BS-IV) motor or offers the BS-VI compliant mill right from
launch. The engine is mated to a five-speed transmission.
Suspension department will comprise conventional
telescopic front forks and twin spring-loaded rear shock absorbers. Braking
duties will be performed by a 300 mm front disc and a 240 mm rear rotor. The
safety net is expected to comprise a dual-channel ABS. Other budget-friendly
features include a halogen headlight and analogue instrument console.
