Benelli will begin its second innings in India in
partnership with the Mahavir Group, with three products – Benelli TNT 300, 302R
and the 600i. That said, according to the latest developments, the company will
introduce the Benelli TNT 302S soon in India that will replace the existing TNT
300 naked streetfighter.
The company showcased the 2018 Benelli TNT 302S at
the EICMA 2017, alongside the Benelli Imperiale 400, to replace the TNT 300 in
global markets. The motorcycle uses the same frame and engine as the Benelli
TNT 300 but receives cosmetic updates and new features. The TNT 302S features a
new fuel tank design with redesigned shrouds, full-LED headlight, new
single-piece seat and a revised number plate holder.
The Benelli TNT 302S receives an all-digital
instrument cluster in place of the semi-digital unit on the TNT 300. The bike
also gets a new side-mounted two-into-one exhaust system as against the
underbelly unit on the Benelli TNT 300. That said, the front fender, suspension
setup, alloy wheels and tires are carried forward.
Powering the Benelli TNT 302S is a 300 cc,
parallel-twin, four-valve engine with liquid cooling. The fuel-injected motor
is capable of producing 38.26 bhp of maximum power at 11,500 rpm and 26.5 Nm of
peak torque at 9,750 rpm. The engine pairs to a six-speed transmission. Braking
power is assisted by 260 mm twin petal disc brakes at the front with 4-piston
radial callipers, while the rear gets a 240 mm single disc with a single-piston
floating calliper; dual-channel ABS is standard.
The Benelli TNT 302S tips the scales at 206 kg kerb,
while it gets a fuel tank capacity of 16 litres. Suspension hardware consists
of 41 mm upside-down forks up front with 120 mm wheel travel and an adjustable
hydraulic mono-shock at the back with 45 mm wheel travel. The motorcycle rides
on 17-inch alloy wheels with 110/70 R17 front and 150/60 R17 rear tubeless
tires with an ‘H’ speed rating.
While Benelli hasn’t revealed the specific timeline
for the launch of TNT 302S, it is expected to come soon in India. An earlier
report suggested that the company will introduce the Leoncino 500 scrambler as
the first product from the Benelli-Mahavir Group JV. We can expect the bike to
launch by early 2019 with a price tag of circa INR 3.60 lakh (ex-showroom),
considering the Benelli TNT 300 ABS retails at INR 3.43 lakh (ex-showroom
Delhi).
