Benelli has launched the retro classic Benelli
Leoncino 250 in India at INR 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The Leoncino 250
traces its origins to the bigger Leoncino 500 launched in India in August 2019.
Bookings for the smaller Leoncino can be made both at Benelli outlets and
online with a deposit of INR 6,000.
While most of the visual aspects of the Benelli
Leoncino 250 are identical to the Leoncino 500, several mechanical changes can
be found on closer inspection. These include a different steel-trellis frame,
different swingarm and different suspension. However, the suspension system
comprises upside-down unit up front (41 mm) and monoshock at the rear.
Other changes include an LED headlamp and a
different digital instrument panel which frankly looks dated as compared to the
unit of the Leoncino 500. Brakes include a single 280 mm petal unit in the
front and a 240 mm petal disc in the rear. Besides that, the Benelli Leoncino
250 is shod with 17-inch rims and a 110/70 specification wheel at the front and
a 150/60 section unit at the rear.
At the heart of Benelli Leoncino 250 is a 249 cc
liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC mill. Coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, the
engine produces 25.8 PS of power and 21 Nm of torque. The fuel tank can store
12.5-litre of petrol and the bike has a ground clearance of 170 mm. colour
options include White, Grey, Red and Brown. Besides that, the Benelli Leoncino
is offered with a 3 year (unlimited-kilometre) warranty.
The Benelli Leoncino 250 has no direct competition
in India. However, the sticker price of INR 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom, India) is a
heavily contested one with several value-for-money offerings, including the KTM
Duke 390 and the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Deliveries of the Benelli Leoncino
250 will begin after Diwali 2019 (27 October onwards).
