The Benelli Imperiale is slated for its launch in India in 2019 and prior to that, it will be assembled at the new manufacturing and assembly facility center of Benelli near Hyderabad. Most recently, Benelli has partnered with Mahavir Group’s Adishwar Auto Ride International (AARI) in Hyderabad and its launch will also be like that of Leoncino and the TRK adventure tourer in the form of different models having options of several engine variants, rather than having only one single variant. The Benelli Imperiale was launched at the 2017 EICMA Motorcycle Show held in Milan, Italy and in India, it is slated to be launched sometime in mid of 2019. It will compete for the likes of Royal Enfield Classic series once launched.
“It will be ready next year. We understand the market (in this segment) is very big, but we also understand the weakness of our competitors, and that is the reason we haven’t launched it yet. The Imperiale will also be part of a complete family of engines and displacements and versions,” Dante Bustos, Chief Marketing Officer, Benelli – Global, told Car and bike in a recent interaction.
The first one of the brands Imperiale will have a 373.5 cc, single overhead cam, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine having a capacity of putting out around a total of 19 bhp at the rate of 5500 rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque at the rate of 3500 rpm. The engine will have a five-speed gearbox and will be mounted over a double cradle chassis along with telescopic kind of front fork and dual shocks at the rear side. Both wheels will be fitted with disc brakes and dual-channel ABS will be of standard make. The curb weight of the Imperiale 400 is 200 kg and has got a fuel tank capacity of 12 liters.
As of now, Benelli is busy conducting a feasibility study to install an R&D facility in India and is also considering starting the process of manufacturing bikes in India itself. At present, the company has already installed R&D facilities in Italy and China. The company was established in 1911 and is one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers from Italy and now it has become a part of Chinese automobile group Qiangjiang. According to the collaboration with the Mahavir Group, Benelli has set great plans for India with specific plans to design and manufacture bikes especially for the market here in India and also for neighboring countries.
Benelli is currently doing a feasibility study to set up an R&D facility in India and also consider full-fledged manufacturing of bikes in India. Currently, Benelli has R&D facilities in Italy and China. Established in 1911, Benelli is one of the oldest Italian motorcycle manufacturers and is now part of Chinese automobile group Qiangjiang. Chinese automotive giant Geely, which also owns the Volvo brand, holds a controlling interest in Qiangjiang. Under the latest collaboration with the Mahavir Group, Benelli has huge plans for India, with plans even to design and manufacture bikes specifically for the Indian market and neighboring countries.
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