India-bound Benelli Leoncino launched in Malaysia

Benelli has launched the Leoncino in Malaysia at RM29,678 (Rs 4.5 lakhs). The bike has a scrambler-style design. 

The Leoncino sports a 500cc parallel-twin engine that produces 47bhp at 8,500 rpm and 45Nm of peak torque at 5,000 rpm. This unit gets electronic fuel injection and liquid cooling and is mated to a six-speed transmission. A pair of hydraulic four-piston callipers with 320 mm discs atthe front and a single 260 mm diameter disc at the back are responsible for braking on the Leoncino. Suspension duties are done by 50mm inverted forks up front and a laterally-mounted monoshock at the rear. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with road tyres.

The manufacturer is expected to launch the bike in India by the end of this year or early next year, although, the company is interested in launching the 19-inch spoke wheel version here. When launched, the bike is expected to sit under the 600i, in the Rs 4. 5 lakhs to Rs 5.5 lakhs bracket, and will not have any direct competition. 

Source- Paultan.org