Benelli Imperiale 400 India launch is expected around mid-2019 with high local content to rival Royal Enfield Classic 350
Ever since making debut late last year, the talks of Benelli’s Imperiale 400 entering India refuse to fade away and there are some very good reasons for that. It does have the appearance and specifications on paper to be a direct rival of the highly popular Royal Enfield Classic range.
The Benelli Imperiale 400 will be part of the brand’s revival in the country as a slew of new motrocycles are waiting in the wings to address different segments. The Italian brand is focussing on launching entry-level premium bikes to capitalise on the increased craze among customers lately.
Expected to launched in the middle part of 2019, the Imperiale 400 will likely be heavily localised to have a formidable shot at the segment against the top-selling Classic 350 and 500. It is signficant for the bikes in the realm of RE to be priced competitively in order to lure in customers and it can be achieved only through high degree of local content.
It will be assembled, at least expectedly in the initial stage, to be assembled at the Medichal facility near Hyderabad. The Benelli Imperiale 400 derives power from a 373.5 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine, which is good enough to produce a maximum power output of 20 PS at 5,500 rpm and 28 Nm of peak torque delivered at 3,500 rpm.
It is connected to a five-speed transmission. Boasting a retro theme, the Imperiale has an attractive styling and unique presence. Build on the double cradle steel tubular frame, it comes with rubber tank grips, split seats, chrome garnish, twin-pod instrument cluster, round-shaped headlamp, relaxed handlebar position, etc.
We can expect Benelli to offer ABS as standard to comply with the upcoming government mandate while the braking duty is performed by 300 mm front disc with two-piston floating caliper and 240 mm rear disc. Benelli will be looking to make a big impact in the domestic market with the Imperiale 400 following the launch of Leoncino scrambler and TRK 502 adventure bike.
Benelli Imperiale 400 Images
