Benelli has been on a roll this year. After launching the TRK 502, TRK 502 X and the Leoncino 500, the brand has launched the Leoncino 250 in the country. The TnT25 is not on sale anymore which means the Leoncino 250 is now the entry-level Benelli in the country being priced at Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and the bookings are already underway with a refundable deposit of Rs 6,000. Deliveries of the bikes are expected to begin later this month.
The Benelli Leoncino 250 is powered by a liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder engine producing 25bhp at 9250rpm and 21Nm of peak twist at 8,000rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and is cradled in a steel trellis frame.
The suspension duties are handled by 41mm USD forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock. Contrary to most of the Benellis on sale in the country, this one gets a single 280mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear aided by dual-channel ABS. The baby Leoncino also gets a new all-digital instrument cluster and all-LED illumination.
Styling of the Benelli Leoncino 250 is largely inspired by the bigger sibling, however, the 250 gets a different frame design, a new swingarm, headlight, graphics, and seat.
At Rs 2.50 lakh, the Benelli Leoncino 250 is a well-equipped motorcycle. However, with players like the KTM 250 Duke (Rs 1.97 lakh) and the Honda CB300R (Rs 2.41 lakh), both of which are more powerful and cheaper than this lion cub, the Leoncino 250 is going to have a tough time in carving out its niche.