Benelli Might Enter Premium Scooter Segment In India

The new scooter is expected to make its India debut in 2020.

• Apart from the TRK twins, Benelli is planning to launch five more models this year.
  
• The Zafferano 250 is likely to be priced under Rs 2 lakh, if brought via CKD route.
• The maxi-scooter, if launched, will be the most powerful in its category.

After making a comeback with new management, Benelli India is all set to expand its product line-up to attract more footfalls into its dealerships. A few days back, Benelli had launched two all-new motorcycles: the TRK 502 and the TRK 502X. On the sidelines of the launch, we spoke with Vikas Jhabakh, Managing Director of Benelli India, who confirmed that the company has plans to enter the premium scooter segment as well. Jhabakh added that scooter segment has witnessed a boom, however, no one has made any proper moves in the premium segment, and that this is one segment that the Italian brand is eyeing to enter. The Italian bike maker has not confirmed which models will make it to our shores, but the Benelli Zafferano 250 was spotted testing in India in 2017, when the brand was with DSK-Motowheels.

Currently, Benelli’s 2019 plans consist of launching seven motorcycles this year, and they have already launched two of them (the TRK twins), so expect some brand-new products as well as some new variants of the existing models in the coming few months. As per our understanding, Benelli will not launch any premium scooter this year, but we assume that it may make an appearance at the 2020 Auto Expo.

Speaking of the Zafferano 250, it will be among the highest displacement scooters to go on sale in India, if Benelli plans to sell it over here. The maxi-scooter is 2140mm long and 800mm wide (excluding mirrors) and tips the scale at a whopping 194kg. Just to bring things into perspective, the Zafferano is 260mm longer and 125mm wider than the Suzuki Burgman Street. These titanic dimensions translate to a bigger and broader seat. Also, the tank can hold up to 10.7-litres of fuel - unheard of amongst Indian scooters!

Powering the Zafferano 250 is a 250cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine that produces 18.3PS of power and 20Nm of torque. It gets telescopic forks with 90mm of travel and disc brakes at both end. If Benelli decides to bring the Zafferano 250 to India, it will certainly have a high price tag. Currently, the 2018 Zafferano 250 retails at $3,299 (around Rs 2.34 lakh) in the USA. Benelli will have to bring the scooter via the CKD route or heavily localise components to get the price down. Watch this space for more updates.