Breaking: Benelli Imperiale 250 In the Works, India Launch Likely

The all-new 250cc powerplant will be a long stroke unit like the Royal Enfields

Benelli has been updating its global lineup to comply with Euro 5 emission norms. Besides updating older motors the bikemaker will also introduce new engines in its global as well as Indian lineup. What caught our eye was a new 250cc air-cooled long stroke motor in the works. 

Now Benelli does have a liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor that does duty in its TRK 251 and Leoncino 250 motorcycles. The new one will be a long stroke thumper which would sit perfectly with a smaller Imperiale’s laidback retro character. Having a smaller Imperiale 250 in its lineup also lets Benelli set its sights on Royal Enfield whose bikes dominate the 300cc to 400cc motorcycle segment in India. Royal Enfield is reportedly working on a 250cc motorcycle most likely to be called the Sherpa.

Besides the 250cc motor, Benelli also has two other Euro5/ BS6 single-cylinder engines in its lineup. One of them is the updated 380cc powerplant seen on the Imperiale 400 BS6. The Indian market is the first to receive the Imperiale 400 BS6 and the updated Euro 5 motorcycle will soon enter European markets. The other engine is a larger capacity 530cc unit for the Imperiale as well. However the Imperiale 530 is highly unlikely to be launched in India as we already have the Imperiale 400 BS6 in India. With the Imperial 530 costing more than the Imperiale 400 BS6 which is already more expensive than its rivals, Benelli will have a hard time selling the Imperiale 530 in India. 

We expect to see the Imperial 250 being launched in India sometime next year.

Benelli Interceptor 400 BS6 shown for representation