China-based manufacturing giant, Qianjiang, is working independently on another new model.
This time, it’s the Qianjiang QJMotor brand that will be introducing a new model in the form of a middleweight bike.
The new model comes based on Benelli’s Leoncino 500, but it increases engine size to 549cc, up from 499cc on the Leoncino 500.
The parallel-twin engine powering the Benelli Leoncino 500 has received a displacement bump from 499cc to 549cc, and it may be with new pistons and a remapped ECU.
The additional displacement comes with a 3.4bhp increase in the output figure.
Making two different engines for near-identical motorcycles may not be a sound business strategy. However, it will help the Leoncino 500
But then there are no official words. The design looks different when compared with Leoncino 500. Weight too is lower, 193kg, compared with the Leonico 500, which has 207 kg.
The type-approved documents indicate two different variants. The standard model has the brake pads from Benelli, while the high end will arrive with Brembos.
Again the standard model has the tubular steel frame unit, while the high-end model will get the aluminium swingarm.
While we see Benelli Motorcycles India bringing seven new models with BS6 emission norms, we could see one more additional model in the Benelli portfolio.
Source: Bennetts
