The lion cub is all set to re-enter the Indian market in the coming months
Quick News Highlights:
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2025 Benelli Leoncino 250 spied testing in India
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Pricing could be around the Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom) mark
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The launch is expected by mid-2025
A test mule of what appears to be the Benelli Leoncino 250 has been spotted testing on Indian roads with camouflage, hinting at a possible launch soon. The motorcycle, seen undergoing a road test, carries several unmistakable design elements of the Leoncino, a neo-retro offering from the Italian brand. Notably, it was sold in India from 2019 to 2020 in BS4 guise, at a price of Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom).
Design
The design, with its muscular fuel tank, compact dimensions, and overall silhouette clearly identifies this bike as the Leoncino 250. The styling elements are also very similar to the bigger Leoncino 500. The test motorcycle also has a rear tyre hugger with a number plate holder.
Engine
The visible radiator on the bike confirms the presence of liquid cooling for the 249cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, DOHC engine. This engine delivers 26PS at 9,250rpm, 21Nm at 8,000rpm, and comes paired with a six-speed gearbox. The engine will be OBD-2B-compliant, and expect the output figures to be the same for the India-bound model as well. Also, the exhaust design seems different, and it comes with a bolt-on heat shield.
Underpinnings
This Benelli has a steel trellis frame, an inverted fork with 125mm of travel, and a pre-load adjustable monoshock with 60mm travel. Braking is managed by a 280mm front and a 240mm rear petal discs. The motorcycle runs on 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends, with a 110-section front and 150-section rear tyre. It also has a 12.5-litre fuel tank capacity and a seat height of 800mm.
Features
Features wise, the Benelli includes an LCD instrument console, LED lighting all around, and dual-channel ABS. That said, the LED indicator shape is different in the spied bike, and it lacks indicators at the rear. The rear view mirror design also seems to be different compared to the one sold abroad.
Launch And Rivals
The Leoncino 250 could be expected to launch on our shores sometime by mid-2025, at an ex-showroom price of around Rs 2.8 lakh. More details on pricing and availability in India are expected in the coming months. Upon launch, it will compete with rivals such as the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250, KTM 250 Duke, Suzuki Gixxer 250, and the recently launched Hero Xtreme 250R. It will also be the only other neo-retro alternative in the 250cc segment after the Vitpilen 250. Currently, Benelli sells only the 500cc range in India – the Leoncino 500, TRK 502, TRK 502 X, and the 502C. So, the Leoncino 250, once launched, will be the cheapest Benelli bike in India.
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