Benelli To Launch TNT 135 By March 2017

Benelli will launch the TNT 135, a 135cc mini-bike, by March 2017, Motowheels chairman Shirish Kulkarni said at the opening of a new Benelli showroom in Vadodara. The TNT 135 was first showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo and is now expected to be priced between Rs 1.3 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh.

"We are busy completing the formalities, including trial, before commercially launching a 135cc mini bike by March next," Kulkarni said.

The TNT 135 is powered by a 135cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that is paired to a five-speed transmission. The engine is expected to make around 12.6bhp at 9,000rpm and maximum torque of 10.8Nm at 7,000rpm.

The bike's design is inspired by Benelli's larger bikes, and with aggressive styling and a punchy motor for its size. The naked "mini-bike" comes equipped with an upside-down 41mm front fork and a rear swingarm with lateral shock absorber with spring pre-load adjustment system. Braking is handled by a 220mm disc at the front and a 190mm disc at the rear.

Benelli has a Rs 350 crore manufacturing facility at Talegaon near Pune with an installed capacity of 50,000 units per annum. Benelli sells seven motorcycle models in India, ranging from 250cc to the 1130cc TNT-R. The 135cc mini-bike will be the smallest Benelli bike to be launched in India.