Is This The Benelli TNT 600i And 302R We Will Get Here?

Published March 16, 2021
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3 min read

New approval document reveals a substantial update for both the bikes since their debut

For a couple of weeks now, Benelli has been dominating the headlines. After launching the TRK 502 BS6 and the Leoncino 500 in India, the brand is gearing up to bring in the 502X. Now, images of the new TNT 600i and 302R have surfaced on the internet, and from the looks of it, the bikes have undergone a major overhaul since their introduction.

Benelli 302R

Benelli’s entry-level supersport was taken off the shelf after the announcement of the BS6 norms. Last year, the brand unveiled the 2020 iteration of the 302R in China, but sadly, it hasn’t made it to India yet. Now, Benelli is gearing up to give the bike its due update. The leaked image shows substantial cosmetic updates. Ditching the wide, old-fashioned fascia, Benelli has opted for a sleeker front end with vertically stacked projector headlamps a la Ducati 999R. The headlight unit is flanked by sleek LED DRLs on either side. Even the tail section looks thoroughly modern thanks to the sharper tail and air vents under the pillion seat. However, the side panels and the tank seems to have been carried over from the older model itself.

We expect the 302cc parallel-twin engine to produce slightly less power than the outgoing model. The previous model made 38.79PS at 11,500rpm and 26.5Nm at 10,000rpm. That said, with the lighter bodywork, we expect the bike to handle and deliver power better than its predecessor.

Benelli TNT 600i

The leaked images from the type-approval document reveal the TNT 600i has received a massive styling update, with the only identical part to the older model being the fuel tank. This is not the first filing from Benelli that we’ve come across. Previously, we have seen as many as three different designs for the TNT 600 and the recent filing seems to be the amalgamation of the previous designs.

The headlight looks like a vertically stacked dual projector unit. Though the tank seems to be the same, the shrouds flanking the radiator are brand new. Move over to the seat and you’ll notice the split seat unit is new, as opposed to the step-up seat mentioned in the previous type-approval filing.

Another massive change is the swingarm, which is similar to the parent company’s SRK600. Last year, the bike was equipped with a full-colour TFT dash which should be carried over on the new model. As for the hardware, Benelli could use Brembo calipers, just like Quianjiang’s motorcycles.

The 600cc in-line four motor, in its Euro5/BS6-compliant avatar, may produce slightly less power. For reference, the older TNT 600i on sale in India produced 86.24PS and 54.6Nm.

When Are We Getting These Bikes?

The Quianjiang Group has been hard at work for the last few years, rolling out an array of new motorcycles in select foreign markets. However, until last month, Benelli’s India portfolio had just the Imperiale 400. Now, with more motorcycles coming our way, we can expect the new 600i to grace our shores a few months after its international debut, which may be a few months away. If you can’t wait that long for an affordable mid-displacement naked, the CFMoto 650NK is due for a launch soon. For all supersport lovers, there’s CFMoto’s 300SR and a new KTM RC in the pipeline.