Benelli TNT 135 Spotted In India; Launch By March 2017

The soon-to-be-launched Benelli TNT 135 mini-bike was recently spotted in India for the first time during an advertisement shoot. Slated to be launched by March 2017, Benelli first showcased the new TNT 135 at the 2016 Auto Expo. The design is inspired from the bigger Benellis and definitely adds to the stubby looks of the motorcycle. In India, the Benelli 135 is expected to be priced between Rs. 1.3 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh.

 

Benelli TNT 135 Spotted

Benelli has equipped the TNT 135 with a 135cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that is paired to a 5-speed transmission. The engine is expected to make around 12.6bhp at 9,000rpm and maximum torque of 10.8Nm at 7,000rpm. The production bike looks largely similar to the one we saw at the Auto Expo. The naked mini-bike comes equipped with an upside-down 41mm front fork and a rear swingarm with lateral shock absorber with spring preload adjustment system. Braking duties are handled by a 220mm disc up front and a 190mm disc at the rear. The bike has a ground clearance of 160mm and a seat height of 780mm that makes it easily accessible for young adults. The TNT 135 also gets a 7.2-litre fuel tank which should be more than enough for daily city commute.

Benelli TNT 135 at the 2016 Auto Expo

Mini-bikes have found a new liking among the Indian buyers after the launch of the Honda Navi. The Honda Grom-inspired Navi is powered by the Activa's engine and is essentially a scooter under a bike's skin. Benelli's TNT 135, however, is a proper mini motorcycle like the Honda Grom or the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. Both the Honda and Kawasaki mini-bikes aren't available on sale in India. The 135cc mini-bike will be the smallest Benelli bike to be launched in India. While the TNT 135 doesn't have a direct rival in India right now, if it sees any success in India that could very well invite global players like the Kawasaki Z125 Pro and the crowd favourite Honda Grom.

Image Source: TeamBHP