India’s automotive industry will make a shift to BS6 emission standards by 13 May 2020 with adherence to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown protocols. The deadline to meet BS6 norms was previously set as 1 April 2020 but the Supreme Court of India recently extended this date on a conditional basis. However, this might not be of much help to struggling dealerships who have got a vast inventory of unsold BS4 units.
Considering the current state of affairs, several automakers in India, as well as outside, have started focusing on online platforms to make sales or host important events. Owing to this, we have witnessed a range of products being unveiled online over the past few weeks. Certain launches have also taken place rather silently. Now, the prices of Benelli India’s upcoming Imperiale 400 BS6 have been leaked online. Sources tell that the figures have gone up by almost Rs 40,000 to hit Rs 2.20 lakh ex-showroom.
A Benelli Imperiale 400 getting delivered.
Image – Benelli Vijayawada
The Benelli Imperiale 400 (read our review) hit the Indian market back in October 2019 as a strong rival to Royal Enfield’s Classic 350 and the new-gen Jawa siblings. Prices initially started at Rs 1.69 lakh ex-showroom and the classic motorcycle instantly proved to be a good choice. In February, the company had introduced a price increase of about Rs 10,000 (twice as high for certain colour choices).
However, a hike of Rs 40,000 is unreasonably high if an update to higher emission norms is the only change for 2020MY. Reports state that high US dollar exchange rates are the reason behind such a substantial price jump. Benelli India is expected to roll out its BS6 Imperiale 400 units in about a months’ time after the nationwide lockdown measures are withdrawn.
In its outgoing BS4 format, the Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered by an air-cooled FI SOHC 374cc single-cylinder engine. Output figures stand at 20.7bhp and 29Nm of torque while mated to a 5-speed transmission. With BS6 update, these figures could see a minor difference (the trend is usually downwards).
On the international market, Benelli is planning an aggressive product strategy. The popular TNT600i inline-4 naked sports motorcycle could be replaced by the all-new Benelli 600N, with fresh styling, more features and better performance characteristics. In fact, Benelli is also working an Imperiale 530 model — which, as the name suggests, might sport a 500cc single-cylinder engine (also air-cooled). Could this price hike apply for an India-bound BS6 ‘Imperiale 530’ model?
Source
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
