The Benelli TNT 300 is due for a replacement by end of this year, with the 302S. So how different is it to the outgoing model.





The KTM 390 Duke has been a dominant player in the sub-400cc segment which also gets the best features money can buy. A power-packed performer, with a ton of features that no one can compete with, or is it? Benelli might think otherwise, at least with their new lineup of bikes, one of which is aimed at competing directly with the KTM 390 Duke. It's called the Benelli 302S which replaces the TNT 300. And here’s what you can expect from the new bike.



 



Design -



While the old Benelli TNT 300 looked a bit dull and slow, the new 302S is sure to brighten things up with its design. The stance of the new 302S is a lot more aggressive as all the lines on the bike, right from the headlight to the tail section, emanating power! Its all-new LED headlight, a chiselled tank (same as before), complimented with well-sculpted tank shrouds make the bike look masculine and slick at the same time. Minimal stickering and a dual-tone paint job makes the bike look poised yet mature. Not to mention, the red trellis frame that adds just the right amount of flare to the bike.





Equally important is the all-new fully-digital instrument cluster which will read out a lot more information compared to the dated semi-digital unit available on the outgoing model. The tail section looks a lot sportier thanks to an all-new design where the entire rear section is raised and a lot less bulky. The old stepped up seat has been replaced with a newly designed one which flows with the design of the bike. The Benelli 302S also gets a new LED tail light.



 



Engine -



At the heart of the bike lies the same inline-two cylinder, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled engine, although this time BS-IV complaint. It produces 38PS at 11000 rpm and 25.6Nm of torque at 9750 rpm. a 6-speed transmission transfers power to the rear wheel via chain drive. 16 litre of fuel tank capacity should be sufficient for long hauls.





Considering the growing competition, we could expect minor tweaks to the engine to improve power delivery.



 



Underpinnings -



The Benelli 302S is essentially the TNT 300 in a new avatar, so the mechanicals are pretty much the same. It employs a steel trellis frame with 41mm upside-down forks in the front and a side mounted rear monoshock with preload adjustability. Since the design of the bike looks a lot sharper, we suspect the rear subframe to be a different unit compared to the one used on the outgoing model.





Anchoring the bike are twin 260mm floating discs coupled with four-piston calipers up front and a single 240mm disc brake at the rear. The 302S will also feature dual-channel ABS which comes in as standard. Its 17-inch alloys are shod with 120/70 section tyre at the front and a fat 160/70 section tyre at the rear. Weighing in at 204 kg, the Benelli 302S isn’t light by any means, but its trellis frame should allow is to handle well in corners.



 



Expected Price -





Since the Benelli TNT 300 ABS variant was priced at Rs. 3.3 lakh, we suspect the new 302S to command a premium of around Rs 10,000 which brings the price to Rs 3.4 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). When launched, the Benelli 302S will continue to rival against the Kawasaki Z250, BMW G310 R and the KTM 390 Duke.



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