Benelli takes advantage of Eicma 2021 to announce the expansion of the Leoncino model range, which marked (together with the Imperiale) the rebirth of the Pesaro brand. In addition to the 250 and 500 already on the list, there will also be a 125 and an 800, with the same engine as the Trk, another novelty presented at the show.
Let’s start with the smallest of the house, which will have a 12.8 horsepower single-cylinder engine, with four valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled and with a six-speed gearbox. The line will follow that of the older sisters, with the already known mix of classic and modern lines, with the novelty of a “full led” front light unit.
The Leoncino 800 will be in two versions (normal and Trail), as is already the case for the 500. The line becomes a little more sculpted, keeping the stylistic element of the bow on the headlight and tank, which reproduces the “family feeling” of the range. . The engine is the same as the Trk 800, with a power of 76.2 horsepower at 8500 rpm, a torque of 67 Nm at 6500 rpm and a six-speed gearbox. The instrumentation gains the Tft screen, contributing to the modernity of the dashboard. In the “normal” version, the 17-inch rims are devoted to agile driving, the Brembo double disc brakes at the front and rear single disc brakes promise adequate braking performance. The tank has a capacity of 15 liters, more than enough for trips outside the city: the Leoncino is a “naked” one, long journeys could become tiring.
In the Trail configuration, the front wheel becomes 19 inches, precisely to favor the “scrambler” nature and off-road raids, supported by 148 mm front suspension (compared to 140 for the “normal” one). At the rear, the swingarm reaches 140 millimeters, raising the seat from 803 to 834 millimeters. The double high side exhaust was designed specifically for this version and contributes to the “roar” of the Leoncino.
As with the Trk 800, availability and prices will arrive in spring 2022.
