2020 Benelli TNT 600i spotted in China

Less than a week ago, we told you that Benelli confirmed that it would update its popular TNT 600i to meet the upcoming BS6 emission norms. Now, new spy shots from China reveal that the four-cylinder bike is set to get a complete overhaul as well. The naked motorcycle will get revised styling, minor mechanical changes and an update to its electronics.

The TNT 600i has been around in its current form for a while now. While it only made its Indian debut back in 2015, it was available internationally, even before that. The only update it got was ABS in 2017. However, the new images reveal that the bike is set to get many updates; the biggest one being to the design. Towards the front, there is a new LED headlight that looks a lot more contemporary. The tank, meanwhile, is significantly different and has sharply styled sides that stretch towards the front. On the side, the bike now appears to have small side panels, which it missed out on the last time around, and plastic elements on both sides of the radiator.

Benelli also appears to have drastically changed the bike’s rear too. It has ditched the distinctive twin under-seat exhausts, for a single muffler that is most likely on the motorcycle’s right side. Another change to make it more contemporary is the minimalistic tail – the number-plate holder has now been shifted to the tyre hugger.

Other components, especially the mechanical ones, appear to be carried over from the current model. The frame of the 2020 model looks almost identical and so does the swingarm. The fork and brakes also appear to be the same. The instrument cluster has seen a big change and is now a fully digital screen that seems to be a full-colour LCD unit.

While the engine looks very similar to the one on the existing model, it remains to be seen what Benelli may have done with it. In its current form, the TNT 600i makes 86.2hp and 54.6Nm of torque. It's likely that these figures may take hit as a result of the modifications made to meet the more stringent BS6 emission norms; by how much (if at all) remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain – the upcoming Benelli will continue to produce the screaming four-cylinder exhaust note it is known for.

At Rs 6.20 lakh, the current Benelli TNT 600i is the most affordable four-cylinder motorcycle in India. We expect the updated 2020 model to continue to hold this title even after it witnesses a marginal price hike.