Benelli’s Tornado 650, 550, and TNT 550 Models Teased

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This sketch of the forthcoming Tornado 650 shows the same frame and four-cylinder engine as on the existing QJmotor 600cc model. (Benelli/)

For the last couple of years we’ve seen Benelli’s sister brand QJmotor launch a host of new models that look to be ideal additions to the Benelli range on the global market. Now that finally appears to be happening with teasers emerging online for a Tornado 650 four-cylinder sportbike and both Tornado and TNT machines made around the company’s latest 550cc twin. Although we can’t confirm it, Chinese sources say the images originated from Benelli’s own social media. They show illustrations of all three new models, albeit in a style that suggests they’re still some way from production.

Related: Updated Benelli TNT 600 Revealed

The Tornado 550 appears to share its parallel-twin engine with MV Agusta’s Lucky Explorer 5.5, though it’s wrapped in much sportier bodywork. (Benelli/)

The long-expected transfer of QJmotor development to Benelli machinery took a step forward late last year when Benelli revealed the TRK 800. That bike is closely related to the QJmotor SRT 750, with both models sharing the same 754cc twin engine and exactly the same chassis, differing only in some styling details. Since QJmotor already manufactures a 600cc sportbike based on Benelli’s old four-cylinder engine, and is poised to launch an upsized “650″ version, it’s long made sense that a Benelli-branded derivative would be the next step. The sketched Tornado 650 certainly fits that description, appearing to use the same frame and engine but gaining its own, sleeker-looking styling. We’re guessing that the missing brake disc on the right-hand side of the front wheel is an oversight on the part of the artist rather than a deliberate engineering decision…

In terms of performance, the current 600cc version of the four-cylinder engine is good for 87 hp, while the initial 628cc variant—revealed in approval documents for an updated version of the Benelli TNT 600 GT—only makes 80 hp. In Tornado trim that number should rise a little, but don’t expect the bike to be a rival for the likes of the Yamaha R6. It will be a cheaper, Chinese-made alternative operating in a lower class, more a rival to the Yamaha R7 than to more traditional 600cc supersport models.

The TNT model, meanwhile, will probably be a naked version of the Tornado 550, with no front fairing. (Benelli/)

The Tornado 550 and TNT 550 are both based around an upcoming 554cc QJmotor sportbike, which has already been spied in China. It has the same engine used in the company’s latest retro 550 model and in the new MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 5.5, which is made by QJmotor’s parent firm, Qianjiang, on behalf of MV, and is closely related to both a QJmotor adventure bike and Benelli’s TRK 502.

The spied QJmotor 554cc sportbike shares a very similar fairing shape to the proposed Benelli Tornado 550, differing mainly in its headlight treatment and upper side fairings, but both machines belie their sporty style with surprisingly high-mounted bars. We already know that in the MV Lucky Explorer 5.5, the 554cc twin is good for 47 hp. The sketches show two variations on the Benelli look, with slight differences in the nose treatment, suggesting the final style has yet to be established.

It appears that the TNT 550 will simply be a stripped-back, naked version of the Tornado 550, with an identical tank and tail and the same engine, frame and running gear, but no front fairing (though this sketch also shows a version with a fairing).

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