Sleek and aggressive lines, compact and modern dimensions, the Tornado 500 is Benelli's new proposal for the sports segment, created to respond to an everincreasing demand from the global motorbike market and to meet the needs and demands of a younger public. An agile, easy and manoeuvrable motorbike, designed for all-round fun and developed on the technical basis of the Tornado Naked Twin 500, with which it shares the frame and the tried and tested 500cc engine, already present in the best-sellers in the range. A motorbike born and developed entirely by R&D and the Benelli Style Centre in Pesaro, Italy, which, on the basis of the technical features of its naked “sister”, has created new styling dedicated to this two-wheeler. From a formal point of view, the styling cues present on the Tornado Naked Twin 500 have evolved. The fairing surfaces are sculpted and dynamic to emphasise the motorbike's sporty character. The shapes are compact and extremely contemporary to give this two-wheeler a refined and modern style. The generous volumes, emphasised by the lines of the tank, are enhanced by the sharp tail, the handlebars and the large front headlight fairing that merges with the side fairings. The large DRLs of the headlamp unit outline a luminous shape inspired by the sharp teeth of a lion, Benelli's symbol par excellence, and are completely separated from the central high and low beam modules. There is also modernity and functionality with the development of the tail light, which is integrated into the turn indicators. 

The Tornado 500 is powered by a 500 cc parallel twin-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid cooled, double overhead camshaft timing system, four valves per cylinder. A smooth but responsive engine that responds well under acceleration and offers a maximum power output of 47.6 hp (35 kW) at 8500 rpm and peak torque of 46 Nm at 6000 rpm. It has wet-sump lubrication, wet clutch, and a six-speed gearbox with final chain drive. For this two-wheeler, the engine has been updated to the Euro 5+ standard.

The Tornado 500 shares the frame of its “naked” sister, featuring a traditional steel trellis frame, making this two-wheeler agile, fast and light both on the road and through the corners. The suspension system consists of a Marzocchi upside-down fork at the front with 41-millimetre diameter legs, adjustable on spring preload, hydraulic compression and rebound damping, and capable of 115-mm travel. On the back there is a swinging arm with central adjustable monoshock in the spring preload and rebound damping. The travel, in this case, is 125mm at the wheel.  

The 17" aluminium alloy rims mount a 120/70 tyre on the front and 160/60 at the rear. The Brembo brakes are entrusted to a 320-millimetre diameter semi-floating double disc with radial master cylinder and four-piston radial monobloc calliper on the front wheel. At the back is a 260-millimetre diameter disc with a single-piston floating calliper. ABS is standard.

The instrumentation features a 5-inch, high-resolution TFT colour display, which has Bluetooth for mobile phone connection and with which, thanks to the handlebar switches, it is possible to answer and end calls. By connecting via wi-fi, it will also be possible to turn the dashboard of your motorbike into a navigator. Also present is the TPMS function for tyre pressure monitoring. USB and USBc socket as standard.  

The Tornado 500 will be available at all Benelli dealers during the first few months of 2024. Price and colours are being finalised.