Swedish motorcycle maker Husqvarna, now owned by KTM, has just made an official announcement regarding its entry into the Indian market. Husqvarna is all set to transfer production of the Vitpilen cafe racer and the Svartpilen scrambler motorcycles to Bajaj Auto’s Chakan factory by the end of this year or early next year.
What this means is the Husqvarna twins are less than a year away from being launched in the India. Both motorcycles are based on the KTM Duke 390 platform, and share the engine, chassis and cycle parts with the former. The motorcycles are expected to be positioned similar to the KTM Duke 390 in terms of pricing. India will be a global hub for both bikes.
Meanwhile, here’s official comment from Husqvarna, confirming the transfer of production of the Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401s to Bajaj Auto’s Chakan factory,
“The Husqvarna Motorcycles will be rolled out across the global with e view to generating a significant increase in sales. The first models Vitpilen 401, Svartpilen 401, Vitpilen 701 are being produced in Mattighofen and were launched in the market at the beginning of 2018. The production of Hasqvarna Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 models to be sold worldwide will be transferred to Bajaj (Auto) in Chakan, India in late 2018 or early 2019. Extending the cooperation to the Husqvarna Motorcycle brand will raise the partnership between Bajaj and KTM to the next level.”
Both the Husqvarna 401s use the 373-cc four-stroke engine from the KTM Duke 390. Power and torque outputs remain similar at 44 Bhp-37 Nm. The slipper-clutch equipped 6-speed manual gearbox is also standard. While the Vitpilen gets retro, cafe racer styling, the Svartpilen is a more relaxed, scrambler-styled motorcycle. It remains to be seen if the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 gets additional suspension travel to justify its scrambler looks. For now though, it’s clear that cycle parts such as the suspension, brakes and even the chassis are borrowed from the KTM Duke 390. Specifications may vary though.
[“Source-cartoq”]