The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 will be launched in India next year and they will be positioned above KTM 390 cousins
Ever since the acquisition of Husqvarna brand by KTM, there were reports of the Swedish brand coming to India. A few days ago during the annual general meeting, Bajaj Auto’s Managing Director, Rajiv Bajaj, confirmed that Husqvarna brand will enter Indian market in the next financial year.
The Svartpilen 401 was already spotted in India but it resembled the international-spec version in terms of the aesthetics. However, the spy shot we got hold of right now tells a different story and makes us interpret more possibilities than one. Normally, Svartpilen only has wired spokes but the spy image comes with KTM Duke 390’s signature orange alloy wheels and they run on knobby off-road rubber instead of the performance tyres.
The body of Svartpilen 401 is camouflaged heavily but India spec model carries forward same design theme of global version and Husqvarna has given grab rails for the ease of pillion seating comfort. The Swedish manufacturer has used regular WP upside down forks at front and mono suspension at rear. The handle bar is a single piece unit while there is a fully digital instrument cluster.
The Svartpilen 401 is powered by same Duke 390 motor as evident from the KTM lettering written on engine casing. It is uncommon considering that Husqvarna will have its own insignia on it. This engine produces 42.9 bhp of power at 9,000 rpm and 37 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm and is mated to a 6 speed gearbox. The brakes come from Bybre and dual channel ABS will be standard.
Earlier there were rumours of KTM developing scrambler bikes and they could be testing components for Scrambler model with same 390 engine. In recent times, Adventure and Scrambler series are getting lots of attention from buyers in developed and emerging countries. The company will introduce Adventure 390 next year in India
Last month, we reported that KTM is planning to shift production of Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 to the Chakan plant of Bajaj. The Austrian manufacturer took this decision to reduce cost. The Svartpile 401 and Vitpilen 401 will be priced above KTM Duke 390 in India.
Image Shared by Soham Sakalikar