Husqvarna Working On Smaller 125cc, 250cc Motorcycles

The roster reportedly includes supermotos, enduro, explorer and roadsters

[Update: Husqvarna Vitpilen 250, Svartpilen 250 Launched In India]

• These bikes will borrow engines from the KTM 125, 250 and 390.
• They are likely to be BS6 compliant as well.
• All four platforms are likely to be manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant.
• They will be offered as premium offerings.

Reports suggest that Husqvarna is looking to cash in on the entry-level performance segment with smaller 125cc and 250cc bikes based on the KTM’s. What’s more interesting is the fact that the brand will introduce a fleet of bikes catering to different genres ranging from supermotos, enduro, explorer and roadsters.

Husqvarna basically employs the same product strategy as its Austrian owner KTM. As a result, the supermoto, enduro and roadster models will be offered with three engine displacements -- 125cc, 250cc and 401cc. The latter two engine formats will also be shared with the explorer and adventure series. The 390’s engine’s displacement will be bumped up to around 401cc and used across the two Huskie platforms. Expect engine performance figures to be near-identical to its KTM counterparts.

The Vitpilen 401 and the Svartpilen 401 will commence production at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant starting December this year. Naturally, we expect the entry-level bikes from the Swedish manufacturer to be produced locally with the new models likely to be set aside for exports. This could be part of KTM’s gameplan where it intends to manufacture more than two lakh motorcycles (KTM plus Husqvarna) in India by 2022.  Notably, all Huskies will be offered as premium bikes with a higher price tag compared to KTM. 

Expect the lower displacement bikes to carry design cues similar to that of bigger Husqvarna models. In terms of underpinnings, these bikes will carry over the same hardware from its KTM cousins -- inverted forks and a monoshock from WP and disc brakes at both ends mated to a radially mounted caliper up front. We could also expect the lighting system to be full LED along with a full digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity.

Unofficial bookings for the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 & Vitpilen 401 have already commenced. The launch, however, will take place post the BS6 emissions deadline of April 2020. We could expect the Vitpilen 401 to garner a price tag of Rs 3.2 lakh while the Svartpilen 401 may set you back by Rs 3.3 lakh (ex-showroom).

Source: Indianautosblog