Scoop – Husqvarna India exports have started with 106 units of the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 in January 2020.
It is not news that Husqvarna Motorcycles will be hitting the Indian market soon. The Swedish-origin brand under KTM will launch its first line of products in the country later this year. The motorcycles (Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401) will be assembled at Bajaj’s Chakan facility which also serves as the manufacturing hub for KTM products in India as well as some foreign markets. Bajaj Auto owns a 48% stake in KTM AG.
Now, we have received information that Husqvarna Motorcycles India has commenced export operations of the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401. Put together, 106 units of the motorcycles were exported in January 2020. The figure is expected to see a rise in the coming months as production gets streamlined.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
The Husqvarna 401 models were spotted on multiple occasions on Indian roads as part of testing. The motorcycles were expected to make an official debut at India Bike Week 2019, but Husqvarna surprised everyone with the global unveiling of the Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250, which will be launched in India before the 401s. Both the 401 and 250 range will be retailed through major KTM India outlets. In the initial phase, 125 outlets will serve as the modified ‘KTM-Husqvarna’ showrooms. Bajaj plans to improve the network to more than 350 outlets in a few months’ time from then.
The Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 are based on the same platform which underpins the KTM 390 Duke. The engine will most likely remain in the same state of tune, making the neo-retro motorcycles a pair of solid performers in the 300-400cc category. In the latest BS6 format, the KTM 390 Duke makes 43bhp and 37Nm of torque from its 373cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder engine. The power plant is mated to a 6-speed transmission via a slipper clutch.
Similarly, the all-new Swartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 are based on the KTM 250 Duke. The 249cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder motor churns out 31bhp and 24Nm. The 6-speed transmission is coupled to a slipper clutch. In typical KTM fashion, the 250 Duke is the best-performing motorcycle in the 250cc category.
The KTM Duke 250 and RC 250 (not available in the Indian market) are actively exported from Bajaj’s manufacturing facility in Chakan. For the same reason, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 — two ‘Huskies’ which are unavailable in any market — are also potential export products. The KTM 250 line-up will be updated by the 250 Adventure in the coming months. It is only recently that the company launched the KTM 390 Adventure.
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
