Husqvarna

Husqvarna electric scooter render
Besides an electric scooter, Husqvarna is also developing an electric motorcycle tentatively named E-Pilen

Husqvarna’s parent company, Pierer Mobility has announced that it has deferred the launch of its first electric scooter offering to 2022. Internally codenamed E-01, the e-scooter was earlier expected to make its debut this year itself. Furthermore, the company shared that it would first be launched in a European market.
While the company hasn’t revealed the exact reason for this delay, we suspect the Covid-19 pandemic and global shortage of semiconductor chips to have played a major role in affecting its launch timeline. Earlier it was revealed that this upcoming e-scooter would likely be based on Bajaj Chetak electric scooter’s platform.
Development of E-01
Although its underpinnings will be borrowed from the Indian manufacturer, it will wear a completely different top hat. It will be designed and configured in line with the needs of and preferences of European consumers. It will be categorised as an L3e-A1 EV as per EU regulations and hence its power output will not be more than 11 kW and its power to weight ratio won’t exceed 0.1 kW/kg.
Pierer Mobility aims to tap into the electric two-wheeler segment in Europe which is expected to be a $10 billion market by 2025. The company claims that existing European motorcycle and scooter segments between 50cc and 125cc will turn 50 percent electric in the low voltage range on short distance by 2030.
Bajaj Chetak
At the conclusion of Chetak electric Yatra in Pune, Bajaj had confirmed that the Chetak Electric platform will also be extended to a performance model which could be branded as a KTM or Husqvarna. Within a few weeks of this announcement, Pierer Mobility confirmed that it was developing a common 48V electric two-wheeler platform planned for mass consumers in India.
Developed under the ‘Urban E-Mobility’ strategy, the Swedish brand is working towards introducing an electric two-wheeler which would be the stepping stone n the PTW segment (Powered Two Wheeler segment). Bajaj recently announced the setup of their new plant in Pune, which will be exclusively used to manufacture new KTM, Husqvarna two wheelers as well as Chetak electric scooter.
Expected Specs, Design & Features
In terms of specifications, Chetak e-scooter features an electric motor that generates 4 kW and 16 Nm of peak torque. This motor is paired to an IP67-rated 3 kWh air-cooled battery pack. Initially, the new Husky e-scooter was intended to be powered by a 10 kW motor, however, it seems that it will be offered with the same 4 kW unit itself in order to be more competitively priced.
As mentioned earlier, E-01 will sport a very different design as compared to its distant Indian cousin. It will feature sleek body panels and will be offered with creature comforts such as an all-digital console, smartphone connectivity, LED DRLs, etc. Husqvarna has not mentioned any modular battery system on E-01, therefore, it is safe to assume that buyers would have to charge their e-scooter through wall-mounted chargers just like Chetak. More

Husqvarna Svartpilen 125
Hungary has become one of the first country in the world to get the entry-level Husqvarna Svartpilen 125

European markets have good demand for small displacement bikes, thanks to regulations that prohibit riders from opting for a high-end big bike before they spend enough time on smaller rides. For this reason, Husqvarna has launched its entry-level, made in India offering Svartpilen 125 in European markets.
Price of Svartpilen 125 in Hungary starts from HUF 1.64 million (approx Rs 4.02 lakhs). The bike is imported from India as a CBU. It is manufactured at the Bajaj plant in Pune. In 2020, Husqvarna production crossed the 10,000 mark from India plant.
As we already know Svartpilen, which translates to Black arrow, is a naked scrambler while its twin sibling Vitpilen, which translates to White arrow, is a cafe racer. As of now, there are no reports of the latter being considered for the European markets in its smallest iteration.
Hardware & Powertrain
Svartpilen 125 shares its mechanicals with its KTM counterpart Duke 125. Like the naked streetfighter from the Austrian bikemaker, Svartpilen 125 will derive its power from a 124.7cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC engine which produces 15 hp at 9,500rpm and 12 Nm of peak torque at 7500rpm. For an engine of this capacity, output figures are more than decent. It has a top speed of around 100 kmph.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 125
This unit is mated to a six-speed gearbox. Even its hardware setup is carried over from its Austrian cousin. It is based on a steel Trellis frame which is suspended at 43mm WP Apex USD forks at front and a 5-step preload adjustable WP Apex mono-shock at rear.
Anchorage duties are handled by a 320mm disc with a 4-piston caliper from ByBre upfront and a 230mm disc at rear with a 2-piston caliper. This will be assisted by a dual-channel ABS from Bosch. Fuel tank capacity is 9.5 liters while dry weight is 146 kgs. Ground clearance if 143mm.
Design & Features
In terms of styling, its design will be identical to the bigger Svartpilens. This means it will feature a single, round LED headlamp with an LED DRL ring around its circumference.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 125
It will adopt a minimalist approach to design as it will contain very few body panels. Its equipment will consist of an LCD instrument cluster which will give out crucial information although some of the features offered in bigger iterations might be given a miss.
Prospective India Launch
What holds more significance is that like Duke 125 and other Husqvarna models, this Svartpilen 125 is also likely to be launched in India. Moreover, Duke 125 is a very popular model in India and if priced right, its Swedish cousin can also find many takers. Once launched in India, it will likely be priced lower than the Duke 125, which is priced at Rs 1.51 lakhs, ex-sh. More

Husqvarna 250
The Swedish bikemaker plans to launch of Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 in India next

Husqvarna India has done rather well in 2020; not only in domestic market but also where exports were concerned. This is especially so since the entire two wheeler segment had faced sales constraints in the earlier months in view of the pandemic situation.
Husqvarna is a subsidiary of KTM and Bajaj. Just like KTM, Bajaj also manufactures Husqvarna motorcycles under 400 cc in India, at the Pune plant. As of now, only the Husqvarna 250 is on sale in India, while the 201 and 401 are only for export.
Husqvarna 250 Domestic Sales
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 domestic sales during the period June to December 2020 stood at 4,430 units. This accounted for over 42% share in total sales of the company for 2020.
Sales which started off at 428 units in June 20, increased to 725 units in July and then on to 972 units in August which was its best monthly sales figure. Sales in September and October also were over the 700 unit mark but then Nov 20 sales dipped once again to 485 units and then lower to 297 units in Dec 20.
Husqvarna India sales and exports – June to Dec 2020
It may be recalled that in December, the price of both these bikes where hiked by Rs.1,790 while earlier this month as well, the company increased prices of the Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 by Rs.2,818 and Rs.2,816 respectively. Following this most recent price hike, the Svartpilen 250 urban tourer is now priced at Rs.1,89,568 while the Vitpilen 250 café racer carries a price tag of Rs. 1,89,952. All prices are ex-sh.
Husqvarna 201, 250 and 401 Exports
It was from Feb 2020 that KTM-Bajaj commenced exports of Husqvarna motorcycles manufactured at the company’s Chakan plant near Pune. Exports commenced with the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401. Few months later, exports of the 201 and 401 range also started.
Where exports were concerned, a total of 1,396 units of the Husqvarna 201 were shipped during the June-Dec 20 period. Even as this model noticed ups and downs in each of the preceding months, the year closed on a positive note with exports being the highest at 504 units in Dec 20.
Husqvarna India domestic sales vs exports – June to Dec 2020
Total exports of the Husqvarna 250 stood at 1,187 units in the June-Dec 20 period with a share of 11.30 percent. Again in this case, exports were the highest in Dec 20 at 295 units.
Of the Husqvarna 401, exports started off on a high note in June 20 at 1,220 units but then on dipped over July, August and Sept to its lowest exports in Nov 20 at 72 units. Shipments in December once again revived marginally to 160 units.
In the six month period from June-Dec 20, Husqvarna India registered total sales (including exports) of 10,503 units. The company has noted higher exports at 6,073 units, as against domestic sales of 4,430 units. More

Husqvarna Blapilen Render
The Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser family with multiple engine variants could bring in a whole new class of audience under the brand’s umbrella

Under the ownership of KTM AG, Husqvarna evolved from making niche motocross and enduro models for competition to also making road bikes. The Vitpilen and Svartpilen family of motorcycles mark the beginning of a new era for the Swedish motorcycle brand.
Husqvarna to explore more product segments
While KTM continues to focus on sharp sportsbikes and adventure tourers, it will be using its subsidiary to expand its reach into hitherto unexplored territories. For starters, Husqvarna will debut a new electric scooter sometime next year with a 4 kW platform which will be derived from Bajaj Chetak. The stylish urban runabout will be made it India for global consumption. There will also be an electric motorcycle by the name of E-Pilen.
Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser
With demand for cruisers on the rise, what if Husqvarna decided to launch a cruiser motorcycle, christened Blapilen – Swedish for Blue Arrow. Our in-house design expert Pratyush Rout gave it a shot and this is the end result.
If at all the Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser is to become a reality, we reckon it will derive its design inspiration from its street fighter siblings with a circular LED infused headlight, an unconventional fuel tank design with extruded badge-carrying elements, and a minimal tailpiece with a compact LED taillight.
Husqvarna Blapilen Render
It is reasonable to assume that the Blapilen cruiser would continue to employ a trellis frame but with altered geometry and a lower rear sub-frame. To keep the costs in check, such a product is most likely to share its suspension, wheels and braking system with the Vitpilen and Svartpilen families. As the rendering suggests, a Husqvarna cruiser could be a very interesting proposition.
Powertrain
Just like the existing Husqvarna road motorcycles, the cruiser could be available in 200, 250, 401 and 701 avatars depending on the market. If this project attains fruition, the first three are likely to have India as their production base.
Husqvarna Blapilen Render
We think the Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser has the potential to bring a whole new class of audience under the brand’s umbrella. The cruiser family will cover a wide range of rivals such as the Honda Rebel, Kawasaki Vulcan, Harley Street, and so on. Even the Royal Enfield’s to an extent.
It is to be noted that Husqvarna has not officially confirmed the existence of a cruiser named Blapilen in its pipeline. If at all there is such a project underway, we don’t expect such a motorcycle to be ready for a couple of years. More