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Husqvarna and KTM India has increased prices of almost all their motorcycles in Dec 2020 – Here are the new prices
The post KTM Duke 200, 250, 390, ADV, RC Prices Increased – Dec 2020 appeared first on RushLane by Satya Singh. More
Husqvarna 401 Spied With KTM badge
While the Svartpilen is an urban tourer, the Vitpilen is termed as a cafe racer
Swedish motorcycle brand Husqvarna set foot in India with the launch of its naked twins- Svratpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250. A couple of months earlier, we reported that Husqvarna will now launch their naked twins with upgraded engines in the form of Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401.
Recently, one of the twins was spotted testing outside Pune by automotive enthusiast Padmasinh Patil. It is to be noted that Husqvarna is a subsidiary of Austrian motorcycle brand KTM and both are manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s facility in Chakan near Pune in Maharashtra.
Powertrain & Transmission
Like their 250 siblings, the 401 Twins will also share its powertrains with its KTM Duke counterpart. Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 will borrow the same 373.2 cc single-cylinder cooled DOHC engine from Duke 390.
This motor produces 44 PS of power and 37.5 Nm of peak torque and is paired to a six-speed gearbox. This engine is known for its high compression ratio which results in such impressive output figures. The same unit is also employed in Bajaj Dominar 400. The test mule spotted, had Husqvarna badging on its right side and KTM badging on its left side.
Coming to the test mule spied, it is difficult to predict exactly which model it is- Svartpilen or Vitpilen since it is wrapped in heavy camouflage. It is anyways difficult to differentiate between the two in terms of design. While Svartpilen is termed as an urban scrambler, the Vitpilen is looked on more as a cafe racer. The 401 twins will also share their underpinnings with 390 Duke.
Dynamics
Huskies 401 are expected to borrow major functional components from its KTM counterpart. While the Huskies serve as a more stylish option, the KTM Duke is a more racy motorcycle. Several mechanical parts like- suspension units- USD forks at front and adjustable mono-shock at rear; trellis frame structure and brakes are expected to be carried forward from Duke 390.
Design & Features
Although the Indian-spec Huskies 401 are likely to sport some additional attributes to distinguish itself from its European-spec model. For instance, the India-spec model is expected to ditch spoked wheels available in Europe for alloy rims. Additionally, pillion grab rails will be installed to comply with the safety norms set by the Indian Government.
In terms of features, standard features such as an all-LED lighting setup, ABS from Bosch and a fully digital instrument cluster is set to be carried forward from the 250 Twins. Svartpilen has been built as an urban explorer, it is set to be equipped with dual-purpose tyres. On the other hand, Vitpilen has been developed as a cafe racer with road-biased tyres.
The 401 Huskies were expected to hit showrooms towards the end of this year. However, it now seems unlikely and is expected to be launched early next year. One expects the 401 Husky Twins to be priced around Rs 20,000 lower than KTM 390 Duke which is offered at a price of Rs 2.58 lakh. Apart from their Austrian cousin, 401 Huskies will also lock horns with Bajaj Dominar 400, BMW G310R. Husqvarna sales in India are at about 700 units per month, while exports are at about 1,000 units. More
Husqvarna in India
Husqvarna India is expected to introduce the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 in the domestic market soon
After registering its best ever sales performance in August 2020 so far, the newly introduced premium motorcycle brand Husqvarna India saw its sales dip in both domestic and export sectors. The fluctuation in monthly numbers could be attributed to supply chain and production constraints rather than demand.
Husqvarna in India
The KTM-owned Swedish brand is still in the initial phase of its medium displacement motorcycle plan. Based on the KTM Duke platform, Husqvarna’s Vitpilen and Svartpilen is made in India with three engine options – 200, 250 and 401.
Husqvarna Sales and Exports Sep 2020
Only the 250 is currently on sale in the domestic market while all the three variants are being exported. Just like its KTM counterparts, the Huqvarna Vitpilen and Svartpilen 200, 250 and 401 variants are made at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility for the entire world.
The Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 and Svartpilen 250 are priced at INR 1.84 lakh (ex-showroom). The dynamic duo take on their sibling, the KTM Duke 250. All the three quarter liter street fighters are powered by the same single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor which produces 30 hp and 24 Nm of torque. Transmission is a 6-speed unit.
September 2020 sales
Last month, Husqvarna Vitpilen 200 and Svartpilen 200 managed to clock combined sales volume of 724 units as against 972 units in August 2020. When it comes to exports, each engine variant of the radical street fighter family reported month-on-month decline.
No
Husqvarna India
Sep 2020 Domestic
Sep 2020 Exports
Total
1
200
Not Launched
72
72
2
250
764
168
932
3
401
Not Launched
292
292
–
Total
764
532
1,296
Totally, 532 units of Husqvarna left the country compared to 803 in August. The net sales figures for the month of September 2020 stood at 1,296 units compared to August’s tally of 1,775 units. This is the lowest monthly cumulative sales registered by Husqvarna since the economy opened up post lockdown.
What’s next for Husqvarna
Husqvarna was gearing up for an eventful year in India but the pandemic has thrown a spanner it its works. As things are recovering in terms of production and market demand, we can see the brand stepping up its operations in the coming months. While the prospect of 200 cc variants in India remain uncertain, the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 are slated for domestic launch.
The company is also looking at foraying into the burgeoning electric two wheeler segment as early as next year. A leaked presentation at an investors meet in Europe indicated that Husqvarna is readying an electric motorcycle based on the existing platform and design language in addition to an electric scooter named E01.
The latter will have a power output of around 4 kW and is most likely to share its platform with the Bajaj Chetak. It is expected to be manufactured alongside its sibling and exported to several international markets. More
The India-made Husqvarna products are poised for a steady sales growth in both domestic as well as export markets
With the level of success the made-in-India KTM range of motorcycles have been enjoying globally, it is a no brainer for the company to extend this business model to its new Husqvarna medium displacement family as well. After all, they share their components with their respective KTM counterparts. For Bajaj Auto, addition of another premium brand to its production portfolio comes as a huge boost.
India-made Husqvarna motorcycles sales report
As of now, Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility manufacturers three Husqvarna models – 200, 250 and 401 – all of which is available in both Vitpilen and Svartpilen avatars. Only the 250 variants are on sale in India currently; but the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 are slated to be launched later this year.
Launched in February 2020, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 and Svartpilen 250 are witnessing steady month-on-month sales growth in the domestic market post lockdown. In August, the Swedish quarter-liter duo managed to clock 972 units in India as against 725 units in July and 428 units in June. This is the highest monthly sales posted by the Husqvarna motorcycles in India.
Husqvarna India Sales and Exports Aug vs July vs June 2020
With bottle necks in production, supply chain and logistics clearing up, we expect the upward trend to be maintained in the coming months as well. Though the Husqvarna’s are mechanically very closely related to the KTM Duke family, they bring to table a fresh appeal and unique styling.
Export performance
Just like the compact Dukes and RCs, the corresponding Vitpilens and Svartpilens are being made in India for global consumption. So, exports are bound to eventually overtake domestic sales but thanks to the global pandemic, things are still lukewarm in this regard.
The Husqvarna 401 which is based on the Duke 390 platform leads the export operations but in August, it witnessed a sharp decline. This could be attributed either to production constraint or logistical issue or both. Husqvarna exported a total of 1,775 units last month compared to 1,778 and 1,996 units in July and June 2020 respectively.
More made-in-India Husqvarnas coming
Husqvarna is currently working on two big ticket electric two wheelers for the global market. The electric motorcycle will share its frame, suspension, wheels and braking system with its medium displacement siblings while the E-01 electric scooter is likely to be based on Bajaj Chetak‘s architecture.
So, it is logical for Husqvarna to let Bajaj Auto handle the production of these two products in India. The Bajaj-KTM-Husqvarna combo sure looks like a win-win-win formula. More
Husqvarna 401 Twins will derive many of its components from its Austrian cousin- KTM Duke 390
Husqvarna is set to launch the elder siblings of Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 in India. The Swedish bike manufacturer will now launch the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 at the end of this year. Given that only three months are left in the year, we expect the 401 Twins to break covers sooner than later.
Husqvarna kickstarted their journey in India with the introduction of the 250 Twins– Svartpilen and Vitpilen. Like the 250 Twins which share their engine and platform with KTM Duke 250, the 401 Twins share their engine and platform with Duke 390. While the Svartpilen is an urban scrambler, the Vitpilen is more of a cafe racer.
Several functional components like the brakes, USD forks at front, mono-shock suspension at rear and trellis frame among many others have been borrowed from KTM for the Huskies 250 Twins. It is expected to be similar for Huskies 401 which is expected to borrow major parts from its KTM counterpart. While the Huskies serve as a more stylish option, the KTM Duke is a more racy motorcycle.
Husqvarna 250 in India
The same powertrain is expected to feature in the 401 Twins- a 373cc liquid-cooled DOHC motor single-cylinder engine which is meant for serious performance. This unit makes 44 PS of power and 37.5 Nm of torque. As usual, it will be paired with a 6-speed gearbox. This engine is known for its high compression ratio which results in such impressive output figures.
Features
However, the Indian spec Huskies 401 are likely to feature some changes in comparison to their European counterparts. For instance, the India-spec models are likely to ditch spoke wheels for alloy rims. Also the pillion grab rails are likely to be made standard.
When it comes to features, both the bikes will be equipped with standard features such as a fully-digital instrument cluster, an all-LED lighting setup and ABS from Bosch. Although it is hard to tell apart from their design, the Svartpilen will be an urban explorer equipped with dual-purpose tyres to support light off-roading. The Vitpilen 401, on the other hand, will be a cafe racer with road-biased tyres.
Sales and Price
Husqvarna India Sales / Exports July 2020 vs July 2019
Sales of Husqvarna motorcycles in India for July 2020 stood at about 725 units. In June 2020 it was about 428 units. Along with domestic sales of the 250s, they also make the 200s and the 401s in India. Including exports, cumulative sales of Husqvarna stood at 1,778 units in July 2020.
Currently, the Huskies 250 Twins have been priced at Rs 1.85 lakh, a full Rs 20,000 below KTM Duke 250, therefore, one can expect the 401s to be priced slightly below Duke 390. The Duke 390 is currently retailed at Rs 2.58 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom. Upon their launch, the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 will rival the likes of Dominar, BMW G 310 and of course its KTM cousin. More
The Husqvarna E-01 electric scooter will have Europe as its primary market
A leaked internal document has thrown light on short term plans of KTM and its sister brand Husqvarna. The latter is clearly gearing up to establish a strong presence in the affordable electric two wheeler segment. Husqvarna is planning two EVs in the next two years and both of them will have strong Indian connection.
Husqvarna E-01 and Bajaj Chetak
According to the leaked document, a Husqvarna branded electric scooter named E-01 and a motorcycled called E-Pilen are currently under development. The 4 kW electric urban runabout will be launched in 2021. While there are no further details about the Husqvarna E-01, we think it will be based on the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter’s platform. For the uninitiated, Bajaj Auto holds 48% stake in KTM which in turn owns Husqvarna.
The Indian e-scooter also employs a 4 kW motor making it a viable platform for the Husqvarna scooter to adopt. It also comes with modern connectivity features that a premium offering like E-01 is expected to incorporate.
Husqvarna electric scooter, motorcycle launch plans featured in company’s annual report to share holders
Bajaj Auto’s Chakan production facility has already established itself as a global production base for sub-500 cc KTM and Husqvarna road-bikes. Taking advantage of the Chetak’s Indian vendor base and Bajaj’s cost-effective production operations is a no-brainer for Husqvarna.
Design
If the thumbnail image of the Husqvarna Electric scooter shown on the leaked image is to be taken as a reference, the premium urban electric scooter will have an edgy concept-like styling. The image does not detail the suspension system of the scooter but we expect the production version to employ telescopic front forks and single-sided rear shock absorber.
The wheels are also expected to be conventional alloy units with front and rear disc brakes. Being a premium product primarily targeted at Europe, the Husqvarna E-01 will be packed with features such as dual-channel ABS, a color instrument console (probably even a touchscreen), smartphone connectivity and so on.
India Launch
Bajaj Chetak Electric
As we said before, the Husqvarna E-01 is most likely to borrow the Bajaj Chetak’s 4 kW / 16 Nm electric motor and 4.08 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Husqvarna may opt to offer a higher capacity battery pack for an increased range. The Chetak has a claimed range of 95 kms. Top speed is a little over 60 kmph.
Being made in India does not automatically guarantee that that the Husqvarna E-01 will be sold in domestic market. However, the future of premium electric scooter segment in India appears promising and Husqvarna would do well to be one of the early entrants. More
The Husqvarna E-Pilen is most likely to have India as its primary production location
KTM and its sister brand Husqvarna are betting big on electric mobility in the long term. Following an electric scooter, the Swedish two wheeler brand Husqvarna is also working on a zero emission motorcycle called E-Pilen which is most likely to employ the modular electric platform which is being developed by KTM in association with Bajaj.
Husqvarna E-Pilen
The existence of Husqvarna E-Pilen came to light, thanks to an internal document which was shared at an investor meeting organized by Pierer Mobility AG (KTM and Husqvarna’s parent company). The document not only shared an early concept sketch of the Husqvarna electric motorcycle but also revealed some key details. For starters, the compact street fighter will be available with modular battery pack and two power levels – 4 kW and 10 kW.
The document also indicates that the Husqvarna E-Pilen will be ready for a launch in 2022. Further details are scarce but considering that the Bajaj-KTM modular electric platform is being developed to cater to power outputs ranging between 3 to 10 kW, this product is most likely to be one of the first beneficiaries.
What does the image say?
The low resolution image of the Husqvarna E-Pilen appears to be that of a tentative concept. As the development process nears completion, the final design and equipment are expected to change. From what we can see from the photograph, the E-Pilen derives its design inspiration from the IC-engined Vitpilen and Svartpilen street fighters. The trellis frame, USD front forks, rear monoshock, alloy wheels and tyres are likely to be shared with its siblings.
The fuel tank is there only for aesthetic purposes and the space occupied by IC engine will accommodate an electric motor and modular battery system. It remains to be seen if the rear wheel is driven by chain or belt.
To be made in India
The aforementioned modular electric platform for compact premium motorcycles will have India as its primary production base. Like the compact displacement KTM and Husqvarna products, the upcoming electric models up to 10 kW will be made by Bajaj at its Chakan facility. We can expect the e-mobility platform to also spawn KTM and Bajaj branded products in due course.
Rivals
The Husqvarna E-Pilen will be positioned as a lifestyle urban mobility solution for young audience in Europe. In India, it will be a premium alternative to the likes of the Revolt RV400 and upcoming Tork T6X. More
Bajaj Auto had confirmed that a performance-focused electric scooter (based on the Chetak EV) will come under KTM and Husqvarna
Bajaj Auto has a strong portfolio of single-cylinder sports motorcycles under its wings, in the form of KTM India and Husqvarna Motorcycles India. Husqvarna is relatively new to the Indian market and has only two products on offer: Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250. They are essentially a KTM 250 Duke inside, with extra attention to detail on the outside. Husqvarna Motorcycles India will eventually bring down its ‘200’ and ‘401’ models.
KTM India has already set a high standard in India’s single-cylinder motorcycle segment. In fact, the all-new KTM 390 Adventure is arguably the best single-cylinder product on our market today. It is not news that the Austrian automaker is working on a new ~500cc twin-cylinder engine that would eventually come to the next range of KTM, Bajaj and Husqvarna models.
Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto has started experimenting on the other side of the spectrum. The Chakan-based two-wheeler manufacturer’s Chetak EV makes more sense than a conventional petrol-CVT alternative such as a Honda Activa in urban environments. At the moment, electric powertrains showcase the highest potential in the scooter segment. Hence, Bajaj Auto plans to introduce sportier counterparts of the Chetak EV platforms under KTM and Husqvarna nameplate.
Digital render
Electric Vehicle Web has shared an interesting render of a possible Husqvarna e-scooter. The styling follows principles set by KISKA, the design firm behind Husqvarna’s modern-day aesthetics. The emission-free scooter carries the right amount of quirkiness and funkiness but may not impress the average Indian buyer who has poor taste in automotive aesthetics.
Features
Notable details include dual-tone black/white paint scheme with Lime Green (fluorescent green) highlights, dark grey 5-spoke alloy wheels, disc brakes, round full-LED headlamp, tall flyscreen, two-step seating, extended floorboard, hub-mounted motor, etc. The production model, which should become a reality in the near future, is expected to generate around 4kW (5.36bhp) and 16Nm while coupled to a 3kWh battery pack.
Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Industries AG, confirms that a 48V e-scooter platform is being considered for mass production in India. Coming under ‘Urban E-Mobility strategy’, the EV will be of offered in two formats (with varied output and features). Most likely, only the shell will change between KTM India and Husqvarna Motorcycles India’s versions of the same.
To surpass the bars set by current e-scooters, one can expect it to feature a touchscreen instrument console, multiple riding modes, fast-charging and even swappable battery units. In India, Ather Energy products will be the benchmark to meet. More
