Breaking: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, Vitpilen 401 To Launch In India This Year

This was revealed in Husqvarna’s parent company Pierer Mobility AG’s recent investor presentation

• Husqvarna currently sells Vitpilen 250 and Svartpilen 250 in India. 
• Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 are based on the KTM 390 Duke. 
• Both motorcycles will be manufactured at Bajaj’s Chakan factory. 

Husqvarna will launch the larger capacity Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 in India this year itself. This was revealed in Husqvarna’s parent company Pierer Mobility AG’s recent investor presentation which also included plans for an affordable KTM 750cc range. While Husqvarna has been manufacturing and exporting the 401 models from India at Bajaj’s Chakan plant, they chose to first launch the smaller capacity Vitpilen 250 and Svartpilen 250 in India. 

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 are styled similar to their 250cc cousins. Both are powered by the same 373cc motor as the KTM 390 Duke. This liquid cooled single-cylinder motor delivers 43.5PS and 37Nm of torque. It even uses the KTM’s trellis frame but with a different subframe for the flatter seat. The  Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 share their WP upside down fork, rear monoshock as well as the Brembo brakes with the 390 Duke. 

Despite being marketed as a premium brand overseas, Husqvarna chose to launch its 250cc models in India at a significantly lower introductory price than the KTM 250 Duke. It remains to be seen if the Swedish bikemaker employs the same strategy with the 401 twins. With the Bajaj Dominar 400 being priced at Rs 1.96 lakh and the KTM 390 Duke retailing at Rs 2.59 lakh, Husqvarna could price the 401 twins in the middle, at around Rs 2.3 lakh (ex-showroom). A stylish, low priced alternative to the KTM 390 Duke does sound tempting indeed.