The next-gen Svartpilen 401, based on the new 390 Duke platform, was spotted testing in India last year.
Husqvarna dealers have received communication from the manufacturer suggesting that a new launch is happening soon. The date for the event is Jan 21, and the obvious candidate for this launch is the next-gen Svartpilen 401, which was spotted testing multiple times in India last year, featuring India-spec bits like a saree guard.
Our dealer sources tell us that the recent influx of new models in the 400-450cc segment has encouraged Bajaj to grow the Husqvarna range in India to also include offerings in this price and displacement range.
This next-gen Svartpilen will be based on the new KTM 390 Duke platform, meaning that it will almost certainly receive the larger 399cc engine, which should boost power output up towards the 45hp mark. The chassis package should also be carried over from the KTM, so expect to see a new trellis frame and an offset monoshock. This should have the effect of simultaneously lowering the seat height and increasing the ground clearance, as we saw on the Duke.
We can also get an idea of what the pricing could be like, by comparing the 250cc Husqvarnas against the corresponding quarter-litre KTM 250 Duke. At present, the Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250 are both priced at Rs 2.25 lakh, which is a good deal lower than the Rs 2.39 lakh KTM 250 Duke. However, it’s worth noting that the Huskies are still based on the previous-gen 250cc platform, while the Duke has made its way into the next generation.
Therefore, you could see a smaller delta between the KTM 390 Duke and the incoming Svartpilen 401, but the Swedish cousin should still undercut the Austrian on price. At present, the Duke sells for Rs 3.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), so you can expect the Svartpilen to arrive closer to the Rs 3 lakh mark.
Alternatively, the less likely possibility is that Husqvarna could update the Svartpilen and/or Vitpilen 250 that are currently on sale in India, to bring them up to date by basing them on the new 250 Duke platform. This would also see things like an offset monoshock and the new chassis package featuring on the updated bikes. The engine, though, would be the new 250cc motor from the latest 250 Duke, which, even though it shares many dimensions and figures with the older engine on paper, is actually an all-new motor that has a very different character.