The upcoming Husqvarna 501 series will borrow KTM’s 490cc parallel-twin engine and underpinnings.
Swedish motorcycle brand Husqvarna currently shares its underpinnings and engine with Austrian motorcycle brand KTM’s Duke 390. However, the word on the street is that the Swedish manufacturer is likely to borrow more engines and underpinnings from the eminently successful brand KTM.
A new 490cc parallel-twin engine is already une44 development by KTM and it will be powering the new Duke, RC, Adventure, Enduro and Supermoto models. Additionally the same powerplant will used by the Husqvarna motorcycles’ 501 series. The new 501 series will encompass classics like the Vitpilen and Svartpilen, a naked roadster, supermoto and enduro products, and an adventure tourer/explorer.
The new 490cc motor from KTM will be manufactured by the Bajaj Auto in India. Moreover, the newfangled engine will be featuring a liquid-cooled, 8-valves, DOHC setup. It is also suspected that KTM might give the engine a 435-degree firing order, as seen on the Duke 790 to impart a more V-Twin like character.
It is expected that the new 490 cc parallel-twin engine will produce about 55-60 PS of maximum power as opposed to the 43 PS of the current single-cylinder, DOHC, 4-Valve, liquid-cooled powerplant on the KTM 390 series. The parallel-twin engine will be mated to a 6-speed transmission with the addition of slipper and assist clutch and ride-by-throttle.
With regard to design, a great amount of inspiration will be derived from the Vitpilen and Svartpilen motorcycles for the retro-style bikes under the 501 series. A scrambler and a café racer is expected to be seen in the coming lineup of products. Currently, there is an absence of a naked roadster in the Husqvarna lineup, so nothing can be said about the styling cues for the 501 model. In addition, Husqvarna has a comprehensive Enduro and Supermoto portfolio, owing to which the forthcoming 501 series bikes will feature design cues from the current generation. Finally, the 701 Nomad Adventure from the brand could be used as the basis for the 501 Explorer motorcycle (adventure tourer).
For the suspension and braking setup, a WP-sourced suspension setup comprising of inverted forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear and single discs on both the ends with inclusion of switchable ABS is expected.
Furthermore, KTM Industries is planning to manufacture more than two lakh units in India by the year 2022, which is more than the double of what the company currently produces. This increase will mark an approximately 17.1% compounded annual growth rate between 2017 and 2022 for the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer.
The targeted two lakh units production is inclusive of the KTM models as well the Husqvarna models. Currently, only KTM models are produced in the nation but from December 2019 Husqvarna models will also be produced in India.
Husqvarna 501 Engine
– KTM is currently working on the new 490cc parallel-twin engine
– The 490cc parallel-twin engine will likely produce 55-60 PS of maximum power
– KTM plans to produce two lakh units in India by the year 2022
Source – IndianAutosBlog.com
