Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 spied

HERE’S another new spy shot, this one showing the near-ready production version of the Husqvarna Vitpilen 701.

First revealed as a concept in 2015, it’s based on KTM 690 Duke, with the same steel frame, engine, alloy swing-arm and what look like the same wheels, brakes and upside-down WP fork. Expect no major change to the 73hp 690cc single-cylinder motor either.

However, the styling has been completely re-imagined, creating a future-retro look in line with the rest of the Vitpilen family. The slim-line tank, seat and tail unit are new, as is the headlight, while the bars appear to be lower, making more of a café racer riding position than the upright 690 Duke.

It was spotted being tested alongside a new Duke 800 and updated Duke 125, as well as the Vitpilen 125 and 401.

Expect to see the finished product at shows this autumn and launched next year, with a price not too much higher than the 690 Duke’s £7,699.

We should also expect to see the Svartpilen 701 – a scrambler-fied version with knobbly tyres – in the not-too-distant future.