Norton, with 4 million pounds the future seems assured

Norton Motorcycles – Norton Motorcycles has just secured £4m of funding from the UK Government, which will be used to create a new manufacturing plant, generating more jobs and new models. Good news, therefore, for the British brand and its suppliers who will be able to benefit from an important subsidy for their future.

The good news for us, though, is that Norton plans to bring to market a new 200 HP sports bike powered by a V4 engine, not too dissimilar to the “SG” models, which we saw competing at the Isle of Man TT. Added to the good news are the sketches shown by the British site Bike Social, who also had the chance to speak with Norton's design director, Simon Skinner, about the new model and the future of Norton. According to Skinner, the new superbike will have a 4cc V1.200 engine that will produce more than 200 hp. The two-wheeler should be able to go head-to-head with the Ducati 1,285 Panigale's 1299cc V-Twin, although it obviously won't be sanctioned in any Superbike class.

The Norton engine will be developed by Ricardo Motorcycles and will take inspiration from English car brands such as Aston Martin, but also from F1. Other models in Norton's plans would be a 650cc sports car with a parallel-twin engine and most likely an electric model. We can't wait to see what Norton brings to market, although many were disappointed that the NRV588 engine project is no longer in development.