Design guru moves to Norton
Highly regarded motorcycle designer Pierre Terblanche has joined Norton after leaving the Italian-based Piaggio GroupOne of the motorcycle industry's most recognisable designers, Pierre Terblanche, has announced his resignation from the Piaggio Group to take up a post at Norton Motorcycles.
The move will come as somewhat of a shock to Moto Guzzi fans (part of the Piaggio Group), where Terblanche was tasked with modernising the look of the entire range. How far he got with those plans will become evident over the next few years.
The South African-born designer has been responsible for several iconic motorcycles of recent times, particularly during his tenure at Ducati, where he came up with the Multistrada, Hypermotard and 999 to name a few.
He also designed the Ducati MH900e and Ducati Sport 1000, which should put him in good stead at Norton.
Norton's move to employ Terblanche is yet another positive move by the British company, which is ramping up production of its motorcycles after relaunching the brand and confirming it will enter the massive North American market in due course.
There are also rumours that British marque is seriously considering a tilt at the MotoGP crown, with racing bike under development (see image) and could enter the fray in 2012. Such a move would go a long to promoting the brand on a global scale.
According to Stuart Garner, CEO of Norton Motorcycles, Terblanche is a perfect fit for the brand is will be tasked with "a range of motorcycles bearing the historic Norton badge that will be unlike anything else in the marketplace.”
Does this mean we will see new sports bikes and cafe racers that will take inspiration from its rumoured MotoGP research and development? Norton CEO Garner has in the past talked about the development of a 1000cc V-four sportsbike. Watch this space....
"Pierre’s experience of bringing innovative new products to the marketplace will be a vital factor in developing the Norton range, whilst paying due respect to its traditions,” stated Garner, who added that Norton's star recruit will also combine "...his flair for original concepts with Norton’s sporting traditions..."
In addition to the abovementioned motorcycle designs for Ducati, Pierre Terblanche started his career with Volkswagen and has previously worked for Cagiva, where he learned from famous Italian motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini.
Check out NortonMotorcycles.com for more information on the British marque's range of motorcycles and heritage.
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