New VFR caught!

UK tabloid MCN and Italian enthusiast site motoblog.it have combined to out Honda's new VFR1200. The all-new latest-generation V4 sports tourer was caught during promotional filming in the European Alps. In what is likely to be another controlled leak (Honda reportedly leaked images of the bike earlier this year), the bike was shot in full production trim, undisguised and showroom ready.

We've brought you news of the new VFR as far back as August 2007. It's been variously reported that the bike would be 1000cc and feature a five-cylinder engine. Traction control, powershifter and ABS combined brakes are all on the menu and, more recently, Honda sources have even hinted the bike may get cylinder deactivation. One thing's for certain, the new VFR will be a technical showcase for the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. Rumoured to produce as much as 200ps, the new VFR sports shaft drive and integrated luggage. Fit and finish is believed to be "flagship quality".

Honda's Senior Managing Director, Shigeru Takagi, told MCN the VFR will be a "new breed of Honda".

"We really believe we can develop a new era starting with this V4-powered machine. It is just the beginning and represents a new breed of Honda, which will define Honda's own taste and styling.

"This bike will be the perfect road machine that Honda customers have called for. It will be an epoch-making machine and more bikes from the V4 platform are possible.

"We know people think this bike is going to be a replacement for the VFR800 and the Blackbird but we do not see this bike as a replacement for anything. We see it as an all-new breed of machine, something very special," he told the UK publishing stalwart.

Motoblog.it's pic herabouts is the first to show the bike as it will hit dealers. And just when will that be?

It's likely Honda will debut the bike at next month's Tokyo motor show. On that basis we can expect the bike to make its way Down Under in the first half of 2010.