Reborn Norton V4SV unveiled

Embattled marque Norton Motorcycles has officially launched its Norton V4SV, the re-engineered British designed and built superbike marking a major step forward for the company following its near collapse two years ago.

Indian firm TVS Motors acquired Norton after it fell into administration in February 2020, setting about restructuring the firm’s management and processes, also ploughing millions into a new headquarters and production facility in Solihull, in Britain’s West Midlands.

Now the reborn Norton Motorcycles has officially revealed its new Norton V4SV, along with full specifications and pricing details, with the bike priced at £44,000 (approximately A$77,000).

Norton Motorcycles says its focus will now be on fulfilling existing customer orders placed before TVS took control in April 2020.

The bike itself is powered by Norton’s own liquid-cooled 1200cc, 72-degree V4 engine, said to produce a claimed 185hp at 12,500rpm and 125Nm at 9000rpm. The engine sits within a frame made of aerospace-grade aluminium, developed on the Isle of Man’s gruelling Mountain circuit.

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Two colour options will be available – Carbon and Manx Silver – but both bikes will feature a carbon fibre fuel tank and bodywork, a TIG-welded aluminium tube frame handcrafted and polished to a mirror finish, and a Union Jack on the tail of the motorcycle.

The Manx Silver option is finished in silver bodywork with red and carbon pinstripes, a black front number board and red OZ Racing forged aluminium wheels, while the V4SV Carbon option features exposed carbon fibre bodywork and carbon fibre BST wheels for reduced weight.

Other noteworthy features include bidirectional quickshifter with auto blipper, fully adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes, ride-by-wire throttle, cornering traction control, a choice of three ride modes (Rain, Road, and Sport), keyless ignition, full LED lighting, a 6.0-inch TFT display and an underseat carbon fibre 15-litre tank.

“Two years ago, Norton inherited the V4 – a bike imagined on the track but born for the road; a bike that promised to blend poise, performance, and power,” said Dr. Robert Hentschel, CEO of Norton Motorcycles.

“Over the last 18 months we have worked tirelessly putting this machine through our new world-class facilities in Solihull to proudly deliver on our promise to Norton owners.

“Thanks to TVS investing £100 million (A$175,000) in Norton, and us subsequently investing wisely in our engineering processes and brand-new manufacturing base, we have ensured barely a part hasn’t been improved on from the bike we inherited.

“The V4SV is unlike anything on the market today, by design, but its everything you expect in a bike built by unapproachable Norton. Short gearing and engaging power make this a perfect bike for the road.

"This is the ultimate British superbike that will challenge and excite riders from the moment they get on the bike to the moment they get off. It is undoubtedly a beautiful piece of art.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have produced given the challenges we have faced getting it to the start line.

“Importantly, this new Norton V4SV marks just the first step on our exciting vision for the brand.”

ENGINE
Engine Type: Norton 72-degree liquid-cooled V4, 1200cc. Chain-driven cams with idler gear for reduced engine height. Titanium inlet valves. Slipper clutch.
Bore & Stroke: 82mm x 56.8mm.
Compression Ratio: 13.6:1.
Fuel injection: Electronic fuel-injection system. 8-fuel injectors. Full drive-by-wire system independent on front and rear banks of cylinders for ultimate control and feel.

PERFORMANCE
Power: 185hp at 12,500rpm
Torque: 125Nm at 9000rpm

STYLING
Bodywork: Full carbon fibre
Fuel Tank: Under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank, with Kevlar reinforcement
Footrests: Billet footrests and pedals

CHASSIS
Chassis Type: Aluminium tubular chassis. Aerospace 5-axis CNC machined outriggers and headstock. Frame is hand TIG welded at Norton HQ and hand-polished to a mirror finish
Adjustable Geometry: Adjustable rake angle, steering offset and swingarm pivot
Swingarm: Braced and underslung single-sided billet swingarm with rising rate linkage geometry developed from the TT race bikes
Wheelbase: 1434mm
Dry Weight: 193kg
Headstock Angle: 23.9 degrees
Yokes: Billet top and bottom
Wheels: Carbon model: Carbon fibre BSTs. Manx model: Oz racing forged aluminium
Steering Damper: Ohlins damper

BRAKES
Front Brakes: 2 x 330mm floating discs. Radially mounted Brembo monobloc calipers. Brembo discs, and Brembo master cylinder
Rear Brakes: Brembo 245mm rear disc. Brembo caliper and master-cylinder

SUSPENSION
Front Suspension: Ohlins NIX30 system front fork, fully adjustable
Rear Suspension: Ohlins TTXGP Norton bespoke fully adjustable rear shock

ELECTRONICS
Lighting: LED lighting for low beam, high beam, indicators and tail light
Instruments: Full-colour 6-inch display with auto brightness adjustment. Includes rear view camera functionality (does not replace rear view mirrors), DRL-style lighting mode and rider ‘Engine Mode’ adjustment
Engine Modes: Wet, Road and Sport
Quick Shift: Full quick shift system and auto blipper
Electronic Aids: Linked to Engine Mode: Lean-angle sensitive traction-control using six-axis
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). Ignition: Keyless ignition system with electronic steering lock (manual fuel filler cap)

COLOUR OPTIONS
Manx Silver
Carbon