Norton have unveiled their first entirely new machine since TVS took the reigns with the V4 Café Racer. Due to be publicly unveiled at Motorcycle Live this weekend, the V4CR is based on the 185bhp V4SV putting it toe to toe with super naked royalty.
The bike is the first new machine to be designed, engineered and built at Norton’s recently opened global headquarters in Solihull. Until now Norton’s new facility has been solely focused on revising and producing pre-existing bikes from before the takeover
As the name suggests, the V4CR uses the 1200cc 72-degree V4 from the V4SV, which produces a whopping 185bhp @ 12,500rpm. Torque is impressive too with 92.5ftlb @ 9000rpm.
It also shares the polished frame and swingarm along with the carbonfibre fuel tank and bodywork. Details are scarce but the finished spec is assumed to the same too including Brembo brakes, Öhlins suspension, keyless ignition, BST wheels and 6" colour TFT dash.
The CR mostly differs in riding position with a shorter subframe for an 'aggressive stance' while the bars are low and sit behind a tiny fly-screen for maximum ton-up boys style. The rest of the bodywork has been restyled too including protruding air-ducts either side of a new radiator shroud although Norton have stopped short of going for a set of wings.
Dr Robert Hentschel, CEO of Norton, says the V4CR is "the next step in Norton’s strategic growth plan on its journey to becoming the world-leader in luxury hand-crafted motorcycles".
It’s expected that Norton will continue with these short production run, virtually bespoke machines before they turn their attention to mass production with the likes of the 650 twins.
For now there is only one prototype mentioned, although we imagine Norton will likely follow in the same path as their own V4, and numerous other manufacturers, by offering two different spec levels.
Price is anyone’s guess, especially as Norton are yet to confirm the price of the V4SV, but going on the previous selling prices of the V4RR and V4SS (£28,000 and £42,000 respectively, it’s likely to be well into the £30,000 bracket.
