Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/553925
IN THE WIND P36 NEW NORTONS IN THE PIPELINE N orton is set for a massive expansion with news it has begun work on its long rumored V4 project, as well as a new 650cc parallel twin. The new big-bore Norton will be a 72° 1200cc V4 capable of over 200 horsepower, with the engine designed by leading UK engine manufacturer Ricardo Motorcycles. Ricardo has been responsible for development of engines like the six- cylinder BMW K 1600 GT and four- cylinder K 1300 S. The machine is said to be wrapped in full carbon bodywork with carbon wheels and a single-sided swingarm with Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, a full electronics suite, including traction control and ABS, as well as having the fuel tank under the seat. Talking to UK website Bikesocial. co.uk, Norton's Head of Design, Simon Skinner, had this to say about the new V4: "The nearest competi- tor will be a Ducati 1299 Panigale. So we'll do a normal one for sale [ap- proximately $46,000] and then a really high-end one to go toe-to-toe with the Ducati Superleggera, but in an ever so slightly different way. It will be that kind of price point (the Superleg- gera cost $83,000). It won't be [140 pounds] but it will be very, very design driven." Also in the wings will be a new 650cc parallel-twin designed and manufactured in-house at Norton's Donington Park headquarters that Norton is hoping will become the largest volume machine in its lineup. The news of these two new models comes off the back of a massive $11.6 million investment in Norton and its suppliers, includ- ing a $6.5 million government grant to boost employment in the British motorcycle manufacturing industry and secure Norton's future engine platforms. 600 new jobs are expected to be created in the scheme, including 120 apprentices to be trained at the British Motor- cycle Manufacturing Association (BMMA). CN The Commando looks like it's about to get some new siblings in the Norton family. KTM ANNOUNCES RC WORLD CUP FINAL K TM announced that the top five finishers in the 2015 U.S. KTM RC Cup will have the opportunity to race at the RC World Cup Final at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in England, October 2-4. The World Final will see RC Cup racers from Finland, Germany, England, The Netherlands, Mexico, U.S. and UK all competing for the grand prize: a new KTM RC 390 and a day's coaching from Red Bull Ajo KTM riders Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder. Second place will be loaned a new RC 390 to race the following season with a day's coaching from one of the factory Red Bull KTM Moto3 riders, with third receiving vouchers from Akrapovic, Metzeler and Motorex. The RC World Cup Final will be run as part of the Santander Consumer Finance KTM British Junior Cup but will be scored separately, with all the bikes build to Cup specification by the KTM factory on Metzeler M7RR rubber. The American RC 390 Cup runs alongside five rounds of the MotoAmerica racing series and con- cludes in New Jersey, September 11-13. CN The best of the KTM RC Cup Series will have the op- portunity to race at Silverstone.