Norton Motorcycles has unveiled the breathtaking V4 Manx R, combining British craftsmanship, cutting-edge engineering, and 206hp/130Nm of wickedness. We were on the ground in EICMA... Photos: Norton/Nigel Patterson
The Norton Manx R has been unveiled at EICMA 2025 in Milan. We recently visited the Norton development and R&D centre at the TVS Factory in Bangalore, India, where we were shown the amazing V4 engine. Now we can reveal the all-new sportsbike… Press: Norton.
“Class-leading torque and usable power between 5,000 and 10,000rpm – exactly where it counts”…
Nigel Paterson was on the ground at EICMA, Milan, yesterday, attending several major launches including Norton’s stunning Manx R unveiling for BikeReview.com.au. Earlier this year, Editor Jeff visited the vast 350-acre TVS Motor factory in Bangalore – a site so advanced it produces a motorcycle every 27 seconds.
You can read our TVS Factory visit/Norton feature here…
Inside the complex is a state-of-the-art Norton section, where Jeff observed both the new V4 and twin-cylinder engines being built and dyno tested. Cameras were strictly forbidden, but what he saw left no doubt that Norton’s rebirth is backed by serious engineering. Norton has confirmed that BikeReview will be among the first global media outlets to test the new bikes. The Manx R is expected to hit the market in Q2 2026.
Powering the Manx R is an all-new 1,200cc 72-degree V4 engine – the largest capacity in the modern supersport sector.
The all-new Norton Manx R stands as the symbol of Norton’s resurgence – a machine created to redefine the premium superbike category through innovation, craftsmanship and emotional design. Its mission is simple yet ambitious: to deliver a visceral, connected experience for riders who crave authenticity, performance and exclusivity.
206hp at 11,500rpm and 130Nm of torque at 9,000rpm…
Executive Director Richard Arnold describes the Manx R as a motorcycle with “must-ride appeal for those who demand style with substance, adrenaline with refinement, and craftsmanship with swagger.” As the first of four models spearheading the rebirth of the storied British brand, the Manx R blends cutting-edge technology with unmistakable Norton DNA, placing the rider at the very centre of its design philosophy.
130Nm of torque at 9,000rpm, housed within a chassis weighing just 204kg. At 206hp, it has a 1 to 1 power-to-weight.
The Manx R is dramatic in form yet deliberate in execution. Professor Gerry McGovern, Chief Creative Advisor, says Norton’s approach fuses “modernity, innovation and luxury,” underpinned by emotion and British heritage. Head of Design Simon Skinner adds that the company’s new design strategy is built around four pillars: modern, integrated, dramatic and connected. “Our interpretation of modernity is reductive,” he explains. “We avoid visual clutter to create harmony between design and engineering. Nortons must stir emotion, they should have forward movement even when standing still.”
“Nortons must stir emotion, they should have forward movement even when standing still.”
This unified approach to design and engineering is evident in every surface of the Manx R. From the first sketch, both teams worked side by side to create a motorcycle where form and function share equal priority. The result is a machine with no excess – no wings, no unnecessary lines – just sculptural purity. The Manx R’s compact, muscular stance and exquisite attention to detail echo high-end timepieces, with visible components treated as functional art. Every fixing and fastener has been considered, every surface polished to visual perfection.
The result is a machine with no excess – no wings, no unnecessary lines – just sculptural purity.
Powering the Manx R is an all-new 1,200cc 72-degree V4 engine – the largest capacity in the modern supersport sector. It produces 206hp@11,500rpm and 130Nm@9,000rpm, housed within a chassis weighing just 204kg. Yet Norton’s engineers, led by Executive Director Nevijo Mance, insist that the focus is not on chasing peak horsepower. “The Manx R’s V4 was developed from 30,000 kilometres of real-world telemetry,” he explains. “We discovered that true road performance lives below 11,000rpm. Our goal was to deliver muscular torque between 5,000 and 10,000rpm that’s where riders really ride.”
This rider-first philosophy shapes every part of the Manx R’s power delivery. A full Ride-by-Wire throttle operates independently across both cylinder banks for refined control, while five riding modes – Rain, Road, Sport and two customisable Track settings – adapt throttle response, traction, and suspension in real time. Once set, preferences are automatically stored for future rides.
A full Ride-by-Wire throttle operates independently across both cylinder banks for refined control..
The six-speed gearbox, equipped with two-way quick-shifter, auto blip and slipper clutch, is tuned for accessible power with short internal ratios and a slightly tall final drive for real-world use. Norton’s Optimal Gear Shift Suggestion system assists the rider in making the most of the V4’s deep torque.
The Manx R features a Two-way quick-shifter, auto-blipper, slipper clutch and Optimal Gear Shift Suggestion system.
Underneath, the Manx R features a newly developed cast-aluminium frame designed for precise road feedback and intuitive handling. Norton’s Chief Technical Officer Brian Gillen says the chassis has been tuned to prioritise feel over lap times. “We engineered it for the real world,” he says. “The Manx R’s chassis gives the rider genuine connection with the road – confidence and feedback in equal measure.” Single-piece casting enhances rigidity and precision, while the geometry balances stiffness with controlled flex to deliver confidence-inspiring dynamics at any speed.
“The chassis has been tuned to prioritise feel over lap times”…
Suspension is a key highlight. Developed with Marzocchi, the fully adjustable semi-active system continuously analyses throttle, braking, and lean angle, adjusting damping at both ends independently and in real time. “It’s the most advanced suspension we’ve ever fitted,” Gillen explains. “It reads the road, the rider, and reacts instantly to create a natural, intuitive feel.”
The Manx R is also the first Norton to feature Brembo’s new HYPURE calipers. These lightweight, asymmetrical monobloc units clamp dual 330mm floating front discs and a single 245mm rear rotor, working in harmony with Bosch’s cornering-optimised ABS for maximum control. The result, says Gillen, is braking performance that “inspires confidence in every condition, whether attacking a track or filtering through traffic.” Adding to its dynamic edge are carbon-fibre BST wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4SP tyres, 120/70 front and 200/55 rear, ensuring razor-sharp agility with reduced unsprung weight.
When it comes to electronics and rider aids, Norton has gone all-in on integration and intelligence. The Manx R’s suite of assist systems has been tuned for seamless cooperation, not interference. “Our goal was to ensure the technology enhances the connection between rider and machine,” Gillen says. “You always feel the thrill, not the electronics.”
Working with Bosch, Norton engineers have built a 10.3 platform tailored to the Manx R’s character. The system manages traction, stability and braking with subtle precision, using a six-axis IMU to constantly assess lean angle, acceleration and braking force. Features include cornering traction control, wheelie and slide control, launch and hill-start assist, and a unique cornering cruise control – the first of its kind in this class.
A large 8-inch TFT touchscreen provides an intuitive command centre, displaying speed, distance, temperature, top speed and 0 – 100km/h times. The interface includes full Bluetooth connectivity for calls, music and notifications, plus GoPro control and smart device integration. Riders can synchronise the bike with the Norton app for ride statistics, live tracking, and remote security functions such as immobilisation and theft alerts.
Norton chose the V4 layout to provide a compact bike while also achieving their power and torque goals.
Premium touches continue with keyless ignition, signature daytime running lights, and Norton’s welcome lighting sequence. The system includes dynamic brake lights for added safety, and a service reminder for effortless ownership. As Brian Gillen puts it: “We built the Manx R for riders who love the sensation of riding – the sound, the feel, the response. The technology works in the background, amplifying the connection without ever dulling it.”
Norton’s return to the global stage has been a long time coming, but the Manx R proves the brand’s ambitions are far from nostalgic. It represents a confident fusion of heritage and innovation, born not just from British craftsmanship but from the industrial might of TVS Motor Company – one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers.
Editor Jeff, who toured the Norton Research & Development section inside TVS’s Bengaluru facility, confirms the partnership’s potential. “The scale, precision and environmental focus of that factory were staggering,” he says. “Seeing Norton’s new V4 and twin engines on the dynos showed how serious they are. Norton is clearly in good hands.”
With the Manx R’s arrival marking the start of an exciting new chapter, Norton’s rebirth feels not only credible but inevitable. The blend of visceral performance, technical sophistication and emotional design points to a company ready to reclaim its place among motorcycling’s elite.
The Norton Manx R will launch globally in 2026, with BikeReview.com.au confirmed as part of the first wave of international media testing. Stay tuned as we prepare to bring you full impressions of this stunning new British superbike – born in Birmingham, engineered in partnership with TVS, and built to thrill riders around the world.
2026 Norton Manx R Specifications
Price: TBA (expected Q2 2026)
Claimed Power: 153kW@11,500rpm
Claimed Torque: 130Nm@9,000rpm
Dry Weight: 204kg
Fuel Capacity: TBA
Fuel Economy (claimed): TBA
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 72° V4, 1,200cc, four-stroke DOHC 16-valve, ride-by-wire throttle across both cylinder banks, six-speed constant-mesh transmission with electronic quicks-hifter, auto rev-matching and slipper clutch. Final drive ratio: 2.41 :1.
Chassis: Frame: aluminium cast monocoque chassis
Rake: N/A Trail: N/A
Suspension: semi-active Marzocchi forks, fully adjustable, semi-active Marzocchi shock, fully adjustable, travel N/A
Brakes: Brembo HYPURE monobloc calipers; dual 33mm front discs, single 245mm rear, lean-sensitive ABS via six-axis IMU.
Wheels & Tyres: 17-inch carbon-fibre BST wheels; Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4SP – 120/70 ZR17 front, 200/55 ZR17 rear.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: N/A
Seat height: N/A
Ground clearance: N/A
Overall Height: N/A
Overall width: N/A
Overall length: N/A
Instruments & Electronics: 8in TFT dash with smartphone/GoPro integration, Bluetooth, Norton app for live tracking, remote immobilisation and theft alerts. Ride Modes: Rain, Road, Sport + two customisable
Cornering Cruise Control, wheelie and slide control, launch control, hill-start support, cornering ABS, slope-dependent control. Full LED with signature DRLs, keyless ignition, welcome lighting sequence, service reminder.
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