The Ed recently travelled to India to see firsthand how Norton Motorcycles is being reborn under TVS ownership and it’s clear the legendary British marque’s future is in good hands...
Few brands carry the same emotional weight as Norton. Once the pride of Britain, and huge in OZ, the marque’s future was grim until a revolution began in Solihull. Under TVS ownership, with creative advise from Prof Gerry McGovern, Norton is back, with new purpose.
Norton Motorcycles will continue to be built at the state of the art Norton factory we visited in 2023 in the UK.
It’s not every day that a motorcycle brand with over a hundred years of history gets to start again. For Norton, this restart isn’t just a reset, it’s a rebirth. Backed by TVS Motor Company since 2020, Norton has spent the past few years rebuilding quality, process and credibility from the ground up. Now, they’re ready to show the world what comes next, and have just confirmed four models are on the way, two versions of a V4 superbike, a mid-capacity adventure bike and the other? We’re not sure yet!
“It’s one thing to talk about Norton’s resurgence from a distance; it’s another to stand inside the parent company’s immaculate, cutting-edge plant and witness the scale behind the promise”…
The first glimpse arrived with the reveal at Norton UK on Wednesday to a select few, including BikeReview, of an official design sketch, a sleek, purposeful machine that embodies the new Norton DNA. Created by Norton’s Head of Design, Simon Skinner, isn’t just a teaser; it’s a statement. It represents a brand reborn through design integrity, modern engineering and craftsmanship.
The first glimpse arrived on Wednesday at Norton UK, with the reveal of an official design sketch, a sleek, purposeful machine that embodies the new Norton DNA…
Inside Norton’s state-of-the-art Solihull factory, there’s momentum again. Norton have made it clear that their comeback isn’t about nostalgia alone, it’s about blending world-class engineering and artistry in a modern motorcycle company. Leading that creative charge is Chief Creative Advisor, Professor Gerry McGovern, the visionary behind Resurgence. “Modernity, innovation and luxury are not terms you think of immediately when considering classic motorcycle brands.
Gerry McGovern (left) and Simon Skinner.
“However, having previously worked with TVS Chairman Sudarshan Venu, when I received an invitation to collaborate on the reimagining of Norton, I was intrigued,” McGovern explained. “Norton’s rich British heritage, something I’m deeply familiar with in the brands I creatively oversee, made the opportunity even more compelling”.
The new design sketch, a fluid, aggressive silhouette with unmistakably Norton cues, signals what’s to come on November 4 at EICMA when all will be revealed.
The new design sketch, a fluid, aggressive silhouette with unmistakably Norton cues, signals what’s to come. Flowing tank lines, compact tail and athletic stance, it certainly looks like an awesome sportsbike. It’s the first tangible expression of Resurgence, a campaign designed to reconnect Norton with riders worldwide through design emotion and authenticity…
Norton Motorcycles Cheif Marketing Officer, Christoph Hohmann.
McGovern continued, “Motorcycles and cars are different, yet they share fundamental values. Chief among them is the ability to stir emotion. Though their design languages differ, both can become objects of desire. They also share essential principles of proportion, stance, and drama”.
Norton’s Head of Design, Simon Skinner, “It is a great privilege to work with Professor Gerry McGovern. It’s given me and the team here at Norton the opportunity to really take a fresh look at our brand and products. What we’ve designed, and what has been meticulously developed across the company’s engineering team, is a range of motorcycles that I’m sure is going to both surprise and delight the world.
“It’s a new direction, for sure, but one that is sensitive to what has gone before, blending our rich heritage with a bold new future. Today’s sketch is just a taster of what is to come, and I cannot wait to reveal more of our Resurgence strategy in November”.
Norton Head of Design, Simon Skinner.
Beyond design, Norton’s resurgence has been grounded in precision engineering and manufacturing excellence. The Solihull headquarters, opened in 2021, represents a new standard for British motorcycle production. Under TVS ownership, Norton has invested 200 million pounds into R&D, materials science and emissions compliance to bring its models up to and beyond global standards.
“It’s a new direction, for sure, but one that is sensitive to what has gone before, blending our rich heritage with a bold new future”…
The current Commando 961 SP and CR models have already won praise for their improved build quality and authentic character. But McGovern’s team is focused on the next step, an entirely new generation of motorcycles that embody Norton’s reborn philosophy. That’s where Resurgence plays its biggest role. It’s not a single model launch, but a creative direction that will guide Norton’s design language for years to come.
Norton Motorcycles Executive Director, Nevijo Mance, who Jeff met in India earlier this month.
For decades, Norton’s story was written by others, from TT wins to financial collapse. Now, the brand is reclaiming its narrative. Nevijo Mance, “Of over 250 employees, the majority make up the engineering and manufacturing team. Each person shares a passion for engineering excellence, they are part of a global family,” said Mance, speaking of the UK, Italy and India R&D centres.
“All Norton models will have, at their heart, the core characteristics defined as ‘Norton-ness’ – being, an engine that is torque-focussed, offering best-in-class torque that is both characterful and rewards. A chassis that is responsive, progressive and assuring, transparent and intuitive”… Over 30,000km of real world telemetry was gathered during testing and refining, according to Norton.
Brian Gillen, Chief Technical Officer, Norton Motorcycles.
Norton’s deep roots in British culture remain its foundation. The Manx Norton ruled the Isle of Man TT in the 1950s, and the Commando became a symbol of freedom in the 1970s. But recent turbulence tested the company’s reputation. Resurgence is about leaving that behind and building a future defined by excellence, not excuses.
Some of the rarest Norton’s are on display in the reception of the new Solihull factory.
Richard Arnold, Executive Director, “First and foremost, it is the emotional appeal, the sensory excitement, of the bikes that defines Norton. Norton has never just been about the numbers, more importantly, a Norton puts the rider at the centre of the experience”. As a passionate Norton owner himself, Richard knows the importance of both the rich heritage, and the modern technology.
Norton Motorcycles Executive Director, Richard Arnold
By embracing new technology while celebrating craftsmanship, Norton will create motorcycles that look as good in 2075 as they will in 2026. The design team integrates 3D printing, virtual prototyping and recyclable materials into its workflow while keeping that handmade British soul alive…
Sudarshan Venu, Chairman of TVS Motor.
Meeting the Parents: Norton’s Future is in Safe Hands
I was recently honoured to be invited to the Global Headquarters and Factory of the TVS Motor Company, on behalf of Norton Motorcycles. Touring this immense facility in Hosur, India, the heart of TVS production, was nothing short of astonishing. Photos: TVS Motor
Jeff toured the massive factory and the amazing Eco park, which is a rich habitat that was simply amazing.
It’s one thing to talk about Norton’s resurgence from a distance; it’s another to stand inside the parent company’s immaculate, cutting-edge plant and witness the scale behind the promise. The TVS Motor Factory produces a motorcycle every 27 seconds — 20,000 per day, up to half-a-million per month.
TVS is the world’s fourth-largest motorcycle manufacturer, sitting just behind Honda, Hero and Yamaha, with 5.5 million units built annually and a staggering 63 million owners globally.
During my tour I also visited Norton’s dedicated Research & Development section and it was breathtaking. I spent time studying, up close, three all-new Norton engines: a large capacity V4 and two parallel-twins, one roughly 450cc, I reckon, the other in the 700 to 800cc range perhaps.
“I spent time studying, up close, three all-new Norton engines”…
I wasn’t given any technical details, everything was strictly confidential, and photography was forbidden. But I can tell you this: they looked like absolute works of art. The craftsmanship, the casting and machining, every detail radiated precision and intent. I also saw a mid-sized parallel twin cylinder adventure bike being wheeled along with a cover on the top of it…
The TVS Motor Factory is 350 acres and TVS employ around 12,000 people. The facility itself was pristine and environmentally advanced, a testament to TVS’s global capabilities.
The facility itself was pristine and environmentally advanced, a testament to TVS’s global capabilities. This is the same factory that has built 150,000 BMW G 310 models for BMW Motorrad, and it’s clear that TVS applies the same discipline and quality control to Norton’s rebirth.
For me, the trip felt like “Meeting the parents” which is how Christoph Hohmann put it, seeing firsthand the scale, professionalism and pride behind the company now guiding Norton’s future. It confirmed beyond any doubt that this iconic British name is in the best possible hands.
I’ll have a full feature on the TVS Factory coming soon, along with ride reviews of the TVS Apache RR 310, Apache RTR 310 and Ronin, which I tested while in India. I was very impressed with all three.
On the Apache RTR 310, an awesome little bike that has a 6-axis IMU, so a full electronics suite including two-way quick-shifter, plus KYB suspension, Michelin tyres and ByRe brakes with Bosch ABS. Weapon! Review on the way.
While Norton remains tight-lipped about upcoming models, we just know that four bikes will be unveiled, three will be on display and there will be two versions of a superbike, a mid-sized adventure bike… the Resurgence sketch hints at what’s next: a new performance roadster or supersport inspired by Norton’s racing past but built for modern riders. Expect minimalist bodywork, high-spec components and that unmistakable fusion of raw mechanical beauty and elegance that defines British engineering at its best, we will see soon enough at EICMA!
If the brand’s recent trajectory is any indication, the next chapter could be its most exciting yet. TVS has given Norton the stability, funding and infrastructure it needed, while McGovern’s design-led vision injects new life into every corner of the business. The brand that once symbolised British grit and innovation is ready to reclaim its place on the world stage.
For those who grew up idolising the Norton name, its rebirth feels personal. And for a new generation of riders, it’s an invitation to rediscover what made British motorcycling legendary in the first place. Norton mention that the will sell the models through networks in Europe, Asia and the USA. No direct mention of us Aussies, but then again, why were two of us sent to India to check out TVS? We are sure they will be here soon, and we can’t wait to test them… Stay tuned!
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