Last month revived legendary British marque Norton pulled the cover off of its new V4SV Superbike model – the firm’s first novel model since recently going under new management and opening a new global headquarters. Fast forward to today and the famed UK firm has now revealed a naked cafe racer model based on the new V4SV platform.
The first prototype to be entirely designed, engineered, and built at its new UK facility, this naked version of the V4-engined superbike has been christened the V4CR (with the CR being short for “cafe racer”). Developed over the course of 16 months by 30 expert engineers, the V4RC Protobike features a polished aluminum frame and single-sided swing-arm that have been CNC-machined from billet, as well as all-carbon fiber bodywork and a carbon tank, and a revised, shorter subframe and tail section. At the heart of the prototype two-wheeler is the same 185-hp 1,200cc V4 engine found in the V4SV. Other noteworthy details on the V4CR include Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension, a slash-cut exhaust with a honeycombed cover, custom intake pieces, bespoke radiator covers, a belly-pan, and a mono-posto tail that takes ample inspiration from Norton’s 2015-era Dominator SS.
A clear nod to Norton’s illustrious racing heritage, the V4CR Prototype is slated to make its official public debut at Norton’s booth (Hall 3, Stand 3C10) at this year’s EICMA Show in Milan. Whether or not Norton plans on putting the V4CR into production remains to be seen, though it bodes well that the company is calling it a “prototype” rather than a “concept.”
