- The Norton Manx R is available in seven colours, including a factory carbon option
- The new 1,200 cc V4 engine produces 209 hp (154 kW) at 11,500 rpm
- The V4 models are assembled at Norton’s plant in Solihull, United Kingdom
When the Norton Manx R was unveiled at EICMA 2025 in Milan, it was shown exclusively in silver. Now Norton has revealed the full colour palette for its supersport flagship through the recently launched Indian website. Seven variants are available in total, all of which follow a restrained, classically elegant approach. There are no flashy graphics or elaborate race liveries to be found. Instead, only the Norton logo adorns the tank.
Subtle palette with one carbon exception
Alongside the previously known Trophy Silver, the colour palette includes the shades Matrix Black and Celestial Grey as classic, rather dark options. With Aqua Green and Glacier Blue, Norton also offers two pastel tones, which are a real rarity in the segment of superbikes with more than 200 hp. The sixth colour option is a complete factory carbon variant, where the fairing parts are kept in a visible carbon fibre finish. All seven colours are identically available for the Manx R and the naked Manx variant. While most tones are deliberately restrained, Aqua Green and Glacier Blue stand out a little more from the rest with their slightly stronger pastel finishes.
A completely new V4 at the heart
At the heart of the Manx R sits a completely newly developed 1,200 cc liquid-cooled V4 engine with a 72-degree cylinder angle. Norton quotes a power output of 206 bhp at 11,500 rpm, which converts to roughly 209 hp (154 kW). Maximum torque is 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) at 9,000 rpm. This clearly exceeds the predecessor from the discontinued V4SV series, which still produced 185 bhp.
Norton emphasises that during development, peak power at high revs was not the primary focus, but rather an everyday-usable power delivery. According to its own statements, the development team analysed tens of thousands of kilometres of riding data to shape the torque curve so that most of the power is available between 5,000 and 10,000 rpm. A ride-by-wire system controls each cylinder bank independently for precise throttle response. The engine is coupled to a six-speed gearbox with slipper clutch and bidirectional quickshifter. The gearbox ratios are closely spaced, while the final drive ratio of 2.41:1 was deliberately chosen to be long, in order to keep the engine in its optimum torque range as much as possible.
Brian Gillen, formerly long-time head of research and development at MV Agusta and now Chief Technical Officer at Norton, explained that every component of the engine was newly developed and industrialised for this specific application.
Chassis tuned for road dynamics
Norton also takes its own path with the chassis. According to Norton, the cast aluminium frame is not primarily designed for maximum stiffness on the racetrack, but rather for balanced handling on the road. Controlled flex zones are intended to improve feedback and comfort. Gillen explained that the chassis was developed for genuine ride feel, to provide confidence on the road, rather than aiming exclusively at lap times.
The suspension comes from Marzocchi and works semi-actively with electronic damping. The system adjusts compression and rebound damping in real time and reacts to throttle, brake and lean angle inputs. Five riding modes are available: Rain, Road, Sport and two individually configurable Track profiles. The selected settings are retained even after the motorcycle is switched off.
For the brakes, Norton relies on Brembo with the new HYPURE callipers, dual 330 mm discs at the front and a 245 mm disc at the rear. Lean-angle-sensitive ABS is also on board. The 17-inch wheels are made of carbon and come from BST, fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4SP tyres.
Comprehensive electronics with several novelties
The electronics are based on Bosch’s current 10.3 platform with a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU). Alongside the expected systems such as traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control and slip regulation, the Manx R also offers some more unusual functions. These include a so-called Slope-Dependent Control, an optimal gear shift recommendation and a cornering cruise control that can hold a constant speed through bends.
An 8-inch TFT touchscreen serves as the central control unit for ride data, GoPro control, smartphone pairing and individual rider profiles. A companion app enables additional features such as live tracking, remote immobilisation and theft alerts.
Design philosophy: reduction instead of overload
The design of the Manx R follows an approach that Norton calls “reductive design. Compared to many current superbikes, which appear overloaded with winglets, creases and decorative elements, the Manx R is deliberately clean. No wings, no elaborate graphics, but instead smooth lines and a compact silhouette. Every visible component is intended to be a deliberate part of the overall visual image.
Simon Skinner, Norton’s design chief, describes the philosophy with four guiding principles: modern, integrated, dramatic and connected. He emphasises that every Norton model should reveal a family identity, while still being allowed to retain its own character. The Manx name harks back to the legendary Norton race machines built between 1947 and 1962. Nevertheless, Norton does not see the new Manx R as a nostalgic throwback, but as an expression of what the brand calls “modern Nortonness”.
Production in Britain, components from India
The Manx R and the naked Manx are assembled at the Norton plant in Solihull, United Kingdom. A significant share of the supplied components, however, comes from India, where owner TVS Motor is based. According to TVS itself, more than 200 million pounds (around 238 million euros / 264 million US dollars) have been invested in reviving the Norton brand. The Manx R is the first of a total of six new models that Norton plans to bring to market. In addition to the Manx R and the naked Manx, the Atlas range with 585 cc parallel twin engine was also presented at EICMA 2025. Two further Nomad models, positioned as urban scramblers, are expected to follow at the beginning of next year.
Norton states that the new models have undergone full homologation, leaving behind the previous individual vehicle approvals (MSVA). The Manx R is said to have completed more than 29,700 kilometres of development testing on road and track.
Pricing and availability still open
Norton has not yet communicated specific prices or an exact market launch for Europe. The models are scheduled to become available in 2026 in Europe, the USA and India. In India, the Manx R is expected to be positioned in a price range of roughly 22,000 to 27,500 euros (around 24,400 to 30,500 US dollars), while European prices are likely to differ. The Indian website is already online and shows the complete colour palette. In India, the focus initially seems to be on the more accessible Atlas range, which is built entirely at the TVS plant in Hosur.
➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: New Motorcycles 2026: All Models, Releases, and Highlights at a Glance. Find all key information on this topic in one place.
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