ZigOpinion: Trademark For ‘Norton Electra’ Filed In India - Our Expectations

Quick Read: 

• Norton has trademarked the name “Norton Electra” in the country

• TVS had earlier confirmed Norton will make use of BMW Motorrad’s 450cc platform

• Is likely to debut at the 2025 EICMA by the end of the year 

TVS-owned Norton seems pretty busy cooking something really hot in its backyard. We all know the name “Royal Enfield Bullet Electra”, but a little-known fact is that there was a motorcycle with the same “Electra” name from Norton back in the day (read 1960s)! Interestingly, the name “Norton Electra” has been trademarked in the country. Earlier this month, TVS kind of confirmed that both it and Norton are working on their own respective take on the 450cc parallel-twin platform that BMW Motorrad debuted. 

Putting the two together, it’s pretty evident that the upcoming Norton motorcycle could be called the “Norton Electra”. That would be such a great way to kick electric-start the brand’s new journey, wouldn’t it? Here’s what we think it’s all about: 

Old-School Yet Modern

Expect the upcoming Norton Electra to have a design ethos similar to the OG 1960s Norton Electra (successor to the Norton Navigator), which was a roadster. This genre is as simple as it can get while exuding class without compromising practicality. Similarly, the modern avatar of the Norton Electra will also be simple yet elegant, and will have a comfy, upright riding posture. 

The OG Electra was known for its silver paint job, and bar-end indicators; the new avatar could carry forward some of its traits. Expect the new Norton to receive a snazzy chrome-laden look with a long, single-piece seat and paired with cross-spoked (hopefully tubeless) wheels. If Norton manages to pull off the bar-end indicators in the upcoming bike, it would just be the cherry on top to complete the iconic look. 

Same Engine As A BMW?!

It is no secret that the upcoming BMW F 450 GS will get a parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine, producing around 47PS, and will be made by TVS. While the heart in the BMW ADV looks every bit modern (as it should), expect TVS to have a completely different design take on the Norton motorcycle. Norton might make some aesthetic changes to the engine on the outside, such as adding fins to suit the bike’s neo-retro theme. If we’re lucky, we might also see the engine to be tweaked differently to go with the relatively laid-back nature of the roadster genre. 

Of course, as expected from a roadster, it could come with telescopic fork, twin rear shock absorbers, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS. 

A Norton Navigator In The Truest Sense?

As for the features, we would love it if Norton gives the upcoming roadster a twin-pod analogue console with two pods containing the speedometer and the tachometer, and a small digital inset for odometer and other readings.  Additionally, for the tech-savvy generation, Norton could provide it with an optional third pod, a TFT display for navigation. This should bring a nice balance between old-school cool and new-age bling.

When Will It Launch?

We expect the 450cc Norton to debut in this year’s EICMA show, and launch in India sometime early next year. As for the price, the Norton will be a premium offering from TVS, expected to be priced around Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. Even though it will be a lot more affordable than Norton’s other big bikes, Norton may not look at sheer sales numbers for the Electra like Royal Enfield does with the Classic 350. It will be a one-of-a-kind retro motorcycle in the small-capacity segment. 

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