For a brand that’s been around since 1898, Norton Motorcycles has lived one hell of a life. From dominating the Isle of Man TT in the mid-20th century to going bankrupt more times than we can count, Norton is one of the most storied—and troubled—names in motorcycling. But if recent developments are any indication, the brand might finally be turning a corner. And this time, its future runs straight through India.
TVS Motor Company, one of India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers, acquired Norton in April 2020 for £16 million. At the time, Norton had just collapsed under the weight of mismanagement, unpaid taxes, and an ugly pension fraud scandal. The move was a surprise, especially since TVS had never dabbled in the premium motorcycle space at that level before. But for TVS, the acquisition wasn’t about immediate gains. But rather, it was about long-term potential.
And that’s why, even though TVS is an Indian company, it didn’t rush to launch Norton bikes in India. Instead, it did the hard, unglamorous work: stabilizing operations, moving Norton into a new state-of-the-art facility in Solihull, streamlining production, and rebuilding consumer trust. Think of it as putting a classic café racer through a complete ground-up restoration—slow, expensive, but absolutely worth it.
Now, the payoff is finally taking shape. TVS has confirmed that Norton will enter the Indian market by the end of 2025, with up to six new models expected by 2027. That’s not just a toe in the water—it’s a full dive. And this time, the bikes are expected to be more than just British exotica with sky-high price tags.
Currently, Norton’s UK lineup includes the Commando 961, the V4SV, and the V4CR. The Commando is the classic: an air-cooled 961cc parallel-twin making 76 horsepower and 60 lb-ft of torque. It’s old-school in every sense of the word, right down to its steel frame and twin shocks.
Then there’s the V4SV, a 1,200cc superbike pushing 185 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque from a V4 engine derived from Norton’s old TT racer. It's paired with a bespoke aluminum chassis and premium components from Öhlins and Brembo. The V4CR, meanwhile, takes that same platform and reimagines it as a naked café racer, complete with exposed frame rails and aggressive ergonomics.
Cool bikes, no doubt, but not exactly tailored for the Indian market. That’s where things get interesting. Multiple reports suggest that Norton’s Indian debut could include one or two all-new, small-displacement models in the 350cc to 450cc range, possibly revealed as early as September 2025. These would likely be built in India and could share platforms with other TVS models. Think of a premium, retro-themed sibling to the TVS Ronin, for example.
Given the surge of interest in mid-displacement bikes globally, thanks to machines like the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Triumph Speed 400, it would make perfect sense for Norton to play in this space. Picture a lightweight, high-style roadster with British branding, Indian engineering, and a price tag to undercut the big European players. Sounds like a solid recipe, doesn’t it?
Norton’s expansion is also being bolstered by the recently signed India–UK Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to reduce tariffs and make it easier for Indian-made bikes to reach global markets and vice versa. TVS’s Managing Director, Sudarshan Venu, has already signaled that this agreement will help scale Norton faster while enabling shared supply chains between the two countries.
All of this points to a brand that’s slowly but surely redeeming itself. Norton still has a long way to go before it can shake off its troubled past, but the steps being taken now—product diversification, local manufacturing, and a broader global vision—are the right ones.
So, with the Indian market finally in sight, there’s one big question left: when will Norton return to the US? It’s been absent for years, and while the company has made noise about reestablishing a global presence, nothing concrete has been announced for North America. But if the Indian rollout goes smoothly, don’t be surprised if Norton makes a play for the US next.
Sources: Motorcycle Sports, HT Auto
