Norton Atlas Sketches Tease New 650cc Scrambler
Norton revealed two sketches showing a new scrambler that will debut in November. The 2019 Norton Atlas will be powered by a new 650cc Twin powerplant with a target price of about £10,000 (US$13,200).
The Atlas revives a name from Norton’s past. The original Norton Atlas was introduced in 1962, with an aircooled 745cc Twin. At the time, it was the largest engine the company had ever produced, thanks to an increase in bore and stroke from the Norton Dominator‘s 497cc engine.
Ironically, the new Atlas will use what will be Norton’s smallest current engine. The 650cc Twin is actually based on the Norton V4 RR‘s engine, minus the rear cylinders and the stroke lengthened. Norton is reportedly working on three different versions of the engine, a low-powered 70 hp version, a regular 100 hp tuning, and a supercharged version claiming 175 hp (expect the Atlas to remain naturally aspirated.)
The sketches reveal a steel tube frame, rising exhaust, wire-spoke wheels, twin front disc brakes and an upside-down fork. The circular headlight is bracketed by a pointy beak of a fender and a small windscreen. Having said that, some details may change between now and when the Atlas will make its public debut in the fall at the U.K.’s NEC show.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
Comments
Join the conversation
Deja Vu 72.
Not good.
The 'New' Norton Company hasn't been good about getting its bikes over here for sale. It's been at least 6 years since their 960 Commando (based off Kenny Dreers failed effort) was ready for sale in the UK but from what I can tell only a relative handful made it here. We haven't seen their V4 here. What makes anyone in the informed press believe they'll bring this Atlas here?