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11
www.automobil.co.za
July 2022
industry news
orton Motorcycles has announced its intention to begin develop-
ing electric motorcycles in the UK after winning significant invest-
ment through a government scheme.
The iconic British motorcycle brand has been awarded funding by Ad-
vanced Propulsion Centre (APC) 19, an initiative which aims to assist busi-
nesses in the automotive sector in advancing their low-carbon offering
while helping to accelerate the UK towards a net-zero automotive future,
a future that Norton fully embraces.
As demand for electric motorcycles and micro-mobility solutions
grow, the project, Zero Emission Norton, will expand Norton’s ev-
er-growing electric vehicle engineering capabilities and develop world-
class electric motorcycles.
Guided by a design-led philosophy and a relentless commitment to
perfection, the electric products will still look unmistakably Norton. The
team will refine the traditional Norton design DNA, but with modern
twists introducing industry leading innovations and digital solutions.
Electric products to date offer either range or performance, as the
weight and size of the battery compromise vehicle design. However, us-
ing the extensive engineering and design experience within the Norton
team, this project looks to eliminate that compromise while simultane-
ously delivering race performance and touring range.
Norton is an iconic British brand with a proud history. From making
motorcycles, to supporting the Second World War effort, to developing
the world’s first production superbike, they are now looking to the future
with an electric bike that will deliver both performance and range.
by roger houghton
obin Emslie, who passed away in George on
8 June, was a journalist who left an indelible
imprint on the annals of South African mo-
toring, not only with his journalistic expertise and
long-running publishing endeavours, but also his
skill as chairman of the SA Guild of Motoring Jour-
nalists, where he served for 11 terms. A well-at-
tended memorial service to celebrate his life was
held at his home at Rondevlei, Sedgefield.
Robin was originally from Cape Town and his
first job was working as a cadet reporter at the
Cape Times. He later expanded his journalistic in-
terests to include a host of magazines and news-
letters, including publishing the RMI’s Automobil
magazine and WesBank’s Dealer News for many
years. Always a keen follower of motor sport
he also published newsletters for several of the
manufacturers and sponsors over the years.
However, where he made a major impact on
the South African motor industry at large was in
the dynamic way he grew the SA Guild of Motor-
ing Journalists, of which he was a founding mem-
ber, into a cohesive, well organised and respected
body. Under his leadership the Guild interacted
with the key players in the industry to build events
such as Car of the Year, as well as organising the
prestigious Motoring Journalist of the Year and
Motor Sportsman of the Year contests.
Robin spent much of his working life in Johan-
nesburg before retiring to his home on the Gar-
den Route. He continued to work as a consultant,
including assisting Ian Shrosbree in establishing
and running the successful Simola Hillclimb in
Knysna for many years.
Robin died suddenly after falling at his home
and being hospitalised. He was 82. He leaves his
wife Pixie, and five children, Geraldine, Ingrid,
Craig, Cathryn, and Bruce, as well as Pixie’s “ad-
opted son”, Bruce Kgosana.
Rubin van Niekerk, the current President of
the SAGMJ, summed it up very well in the con-
cluding paragraph of his tribute to Robin when he
wrote, “Robin had a massive impact on all of us in
the Guild and we will miss him but never forget
him, nor the incredibly positive influence he had
on all of us.”
Norton to develop electric
motorcycles
A tribute to Robin Emslie