Pierre Terblanche has joined Norton Motorcycles as head of product development and design, starting work at Norton's Donington Park factory in Central England on January 4th.

The 54-year old South African designer produced a number of renowned models for Ducati, Cagiva and Moto Guzzi over the last 20 years, and since leaving Ducati in 2007, turned his hand to designing award-winning boats and watercraft.

The appointment marks a key step in Norton's growing momentum as a world brand. It provides confirmation that owner Stuart Garner is intent on taking Norton into the global marketplace by developing a range of Terblanche-designed models powered by modern liquid-cooled overhead-cam motors, alongside the pushrod-engined air-cooled range of retro Commando 961 models which has fuelled the Norton comeback.

"Pierre's experience of bringing innovative new products to the marketplace will be a vital factor in developing the Norton range, while paying due respect to its traditions," says Garner, 41. "His proven ability to think outside the envelope while respecting the image of the marque he's working with, makes it very exciting to have him come here to Britain and work for us. Combining his flair for original concepts with Norton's sporting traditions will allow us to create a range of motorcycles bearing the historic Norton badge that'll be unlike anything else in the marketplace."

That's a challenge which Pierre Terblanche himself relishes. "Norton is one of the great names in motorcycling, and it was too good a chance to pass up to be involved in bringing it back to its former glory, by creating something fresh and new by drawing on its history, but expressing it in a modern context," he says.

www.nortonmotorcycles.com