Horex Regina Evo: Carbon-framed single-cylinder retro breaks cover

German firm Horex, who are best known for their six-cylinder VR6 naked range, have revealed a striking new single cylinder retro at the Intermot trade show in Cologne, complete with a carbon fibre frame.

Called the Regina Evo, the bike takes its name from a machine first introduced by the Landsberg am Lech-based company back in 1950, with the first 100 units of the new model featuring the monocoque carbon chassis.

Designed to mimic the look of the original Regina, which continued to develop until 1955, the swingarm, seat holder and bracket, front and rear mudguards, and headlight cover will also be finished in carbon, with the petrol tank arriving in polished aluminium.

The original Regina came without rear suspension and so the Evo’s rear shock is mounted beneath the rider’s seat and shrouded by elements of the frame – ensuring the necessary movement whilst giving the impression of a hardtail. The seat itself is also produced using 3D printing and can be altered between 790 and 810mm.

Although frames of this material have traditionally been reserved for high-performance motorcycles like BMW’s 215bhp HP4 Race and the 221bhp Ducati Superleggera V4, the carbon-clad Horex gets a more pedestrian 600cc 4V DOHC single making a claimed 47bhp.

Compatible with an A2 licence, power is then fed to the ground via a six-speed manual gearbox, with 39.9lbft of torque also available to shift the claimed 133kg dry weight.

Away from the motor, the Evo also gets a full LED front cornering headlight, which has been designed to sit in an H as a tribute to the brand. There’s also a rounded three-inch colour display with touch screen control for your need-to-know information.

Rolling on 18in chrome-look spoked rims complete with Metzeler Lasertec rubber, you also get dual two-piston Beringer front calipers that bite onto 260mm discs. There’s even cornering ABS and traction control on offer, which can be pared back to just conventional ABS (needed to meet Euro5 requirements) for a more simplistic feel.

So then, why all that carbon for a bike making less than 50 horsepower? Horex is a member of the 3C-Carbon Group AG, – a collective of companies specialising in building components for the automotive, mechanical engineering, medical and aerospace sectors. No prices are yet available for the Regina Evo, but it’s safe to assume it won’t be cheap.