Spied Moto Guzzi V7 hints at contemporary makeover for retro classic

In the year it celebrates its centenary as a motorcycle manufacturer, historic Italian firm Moto Guzzi seems determined not to let the milestone go unmarked after spy shots of a new generation Moto Guzzi V7 appeared.

A nameplate that can trace its roots right back to the 1960s, the V7 in its current guise has been in production since 2012 and given regular updates via a series of distinct trim levels that now total nine models, when you include the more potent V7 III variant.

A favourite with its classic retro looks, these spy shots - taken by Trials rider Oscar Malugani and published on Moto.it - don’t give too much away in terms of detail, but a more contemporary finish looks to be on the cards.

While the bluffer, more angular side fairing might be a camo-ruse, the front-end at least appears to show a smaller, more modern-looking front headlight - possibly a dual one if our eyesight serves us correctly - though the squared-off perspex shroud is probably more a trick than a final touch.

With EICMA only a few short weeks away, there is a possibility the production version will make its bow there, but if it doesn’t there will still be plenty of attention trained on the Moto Guzzi stand as it celebrates 100 years of existence with at least one brand new model.

That is the new V100 Mandello, a GT Sports Tourer with a 1000cc, based around the architecture of the V9 roadster and intended to continue the success of the V85 TT adventure-tourer, its last big launch in 2018.

Details of the V100 Mandello remain under wraps until EICMA, but it will provide an Italian alternative by going up against the new Honda NT 1100 and Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT.