The Triumph Trident is back after a 45-year hiatus | GRR
More than half a century after the original Triumph Trident made its debut, the British manufacturer has revealed a new namesake design prototype.
The model that emerged from under the covers at the London Design Museum today is the culmination of a four-year project, and constitutes a contemporary, triple-powered take on Triumph’s iconic British design. Due to arrive in production form in Spring 2021, the Trident will serve as a new entry point into Triumph’s Roadster range, which currently comprises the Street and Speed Triples.
While the middleweight roadster segment is a competitive one, Triumph has historically seen success with the latter two models and their predecessors. With a promised competitive price, plus the Triple’s characteristic low end torque and high end power, class leading technology and agile handling, the Trident will likely prove an attractive prospect to young and new riders. And while the engine capacity is yet to be revealed, Triumph’s admission that it will be “bringing all the advantages of a triple to the category for the first time”, suggests that it will be around the 500cc mark.
Designed and developed by the manufacturer’s Hinckley design team, the Trident features input from Rodolfo Frascoli, of Frascoli design, who has previously brought an Italian touch to the 2020 Tiger 900.
And while the original Trident, which also moonlighted as the BSA Rocket 3, has more in common with one of Triumph’s modern classic range, this latest generation model boasts a distinctive roadster design, with a short exhaust, muscular body and clean lines. Cues from the Street Triple are clearly visible, and while the prototype model does not reveal the Trident’s colours or materials, it’s unlikely to be dripping in chrome.
Of the project, Triumph Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent commented: “The Trident design prototype marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Triumph, where the brief was all about fun, from the look to the ride. With its pure minimalist form, clean lines, Triumph design DNA and more than a hint of our Speed Triple’s muscular poise, this gives the first exciting glimpse at the full Trident story to come. Ultimately our aim was to bring a new take on character and style, alongside the accessible easy handling and quality Triumph is known for – at a price that’s really competitive.”