Inside the design of the limited edition Streetdog Noir
Inspired by New Zealand’s black sand beaches, Michel Roncara, Streetdog designer and now GM at FTN Motion, reveals the meaning behind the Limited Edition Streetdog Noir.
“The Noir is a tribute to our love for the sea,” says Michel Roncara, Streetdog designer and now GM at FTN Motion. The Streetdog Noir is FTN Motion’s debut limited edition Streetdog, with only 20 available for order. Here, Roncara explains the inspiration behind the design.
New Zealand is renowned for its dramatic mountains and lush forests, but its coastline is equally stunning, stretching along both the North and South Islands. Among its many beautiful beaches, the black sand beaches of the North Island's west coast are particularly striking. These beaches feature volcanic sand made of titanomagnetite, formed from the erosion of Mount Taranaki. As the sand is carried northward, it becomes fine and glittering, creating a unique and mesmerising landscape where the dark sand can be both rough and elegant.
Originally from Italy, Roncara moved to New Zealand in his late 20s and immediately fell in love with the west coast. “When I arrived in New Zealand, I spent a lot of time exploring and was mesmerised by the west coast - the black sand, crashing waves, and dramatic landscapes,” says Roncara. “It also reminded me of my childhood, where we often visited Lake Bracciano back in Italy. It’s a volcanic lake with black sand similar to the west coast of New Zealand.”
The Streetdog Noir was designed to encapsulate the roughness and elegance of New Zealand’s west coast.
“Taking inspiration from the black sand beaches seemed like a fitting way to pay tribute to the love of the sea that so many of us share. Many people have nostalgic memories of visiting the west coast. There’s something about the black sand’s roughness and elegance that is both relaxing and intimidating. We wanted people to feel this connection when they saw the Streetdog Noir.”
“I’m half French and half Italian, so calling it the Streetdog Noir came naturally. Noir means ‘black’ in French. Interestingly, it also refers to the genre of classic Noir films, which often featured city nights and duotone imagery. This wasn’t the inspiration behind the Noir, but there is an uncanny overlap with these motifs."
Unique to the Streetdog Noir is its satin black finish and custom dog tag. It also comes with Boost Mode and our Comfort Package installed. Boost Mode provides extra torque and acceleration with 5 kW of peak power, resulting in a dynamic ride and better performance on steep hills. The Comfort Package includes adjustable footpeg brackets and handlebar risers, creating a more relaxed riding position with less pressure on the knees and wrists.
To upgrade your commute or explore around town, the Streetdog Noir offers a fun and freeing experience for urban travel. Crafted in limited runs in New Zealand, you can reserve yours today and take one for a test ride.