It sounds to me that what they have done is tilted the rear link counter clockwise (from a drive side view) thus using the chain length to help pedalling efficiency as it extends under compression. Sounds like you may wear through a fair few chains with this system. I have noticed that the base model Range is using a different seat stay (possibly from a Fluid LT) that doesn't use the post mount or through axle which is going to make it much less stiff than the higher models. Basically the way I see it is if you want a bullshit good all mountain bike for good dollars then go the Range 2 or 1, if you can afford the SE, look at a Stumpjumper EVO, Nomad C, Blur LTC etc. This looks to be a step in the right direction for Norco though and I am stoked for them! Maybe a carbon Range for 2012?

'Hampsteadbandit', I'm not sure that the Unified rear triangle design you are thinking of (like an old RM Pipeline?) applies to these designs (this bike, kona bass etc) where the rear end pivots around the bb, because the BB is actually attatched to the front triangle and the rear triangle pivots on its own bearings around the BB. Therefore the suspension design works more like a single pivot suck as an orange, just with the main pivot in a different location. I could be wrong but this is just my understanding of it ;).

For the people who are whinging about the top tube becoming shorter on impact, it won't matter. The feel and length of your front end is determined by the horizontal distance from the centre of the BB to the centre of the head tube, which doesn't change when the suspension compresses. The only thing that changes upon compression the the seat angle, which will only effect you if you land jumps sitting down, which if you do, you're an idiot. In my opinion it is a genious idea and I would love to try one out.