Modern Vespa

Seen first on Hell for Leather

Posted on Scooterfile

Other than the image, not many details. 3V engine. Nothing about it replacing the LX, as some dealers were told back in March.

I didn't love the style of concept version, but was clearly in the minority on that.

This is toned down a touch and I like the black. Look forward to seeing it in person.

Still mostly stoked about the engine and hope it does make it into US LXs or LX Ss next year.

Is that a removable cowl panel I see? I bet some folks are going to be excited about that.

Still looks pretty minimalist, though I think it's nice overall. I'm still kind shocked at the lack of storage, since that's been a pretty big selling point of a lot of modern scoots.

Ah. more: http://www.scootersales.com.au/News-4677-vespa-946.aspx

I have a feeling it may be a limited edition. I really hope it doesn't replace the LX series entirely. Maybe they have something else up their sleeves.

If this is indeed the production version, they stuck closer to the concept than I'd ever have expected.

Looks like they've decided to forgo onboard storage altogether. This decision may satisfy those who loved the concept vehicle, but it will certainly limit the utility... and perhaps their market.

I really like the lines. I need an underseat storage.

wow... looking forward to more 411 and pics in the coming weeks.

Did you read the linked article?

ABS and Traction control!

Not sure why this small of scoot needs traction control, but perhaps it was easier to adapt the much needed ABS system from an existing TC/ABS combined system than start from scratch.

Might mean it will come to other bikes too.

I don't think the market for this is the practical urban commuter or rider. They're really going for the nostalgia buyer here, which is why I think the LX or another 125/150 will remain and this may be either a special edition or a pricier option. The BV350 comes with those... outside North America. I'm not counting on seeing those features on our version.

I'd be surprised to see those features on US spec versions, that hasn't been a trademark of theirs on larger, more powerful product.

But then, "anything" can happen.

Now that I see this, I suspect you may be right. I'll be interested to see what they do with the LX or its successor.

Since the concept vehicle was first displayed, I'd thought the 946 was intended to succeed the LX. Not so, apparently.

Well... that's what some dealers were told at the US dealer meeting last spring, but that whole thing was weird. Instead of announcing the 946 to the group. they sort of planted the news in some dealers' ears. It was later confirmed by a press release that never appeared on Piaggio's corporate or press sites.

From one of the links above...

"Another moden update is a switch to an aluminum (from steel) body. That will cut weight, aiding both fuel efficiency and ease of use. That lightness is reflected in the use of a cantilevered seat. Likely to be the most controversial element of this design, that seat is striking, but does eliminate the practical underseat storage space that's long been a scooter hallmark."

Aluminum?

Really?

R

Still no stand.

Gyro?

Lets not forget the North American version will certainly have reflectors and pod turn signals and LIKELY have rear stem signals as well, to conform with DOT signal distance requirements. Anyone good with photoshop?

If Piaggio has long term plans for it, this could be a special edition especially the seat/rear treatment. Then later "traditionalizing" it with a pet carrier, etc and then replacing the LX series with it. To tool-up for such a limited production wont be profitable, unless the price and quantity produced are higher than expected.

Maybe that'll keep MSRP under $5k.

The stand is there... in the up position. Piaggio always does that in their promotional photos.

They only use the gyro for the photo sessions.

Fixed that for you.
Aluminum is expensive.

I'd be VERY surprised if the MSRP is under $5k.

Anybody wanna start a pool? I'm guessing $7k.

Shocked, especially IF it's aluminum and IF it's truly a limited edition.

I'm thinking 7k regardless of what it's minted from.

Damn you Silver Streak ^^^

So, Jess, you going to eat those words now?

I think the seat lifts. Dosen't it?

Ooh La La 8)

I was wondering that, too. I don't know how else you'd get gas in it. Perhaps that's the only thing that's actually under that little seat.

Okay, okay, looks like it's real after all. Clearly, a preview of my dinner tonight is below.

I'll bet actual money that it's a limited edition.

There's still a restyled LX out there, not yet revealed.

Drool...

the cantilevered seat looks like it'd be tough to support two-up riding. love the styling. hubs look like a pita to clean.

best
miguel

The seat reminds me of the head in the Alien movies.

Sweet! Now make it bigger and sportier looking and call it a GTR. PLEASE!

That would be ALUMINIUM right?

Good luck to any home welders out there. Might stop future bodges out of Asia in 40 years time though.

That's something I could see sacrificing other material objects and garage space to obtain. I don't know if it's the black paint, the sudden realization that the 946 might actually materialize, the angle in the photo, or something else altogether, but I WANT that Vespa!

It's absolutely stunning. Period.

And I don't care where it has underseat storage, ABS, whether it gets 130mpg or 10mpg, a glovebox or no - I want one.

+1

That would be an awesome scooter to have.

The guy who discovered the element -- Humphrey Davy -- called it aluminum.

From Wikipedia: The "anonymous contributor" -- along with the rest of you who somehow think that there's an extra i in the name -- can just go right ahead and suck it.

125?

Last I heard it was gonna be offered as a 125 & 150cc...

I wish. All that I see is a bunny.

Bigger pic:
http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Anteprima-Vespa-946.jpg

12" tires! Starting to like it. Crap. I'd just fallen for the new black LX S special edition. I wouldn't take that bet. My current thought is that this will not replace the LX, but some model incorporating some of the 946 style might. Also think the 946 may be a limited edition in the way a GT60 was, meaning a year later they'll come out with a slightly different production version as they did with the GTV.

And for chrissakes, if I'm going to replace my aging LX in a couple years, I want that 3V engine!

I'll bet one of the first accessories will be a bolt-on cubby for inside the legshield. Should be easy to design one that won't spoil the lines of the scooter.

The only other scooter I know of witn an aluminium body was the Rumi - one of my favourites.

That 3V 150 engine will out-perform a PX200. And even more so because of the light body.

Mike

Agreed, The US 46 will get plenty of reflectors. I'm thinking the front turn signals maybe built into the legshield and may be Euro turn signals. They are modest so I'm thinking the reflectors might be smaller than what are on other US vespas. From what I see mirrors, removable cowling?, euro turn signals & I believe a side kickstand (look close under the pipe) are all that's been added.

I feel piaggio has put too much effort in this new body, engine & concept for it to be a limited edition. small production quite possbly. Cost higher than a LXV or 300 but less than a 300 super or GTV. As for storage None so long as it compromises the body design. I'd like to see some S style pockets behind the legshield. Cuppini will probably design front & rear racks or rear basket but not much else. This bike is for the serious vespa enthusiast who like a naked scoot.

The LX is the best selling vespa currently in US so I don't see piaggio
pulling it soon. Eventually a new series will come out for the 50/150 that will incorporate some of the 46 design but with more storage but who knows. Our market in the US is so small compared to worldwide sales I can't imagine Piaggio giving us much thought.