AFTER MORE THAN 18 MILLION UNITS SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD, VESPA OFFERS A CELEBRATORY VERSION, A SPECIAL SERIES THAT ENHANCES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF INIMITABLE ELEGANCE THAT MADE IT THE MOST BELOVED SCOOTER IN THE WORLD. AND IN 2016 CELEBRATES ITS FIRST 70 YEARS
To celebrate a legend that has united nations and generations, the youngest and most dynamic Vespa Primavera, the largest and most powerful Vespa GTS and the insurmountable Vespa PX take on an exclusive personalisation
It was 1946 when the first Vespa, the legendary 98 cc, rolled out of the Pontedera production plant. For its 70th anniversary the Piaggio Group pays tribute to the most beloved scooter ever with a special version. A personalisation that celebrates the heritage of a vehicle that has gone beyond its function of agile and fun commuting, becoming a cult item, an example of design and an icon of Italian elegance.
And so three models, the quick and agile Primavera, the GTS flagship and the insurmountable PX celebrate this important milestone which will arrive in 2016 with a special series distinguished by an exclusive colour scheme based on the new Azzurro 70 colour, a special début scheme for this once in a lifetime occasion. This unique paintwork enhances and highlights the charm of this truly special edition, thanks in part to a series of personalised touches that include a brand new dark brown saddle, finished with contrasting beige piping and thermobonding that depicts the Vespa Settantesimo logo, elegantly placed at at the height of the passenger seat. The livery of all the Vespa Settantesimo models is also characterised by a dedicated graphic on the side fairings and an identification plate on the door of the front glove compartment, whereas the wheel rims are elegantly painted with a special non-standard colour.
The Vespa PX holds a special place in this celebration (in the classic 125 cc and 150 cc engine capacities), a timeless legend which, thanks in part to its classic manual four speed gearbox, remains a legendary and unmistakeable model. To celebrate its 70th birthday Vespa could not neglect the Primavera, the model that interprets the youngest and cheekiest spirit of the range and which, with the introduction of ABS in the 125 and 150 engine capacity versions, also confirms its attention to safety and continuous technological upgrades which has always marked Vespa's history. The Vespa GTS 300 also takes on the festive look, the large body Vespa, the sportiest and most powerful, christened for some time now as the Vespa family technological cutting-edge.
The new top box bag comes standard on the Vespa Settantesimo special series, made of the same material and colour coded to match the saddle. The bag can be mounted on the rear luggage rack with fold-down shelf, offered as standard equipment on all models in the Vespa Settantesimo range.
STYLISH, LIGHTWEIGHT, EASY TO RIDE, HIGH PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: LIBERTY IS COMPLETELY NEW BUT IT REMAINS FAITHFUL TO THE VALUES WHICH MADE IT A SUCCESS. THE NEW GENERATION OF PIAGGIO iGET ENGINES MAKES ITS DÉBUT, THE RESULT OF A BRAND NEW DESIGN PHILOSOPHY WHICH MAKES CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ITS PRIMARY OBJECTIVE, THANKS TO THE EXCEPTIONAL CONSTRUCTION QUALITY, REDUCED CONSUMPTION AND BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE
Piaggio New Liberty - Official Video
Piaggio Liberty is a milestone in two-wheeled mobility development. It is synonymous with independence and freedom. Introduced in its first version in 1997, Liberty is one of those rare products that, model after model, has managed to remain faithful to itself and its name, continuously modernising and meeting the needs of new generations of customers.
Piaggio Liberty has skilfully achieved great success, finding favour with the most advanced customers, because of its ability to meet the needs of mobility and freedom with a formula that combined style, light weight, an easy ride and safety.
After 18 years of successful sales to the tune of more than 900 thousand units, Piaggio Liberty is completely reborn but in line with the values that inspired the original project and with the goal of meeting the demand - increasingly stronger - for a vehicle characterised by superior quality levels, lightweight and sturdy, easy to use but with impeccable performance and with high technological content at the service of safety, such as the ABS braking system that comes standard on the 125 and 150 cc versions. With the ABS feature, Liberty 125 goes above and beyond the European regulations which make a simpler combined braking system compulsory for the “eighth litre” engine capacity.
New engines, new ergonomics, new active safety systems and new elegant lines to go with the large diameter wheels which, from the very first Liberty, gave a compact scooter all the dynamic safety of superior class vehicles, contributing to it being concretely established in the “high wheel” segment.
The Piaggio Liberty transformation is not simply an evolution, it is a true rebirth which, building on the principles that inspired the first Liberty, has produced a completely new, technologically advanced vehicle on the roads today, but one that is extraordinarily coherent with the heritage of a true best-seller, designed to meet the most advanced an modern needs in terms of quality, style, safety, operating economy and environmental friendliness.
The dimensions have increased and, along with them, so has comfort in the saddle. New and technological engines are here, the front wheel diameter has increased and consequently so have the active safety margins. The light weight, user friendliness and natural charm of the product remain unchanged, even in the presence of a more “important” vehicle, confirming Liberty as a scooter capable of satisfying the widest variety of customers: from the very young who will find the new Piaggio as a perfect entry level vehicle, to the young and more mature rider looking for safe, easy mobility with low operating costs.
PIAGGIO iGET, A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE IS BORN: MORE POWER, LESS CONSUMPTION, SMOOTHER RIDING
Piaggio New Liberty - Still Life
The new family of Piaggio iGet engines in the air cooled version is introduced for the first time on the new Liberty, a unit that represents the cutting-edge of the respective engine capacity segments. The new Piaggio iGet powerplants are the result of a design philosophy that sets new and more advanced quality and reliability levels - along with low consumption and emissions - as its primary objectives. Every aspect of the design was aimed at increasing the efficiency of each individual part in order to contribute to maximising performance.
More than one million kilometres which have already been ridden during the testing phase of the first Piaggio iGet engines are a testament to the attention to quality and reliability in the development process of the new iGet engines which, thanks to the modular nature of the project, can be provided in liquid or air cooled versions with 3 or 4 valve timing.
The new Liberty comes in three different engine versions - 50, 125 and 150 cc – to meet any mobility needs, with such points in common as brilliant performance in the respective engine capacity categories, the quality and reliability of the powerplants, low operating costs and the contained emissions, including noise. All of the Liberty engines are ultra-modern 4-stroke, air cooled and electronically fuel injected. Each and every detail, from the exhaust to the internal design of the gearbox cover, all the way to the new air filter, has been redesigned to make the ride smoother, quieter and more comfortable.
The 50 cc 4-stroke engine is a true jewel, with an entirely new thermal part. Characterised by the 3 valve timing system that distinguishes the iGet family, the new fifty is the result of a design that aims to maximise quality, reliability and implement an extraordinary reduction in consumption and harmful emissions. It is the perfect drivetrain for a very young person's first ride, and the new rider will certainly appreciate the brilliant features that combine with marked operating savings, thanks to the fuel consumption which is contained to 58 km/l at a constant speed of 40 km/h. In terms of environmentally friendliness in the city, the usual stomping grounds for the new Liberty, the new engine keeps noise to a minimum thanks to the development of new gearbox settings that allow the single cylinder to maintain quick performance while still being “docile”, in other words, at a lower average rpm compared to the engines in the previous generation. The result is a reduction in mechanical noise in addition to lower fuel consumption.
The 50, 125 and 150 cc engines that equip the new Liberty are characterised by a new injection system with improved efficiency and boast superior performance, both in terms of power and torque, all to the advantage of acceleration from low rpm which translates into a new quickness and responsiveness in typical stop and go city riding. A new eight-hole injector delivers the fuel in a fine spray for optimum combustion. In particular, the new Piaggio 125 cc engine is more than 10% more powerful than the engine in the previous Liberty version, with a 16% drop in fuel consumption.The 150 stands out for its superior brilliance which makes it a more satisfying ride in any conditions: 9.6 kW at 7,750 rpm and torque of 13 Nm at 6,500 rpm guarantee plenty of torque at any rpm and make the Liberty ABS particularly lively both in city traffic conditions and on the open road. All whilst maintaining extraordinarily low fuel consumption, up to 57 km/l at a constant speed of 40 km/h.
Piaggio iGet 125 cc and 150 cc are single cylinder engines, completely new both in terms of mechanical components and electronic parts. Some of the brand new components worth a mention are:
the crankshaft, with 24% increased inertia compared with the previous engine for a decisive reduction in vibrations and a smoother ride.
the new starter motor, 70% quieter
the gearbox cover, to reduce the noise even more and increase stiffness.
the air filter with automotive style paper filter, which improves filtering action to reduce intake noise.
the barometric sensor, so that combustion is always optimised.
Particular care was dedicated to defining the scooter's new clutch, designed and developed to maximise riding satisfaction. More specifically, attention was focused on power management both in phases of slight acceleration and in “stop and go” riding which is so typical of the big city and traffic jams. The results, from the rider's point of view, are a smooth and soft ride that, combined with the engine's increased power, provide an experience that is always pleasant, smooth and jerk-free. The exhaust is also entirely new. The new unit makes the engine quieter and at the same time ensures a more full and pleasant timbre. Also, the new aluminium arm connects the exhaust-engine assembly, increasing the stiffness of the entire system.
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY: NO COMPROMISE FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
The new Piaggio Liberty is the result of a new development process which, from the very first design phases, sets its goals as superior final quality of the vehicle and performance, as well as keeping customer satisfaction at the centre of the process.
Targets such as perfect ergonomics, user friendliness, handling and stability and low fuel consumption and emissions with more and more lively performance stem from an attention to the end customer in order to provide the market with an ultra modern, high performance, stylish and well crafted vehicle with which to distinguish themselves even when riding in the most elegant metropolitan environments.
The new Liberty family boasts superior construction quality that shines through not only in the reliability - an essential value - but also in the physical perception of top shelf finishing. The new materials, the new treatments, the combinations and even the colour choices, all contribute to a sensation of perceived quality that can satisfy even the most advanced customer.
The solidity of the Piaggio Liberty and each one of its components is a clear trait of the new vehicle, as is the painstaking care for each and every detail which comes out in aspects which are anything but secondary such as the modular feeling of the throttle, the perfect construction of the storage compartment in the leg shield back plate, the materials selected to cover the seat, the sound of the engine, the absence of vibrations and the feeling during braking. This is a construction process that significantly raises the Liberty's global quality level and which allows us to offer the customer a valuable and reliable product that will maintain its advanced characteristics over time.
NEW FRAME, NEW CHASSIS, NEW ERGONOMICS, ABS SYSTEM: PIAGGIO LIBERTY IS BORN SAFE
Piaggio New Liberty - Still Life 2
Superior handling for an absolutely easy ride, uncompromising stability at even the highest speeds for undisputed safety: these are the “guides” that inspired the design of the new Liberty frame, the new fork geometry, the implementation of a new front wheel - now 16 inches in diameter - and then the selection of the materials for the chassis and the highest possible quality components. The Piaggio Liberty frame, completely new, is a sturdy single cradle structure in tubular steel with pressed sheet metal elements. The new torsional rigidity (+15%) and longitudinal bending (increased by 17%) mean decidedly better handling and riding stability for the user, worthy of vehicles in a superior class, with a feeling of absolute control over the vehicle. On the front end a hydraulic telescopic fork operates with renewed geometry, whereas a double arm connects the engine crankcase to the frame at the rear, guaranteeing optimum damping of the engine's alternating forces. A single, dual-action shock absorber, adjustable in spring preload, allows the Liberty to adapt perfectly to the weight of the rider or rider and passenger.
Liberty has always been a prominent player in the “high wheel” scooter segment. Faithful to its philosophy of a lightweight and manoeuvrable, but also stable and safe vehicle, precisely because of the large wheels, it continues in this direction with an increase in front wheel diameter which goes from 15” to 16”, guaranteeing even better stability at faster speeds. Both rims are characterised by their attractive seven split spoke design at the centre and are made from aluminium alloy. The rear 14” rim mounts a generous tyre which, compared with the previous version, has grown to 100/80, ensuring grip and stability without compromising Piaggio Liberty's legendary agility. The ABS that equips Liberty 125 and 150 cc was developed by Piaggio with Bosch, the largest automotive parts manufacturer in the world. The electronic braking control system prevents the front wheel from locking up in the event of sudden stops or on slippery surfaces, another important step forward in the vehicle's active safety. The braking system, even on the 50 cc version, is made up of a 240 mm front disc, gripped by a Nissin calliper and a reliable and tireless 140 mm rear drum with improved transmission and efficiency.
Where safety is concerned, nothing was left to chance: the new Piaggio Liberty has high quality parts such as the double gas cable that always guarantees the possibility of mechanically closing the throttle body, the tilt sensor which switches off the engine immediately in the event of a fall and the sensor that prevents riding with the side stand down. Seeing and being seen are fundamental when riding on two wheels. Contributing to the active safety that the new Piaggio Liberty guarantees are the new front LED lights that make the scooter highly visible during the day and at night.
STYLE: ITALIAN ELEGANCE, NEW ERGONOMICS AND MAXIMUM FUNCTIONALITY
Piaggio New Liberty - Action
Piaggio Liberty, in its various versions over the years, has always been an icon which has contributed to creating the high wheel scooter phenomenon. A perfect representation of Italian style and elegance, it has set itself apart in a segment where beauty is often sacrificed for functionality, successfully combining practicality and elegance. The new Liberty embodies and advances all of the style that has characterised its heritage, beginning from a basic harmonic and fluid design that emphasises characteristics such as handling and practicality, combined with a precious Italian style. The new generation of Piaggio Liberty immediately exudes a sensation of quality and sturdiness and it does it being more dynamic, larger and more comfortable, but without straying from that original spirit that made it so successful. Its proportions have not be revolutionised and great attention was given to the overall ergonomics of the vehicle, placing the rider (whether male or female) at the centre of the project in every phase of development.
The front shield becomes even more protective without sacrificing the vertical aesthetic element which has become a characteristic of all Piaggio production, thanks to which the family feeling of the Italian manufacturer is completed and it thereby acquires an even stronger formal sense of belonging.
The new front expresses a richer and more technological image. In the 125 and 150 cc versions the daylight running lights are now LED and, taking advantage of light guide technology, they work together with the main headlight source placed on the handlebar, characterising Liberty and making it as recognisable in the dark as it is during the day. The handlebar is also completely new. To correspond with the new headlight unit on the front, there are new controls on the rear, more complete for easy control of all the new features which are displayed and managed on the new on board panel.
The new instrumentation is a definite leap forward compared with the previous Liberty version. No longer mechanical, but electronic now, it integrates the elegant traditional reading with the presence of a modern LCD display that has button controls on the right side of the handlebar and provides all the information you need to manage the vehicle.
In the leg shield back plate, thanks to the battery being moved, space is practically doubled for the glove-box which goes from 2 litres on the previous Liberty to almost 4 on the new model. As optional equipment the space is installation-ready for a convenient USB socket to recharge your smartphone. The entire structure of the convenient glove-box is created with great attention both to material selection and treatment. The result is high quality which is immediately clear simply by opening and closing the compartment. The storage space for cargo or helmet storage in the compartment under the seat also increases from 12.5 to 17 litres, 30% more than before. Greater on board comfort was the factor that guided design and development of the new Piaggio Liberty. The central part of the vehicle is now more comfortable and the footboard more convenient, both for the rider's feet and, thanks to the foldaway footpegs, the passenger's as well. The saddle, completely remodelled and particularly large, has been lengthened for greater comfort even when riding two-up. It is covered in high quality look “eco leather” and enhanced by stitching that highlights its sinuous shape. At the base of the seat an innovative chromium element enhances aesthetics with a purely decorative function, slimming down the rear part of Liberty, but including a groove which makes it easier to open and close. A wireless remote control built into the key with a “bike finder” is available as optional equipment that activates the turn indicators. This is a convenient device to help you locate your vehicle in a crowded car park. The tail of the vehicle takes on a more important presence in the overall image of the new Liberty. The increased cargo capacity meant increasing dimensions without interfering with its stylistic purity. The shape of the rear, smooth and harmonious, ends with a completely revamped light cluster. The surfaces of the tail, sculpted and modelled, blend with the Liberty's side elements, in other words, the guards that protect one of the most exposed parts of the body from impact. These elements are coordinated with the ones that protect the front shield and they include elegant chromium elements.
The new Piaggio Liberty comes in two configurations: the classic standard and the more sporty S.The Standard version is an interpretation of the classic and elegant spirit that has always characterised Liberty, naturally dedicated to the more mature rider. It comes in classic Bianco Perla and Blu Midnight, as well as the new Marrone Etna colour scheme. Piaggio Liberty S stands out for its bold colour schemes (Rosso Ibis and Grigio Titanio Opaco). Thanks to the dedicated graphics and details such as black wheel rims with polished channel and the red stitching on the saddle, the S package is intended for younger and more dynamic riders.
ACCESSORIES: A COMPLETE
TECHNOLOGICAL AND
EXCLUSIVE RANGE
The new generation of Piaggio Liberty is accompanied by a range of accessories worthy of a best-seller and, just like the vehicle, completely revamped in light of the new quality standards, new technologies and increasingly advanced needs of metropolitan riders. The range designed and developed for Liberty is not “only” the widest available for a scooter in its class, but it is also the most innovative. For Liberty, Piaggio Group's technology expresses a range of highly technological accessories, a true exclusive for a scooter in this category. Electronic antitheft system - The most compact in its category, characterised by the lowest power consumption available on the market. It is self powered and therefore does not depend on the vehicle battery. Bike finder – A system for quick vehicle identification, particularly useful in crowded car parks, it also functions as a wireless remote control to open the helmet compartment. Piaggio Multimedia Platform (PMP) – This is the multimedia system developed by Piaggio that lets Liberty dialogue with your smartphone, displaying all of the trip information and scooter performance information on the screen through a free APP with a clear and user friendly graphic interface.
Piaggio Sound System (PSS) – The Liberty itself becomes a multimedia system capable of communicating with various devices via Bluetooth to play sounds and music or to send voice commands to digital multimedia devices.
For the new Liberty a full catalogue of classic accessories is not lacking. Windshield – Made in 4 mm impact and crack resistant methacrylate, it has built in handguards and an elegant black cover for the mounting rods. Top fairing - Piaggio tested and approved, it provides protection and enhances the lines of the Liberty's front end. Made in impact resistant methacrylate, it adopts black covers for the rods, a contribution to style and a decidedly elegant accessory. Top box - The impressive 30 litres capacity means that it can hold a flip up helmet to make this classic accessory extremely useful. On the new Liberty it is available in two versions: top box with embossed finishing and top box painted to match the vehicle body. Both have an internal mat and are installation-ready for the backrest upholstered in the same material as the saddle.
Saddle-handlebar mechanical antitheft system – Extremely simple and effective, it “binds” the handlebar to the vehicle thanks to a sturdy fastening system locked to the body. Vehicle cover – For outdoor vehicle storage, made in water resistant material. Leg cover – Designed specifically for the new Liberty it fastens perfectly, thanks in part to the anti flapping system that guarantees maximum protection. It has a steel cable antitheft system and a waterproof saddle cover. Side stand – Complete with safety sensor to prevent starting with it down. Rubber mat – Perfectly adaptable to the Liberty footboard, it is made in anti-slip material and enhanced by chromium finishing.
FULLY LOADED AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, THAT COMBINES THE BENEFITS OF A LIGHTWEIGHT HIGH WHEEL WITH THE COMFORT AND FEATURES OF A SUPERIOR CLASS SCOOTER. IS POWERED BY THE NEW iGET 125 AND 150 CC ENGINES, ELECTRONICALLY FUEL INJECTED, LIQUID COOLED AND WITH 4 VALVE TIMING. A NEW FAMILY OF SINGLE CYLINDER ENGINES THAT RAISES THE BAR IN TERMS OF QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND EMISSIONS CONTAINMENT. START & STOP, ABS, “LIGHT GUIDE” TECHNOLOGY, RECORD CARGO CAPACITY: PIAGGIO MEDLY WAS BORN TO BE A LEADER, EMBODYING THE VALUES OF QUALITY, STYLE AND TECHNOLOGY
Piaggio Medley - official video
The agility of a metropolitan vehicle combined with the dynamic character of a high wheel and the convenience and cargo capacity of a large GT scooter GT resulted in the Medley, the new Piaggio that combines ultra-modern values of rationality, technology and style. Medley blends practicality, technical innovation and beauty in the purest Italian style, fully comprehending the continuously evolving needs of a public in search of mobility solutions that go beyond the usual scooter formula. With Medley nothing is sacrificed.
Piaggio Medley skilfully combines the benefits of a chassis characterised by large diameter wheels, which guarantee superior rideability and road holding compared with smaller wheeled scooters, and the rationality of a classic scooter, its protection, its cargo capacity, the comfort of its large saddle when riding two-up. The high wheel scooter has been very successful, divided up into lightweight and manoeuvrable vehicles characterised by an easy ride and economic operating costs, and more important vehicles with qualities such as sturdiness and performance. Piaggio, the European leader among major global scooter manufacturers, a company with a unique heritage as the creator of new forms of light mobility, has been a protagonist in the high wheel segment with both easy and lightweight scooters such as the Liberty, as well as with scooters that have spectacular performance and exclusive technical features such as the Beverly range.
Medley achieves the goal of creating a new class of Piaggio high wheel scooter that combines the benefits of an agile and lightweight scooter with those of a larger and higher performance high wheel. Coming standard with the “Start & Stop” feature which, by managing engine switch-off and start-up during stops, contributes to containing fuel consumption and emissions as well as two-channel ABS, Piaggio Medley therefore boasts an equipment package that is normally reserved for superior class scooters. Two 4-stroke engines are available - 125 and 150 cc - both liquid cooled with 4 valve timing and electronic fuel injection. These are engines designed and developed by Piaggio which boasts a scooter engine research and development centre, one of the most advanced in the world.
FRAME AND CHASSIS: STURDY, EASY TO RIDE AND LIGHTWEIGHT.The bearing structure of the Piaggio Medley is based on a new “low cradle” type frame made of steel tubing reinforced with pressed steel that contributes to its overall sturdiness.The front end is characterised by a fork with 33 mm stanchions in diameter, whereas a pair of double acting shock absorbers and coil springs with preload adjustable to 5 positions work at the rear axle. Thanks to this configuration, to the large wheel rims (16” on the front and 14” on the rear) made of aluminium alloy with an elegant six split spoke design and the tyres (100/80 front and 110/80 rear), Piaggio Medley guarantees riding comfort, road holding and stability worthy of higher class vehicles, while the contained weight, 138 kg kerb weight, allows the rider to maintain all the agility and manoeuvrability that are the strong points of lightweight scooters.The powerful braking system handles active safety - made up of two 260 and 240 mm disc units with double piston floating callipers - with ABS as standard equipment. Each wheel has a sensor and a tone wheel to detect revolutions which instantly reads the speed and deceleration of the wheel with respect to that of the vehicle. The sensors dialogue with a 2-channel hydraulic control unit which activates the ABS system if one of the two wheels decelerates abruptly with respect to the vehicle, avoiding locking and ensuring stability and efficient braking even on road surfaces with a low friction coefficient.
PRACTICAL, DYNAMIC, LIGHTWEIGHT AND STYLISH. As occurs in the automotive field, in the two wheel sector the combination of different vehicle architectures also leads to the birth of new lightweight mobility formulas.
Inspired by the important, modern and elegant lines of the bigger sibling Beverly, the new Piaggio Medley introduces concepts of light weight and dynamism that are ideal for city use of the vehicle.
Piaggio Medley - Still Life
The 16” front wheel gives the vehicle stability, safety and comfort, vertically streamlining the entire front end. The wheel rims are aluminium and boast an elegant six split spoke design. The front shield has a spacious glove compartment that can be easily accessed from the rider's seating position. The front view stands out from the classic high wheel scooter look. The surfaces are more extended, all to the advantage of aerodynamic protection and therefore riding comfort, although Medley maintains a clear lightweight look which, combined with the most classic Piaggio style re-interpreted in a modern key, gives the vehicle a unique and distinctive personality.
The metallic vertical element (the “tie”) stands out in the centre of the front shield, thereby accentuating a certain family feeling with recent Piaggio production. Also, the innovative daylight running lights - which include light guides that are illuminated by fine white LEDs - and the main headlight that are adopted become true somatic distinctive traits.
The handlebar, shaped to guarantee protection of the rider, houses a refined instrument cluster with a chromium frame. The digital display makes all the necessary information available, while the complete arrangement of warning lights keeps tabs on all the functions, starting with the “Start & Stop” feature and then moving along with the classic “injection check”, oil pressure, ABS and Immobilizer activation indicators.
The saddle, large and comfortable even on the passenger section, has an electric opening latch controlled from a button on the handlebar as well as the traditional mechanical latch located in the leg shield back plate glove compartment. The style of the glove compartment is coordinated with the rear part of the handlebar and the saddle, recreating an area similar to a car dashboard. Along the entire body of the Medley the alternating concave and convex surfaces, guided by decisive and arched lines, gives the vehicle a dynamic, but compact look. A rear light cluster with daylight running lights achieved with light guides illuminated by red LEDs brings the shape of the vehicle to an original end. In night riding conditions also, as with the front daylight running lights, the guided light in classic Piaggio style makes the vehicle unique and recognisable. The rear end, particularly sleek, maintains contained dimensions despite the large helmet compartment with an amazing 36.2 litres of space, enough to hold a flip up helmet and a full jet, truly exceptional for a high wheel. This result is obtained thanks to the well designed shape of the tail and the repositioning of the fuel tank at the centre of the footboard. It is a solution that increased cargo capacity in the helmet compartment, providing further benefits such as the possibility of refuelling without dismounting and better rideability on the road because of the improved weight distribution, now more centralised.
ENGINES: THE NEW PIAGGIO iGET GENERATION. Piaggio Group motoring technology has always aimed to create increasingly more advanced powerplants in terms of low fuel consumption and emissions (including noise), as well as increasing service intervals. Armed with the most important engine and scooter research and development centre in Europe, and one of the best in the world, Piaggio has developed unique technologies and skills in house that contribute to the construction of engines today which are in line with the strictest standards in the world.
On Piaggio Medley a new family of engines called iGet make their first appearance, introduced here in the 125 and 150 cc engine capacities and in the more refined version equipped with the “Start & Stop” system, electronic fuel injection, four valve timing and liquid cooling. These are engines at the top of their respective categories in terms of performance and environmental friendliness, approved in compliance with the Euro 4 standard. The new Piaggio iGet powerplants are the result of a design philosophy that sets new and more advanced quality and reliability levels as its primary objectives. Every aspect of the design was aimed at optimising the efficiency of each individual part in order to contribute to maximising performance. In the initial testing phases alone more than one million kilometres were logged in the intense search for reliability. Each and every one of the new engines' components, from the exhaust to the internal design of the gearbox cover, all the way to the new air filter, has been designed to make the ride smoother, quieter and more comfortable, and to increase the life of the engine.
A large portion of the Piaggio technical work had to do with the maniacal attention to reducing friction through the introduction of bearings on every rotating part, in the timing and in the crank gear geometry, with the cylinder axis shifted to minimise losses due to friction on the piston. The mechanical noise of the new iGet engines is also extremely low thanks to a reduction in play and an optimisation of the materials and shapes.
There are many completely new engine parts on the Medley:
thermodynamics (head, cylinder, piston, rocker timing with rollers); also, all of the parts in motion have been optimised to reduce weight and operating friction.
the crankshaft, for a clear reduction in vibrations;
starter: no longer the classic gear drive starter motor, but now an electric “direct mount” type “brushless” motor on the crankshaft. The result is the total absence of friction in order to obtain a quiet, durable and reliable starter.
cooling system, with radiator built into the engine: this reduced the overall weight of the vehicle and the warm-up times (thermal management), with clear benefits in terms of consumption and emissions.
the gearbox cover, to reduce the noise even more.
the latest generation double toothed belt to minimise passive losses, once again all to the advantage of consumption and emissions.
the gearbox setting that improves rideability, performance and consumption.
the air filter, which improves filtering action to reduce intake noise.
new built-in engine electronic control unit with the S&S management part (Alternator, S&S Inverter, RISS), entirely developed by Piaggio.
The eighth-litre version is credited with power of 9 kW at 8,250 rpm, whereas the quick 150 cc puts out 11 kW at 7,750 rpm. These are numbers that translate into quick engines on the road, specifically designed and built bearing in mind the needs of the rider for daily use in city and metropolitan environments. These are riding conditions characterised by frequent starts and stops which require elasticity, quick acceleration and a smooth ride. These characteristics are ensured by excellent torque (11.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm for the 125 cc and 14.4 Nm at 6,400 rpm for the 150 cc) which provide Medley with excellent acceleration both from a stop and in motion, partially to the credit of the truly low overall weight. Overall fuel consumption benefits from the optimisation of each and every component: mileage on the WMTC cycle reaches 47.5 km/l for the Medley 125 cc and 45.9 km/l for the 150 cc.
A COMPLETE RANGE
OF ACCESSORIES
The line of accessories for Piaggio Medley is born under the sign of technology at the service of functionality. It is a complete line of accessories designed for the Piaggio Medley, which increase comfort and potential uses. The lines, materials and refinement of the windshield give the new Piaggio scooter the best possible protection against the weather, also accentuating the elegance of its shape. The smaller top fairing highlights the spirit and sporty character of the Medley. Great attention was given to cargo capacity. To match the spacious helmet compartment, Piaggio offers the classic 30 litres top box and the brand new 37 litres top box that further extends the maximum cargo capacity. Both of the top boxes are naturally available colour coded to match the vehicle. Ideal for those who take rather long and frequent trips, the comfort saddle supports your weight softly and stably, especially in combination with the anti-slip mat. The dedicated leg cover is the ideal completion for those who ride year round. On the other hand, for those who do not use the scooter in the winter, a waterproof vehicle cover is available, dedicated and personalised with the logo, which has specific openings for the windshield and the optional top box. The line of accessories does not neglect the theme of vehicle security: the mechanical saddle-handlebar anti-theft system available for Medley is convenient and simple to use. The innovative electronic anti-theft system, which is self powered and characterised by the lowest power absorption on the market, adds the immobilizer deterrent and a powerful siren to combat any attempt at tampering. On Medley you can have several technologically advanced systems installed simultaneously such as the bike finder (to quickly locate your vehicle in a crowded area send commands from the saddle opening remote control), the Piaggio Multimedia Platform (which provides all of your trip and vehicle operating status information by communicating with your smartphone, as well as providing a convenient geo-localisation system that helps you find the scooter in the most chaotic areas of the city) and the Piaggio Sound System (sound system that plays back information, trip directions and music by using the vehicle body as a speaker). No other vehicle currently on the market can be equipped with the same technological features guaranteed by the Piaggio Accessories range.
PIAGGIO INVENTS A NEW WAY TO MEET THE MOST ADVANCED MOBILITY NEEDS. E-BIKE GOES WELL BEYOND THE CONCEPT OF AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE, PROVIDING INNOVATIVE FUNCTIONS AND NEW LEVELS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN CYCLIST, MECHANICAL VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Piaggio Wi-Bike - the new way to B
For almost seventy years Piaggio Group has been a worldwide leader in development, production and sales of newer and newer forms of mobility. The search for solutions that combine freedom and the simplicity of travel with quality of life and respect for the environment is a mission that the Piaggio Group has always pursued. Founded on research and technological innovation, the Piaggio Group's hold on the number one spot has been strengthened over the decades in products which have favoured the freedom of entire generations and revolutionised the concept of mobility itself several times, creating not only new means of transportation but inventing lifestyles, because mobility is always synonymous with freedom. The Vespa legend which was born in the post war era, the most agile and lightweight mopeds of the '60s and '70s, and then electric, bimodal vehicles and finally hybrid engines – the only one of its kind in the scooter world – are milestones in a cultural and technological leadership that has always characterised Piaggio Group's vocation for innovation, with the earliest electric vehicle actually dating back to 1975.
Out of this unique heritage of style and technology, the Piaggio Wi-Bike is born, a completely new vehicle that meets the most advanced needs and the most modern mobility trends. Piaggio Wi-Bike goes beyond the concept of an assisted-pedal bicycle and approaches the market as a vehicle that interprets the most progressive mobility needs at 360 degrees, no longer intended simply as the ability to move about, but also as the presence and sharing of information over the most modern network and interaction forms with your vehicle. Thanks to PMP (Piaggio Multimedia Platform) technology, the Wi-Bike has an ultra advanced man-mechanical vehicle interface and guarantees constant data sharing with the world, giving you with the opportunity to interact from any location and with any environment in its physical, social and experience dimension.
A MADE IN PIAGGIO ELECTRIC HEART.The heart of the Piaggio Wi-Bike is a 250W-350W electric power unit with 50 Nm of torque entirely designed, developed and built by the Piaggio Group. It is an ultra modern and extremely compact motor with a shape designed for perfect insertion in the elegant aesthetics of the frame. In fact, its axial-symmetric shape, in other words, designed around the pedal axle, allows it to include the entire electric motor hidden behind the sprocket in order to greatly reduce the aesthetic impact.
But it is the entire powertrain (the motor, battery and control display assembly) of the Piaggio Wi-Bike that stands out for the technology it uses and for the functions it provides. Advanced algorithms developed by Piaggio guarantee an innovative control of the electric machine, all to the advantage of reliability.
Piaggio Wi-Bike - Still Life
The latest generation display is “contactless” and automatically powered, near the control unit, thanks to NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. The USB connection serves the dual function of being a smartphone charger and software update port. Diagnostics are also possible via smartphone by the rider, whereas for the service centre operations are possible via tablet – thanks once again to Bluetooth technology – for a more complete check.
The Piaggio Wi-Bike, thanks to its technology, also stands out for its high level of safety: the dashboard control unit, batteries and electric motor are connected unequivocally and therefore the three units can operate only if connected and communicating with one another. For example, removing the display (which operates as a electronic key) when parking renders the Wi-Bike effectively unusable.
A GPS/GSM module is housed in the battery which functions both as a satellite anti-theft device and a data transmission element from/for the battery. If the system detects a theft attempt of the vehicle, an alert is sent immediately via the dedicated app and the vehicle's position is tracked on the map. You can also check on the charge status with a smartphone and receive the alert notice on your device in the event of a poor charge, for example after a long period of disuse. The 400 Wh ion and lithium battery is elegantly housed under the saddle in correspondence to the vertical pipe and provides particularly long range, on average between 60 and 120 kilometres depending on the operating mode and conditions. Complete recharge time is just over 3 hours. The battery guarantees the highest possible level of safety and it is completely waterproof (IP 65).
The Piaggio Wi-Bike uses a belt drive combined with an advanced continuous variation automatic transmission, electronically assisted to always ensure the best possible ratio between an almost infinite choice of combination. This is technology that takes advantage of the Piaggio Group's extensive technical experience with this type of transmission.
Completing the range of available drives are a continuous variation belt drive which allows you to select the ideal ratio, shifting smoothly, and a traditional high quality, 9 speed chain final drive. As a tribute to active safety the powerful braking system is made up of two 180 mm discs on the front and 160 mm on the rear, gripped by hydraulic callipers.
CONNECTED TO THE WORLD.Thanks to the PMP (Piaggio Multimedia Platform) technology, your smartphone integrates functionally with the Wi-Bike via Bluetooth. In fact, the app developed by Piaggio specifically for the Wi-Bike allows new features to be developed constantly. From the fine tuning of "classic" services such as navigation up to more advanced control of the powertrain operating modes over and above the base settings.
In fact, conventional electrically pedal-assisted bicycles offer a limited and determined number of pedal assistance level settings with a contribution from the motor that always stays proportional to the energy applied by the cyclist once the operating mode is selected. The Wi-Bike, thanks to the exclusive DEAtechnology (Dynamic Engine Assistance), allows the user to program the assistance level provided by the electric motor at a percentage that is always variable in ratio to the power provided by the cyclist.
Thanks to the possibility of varying the motor contribution, Piaggio Wi-Bike is a true fitness machine where the cyclist can set his or her physical effort (for example, 100W of effort and a determined frequency of pedalling) leaving the motor free to increase or decrease its contribution based on the altimetric variations in order to comply with the set parameters which are consistent with the training program that the rider wants to achieve.
Also, through the app you will be able to select predefined power output modes throughout the arc of use, real “motor mappings”.
STANDARD, the motor develops power proportional to the effort detected on the pedals.
CITY, a boost of power at every start. To get off the line ahead of the rest effortlessly in “Stop & Go” city traffic.
HILL, the motor adapts to the slope of the road surface, developing more power uphill and less on downhill or flat sections.
Each of these motor maps can be set to ten different assist levels for efficient battery use. The PMP system, which can be controlled through your smartphone's screen and by buttons on the handlebar, is the base for virtually unlimited function developments. The potential uses PMP offers cover the entire range of data management: it goes from use information to functions connected to fitness and allows users to use the Piaggio Wi-Bike as a training tool in order to monitor health information and to achieve goals in terms of heart rate or calorie burning. Connectivity between the bike electronics and heart rate monitors, for example, allows you to manage the electric motor power output based on a heart rate range goal (the lower this is the more the assistance provided by the motor will be). This way an athlete can carry out his or her training programme and manage his or her frequency on the route. In commuting, on the other hand, you can choose not to exceed a maximum heart rate threshold for health reasons, or simply to keep from becoming overheated on your way to work. Wi-Bike also means “community”: at the end of each training session or simply on completing your ride, you can share the data related to the experience you've just had with your friend on the most common social networks.
PURE ITALIAN DESIGN. The elegantly sport design that sets Wi-Bike apart is the result of the Piaggio style centre which worked to combine the best and most distinctive Italian design with functionality and operating convenience. Modern style, refined solutions and simplicity are the keywords that inspired the Piaggio Group designers in their work. The result comes together in a frame made entirely in aluminium with a clearly sport look that mounts a shock absorbed fork, also made in aluminium and which is available in various versions of Piaggio Wi-Bike starting from the classic male and unisex duo.
From a stylistic point of view the challenge of seamlessly inserting the powertrain parts (electric motor, transmission and battery) into the frame was particularly successful, leaving the bicycle's lines rationally clean and undisturbed.
In fact, the motor, designed around the pedal axle, remains hidden by the sprocket, whereas the battery, housed under the saddle on the horizontal pipe, can be easily removed. And so the Piaggio Wi-Bike's attention to simplicity and user-friendliness substantiates in shapes which have been conceived with functionality in mind and as a tribute to the elegance of Italian design.
FOUR EQUIPMENT PACKAGES AVAILABLE. Piaggio Wi-Bike is available with four different equipment packages.
COMFORT: this is the entry level vehicle in the Piaggio Wi-Bike range; the easiest and most accessible for any user and available in the frame version without the top crossbar to facilitate getting on. It comes standard with a telescopic fork, comfort seat, adjustable handlebar connection and ergonomic hand grips. It is available in three different frame sizes to adapt perfectly to any body type. Two drive options: traditional mechanical or with manual operated variator.
COMFORT PLUS: compared to Comfort this is a superior package which includes genuine leather ergonomic seat and hand grips, as well as some classy details such as a different type of tyres. Two drive options: manual operator variator or electronic control. It is available in the unisex version (frame without top crossbar and in three different sizes: S, M and L) and in the men's version (frame with top crossbar and two different sizes: M and L).
ACTIVE: this is the Piaggio Wi-Bike version in a sportier design. The frame is available in the men's version (frame with top crossbar) in two different sizes (M and L). Active stands out for its drive with three operating options: traditional mechanical, manual operated variator and electronic control variator.
ACTIVE PLUS: the sportiest version stands out for its dedicated graphic variations and the equipment package which also includes precious leather seat and hand grips. The frame is available in the men's version (frame with top crossbar) in two different sizes (M and L). Two different options for the drive manual operator variator or electronic control.
A complete range of options to enhance your Wi-Bike according to your preferences and needs, thanks to the wide offer of dedicated accessories: superlative quality, design and attention to detail.
Product
EICMA 2015 SPECIAL REPORT
BEVERLY BY POLICE:
A STYLISH CO-BRANDING
UNION OF TWO OUTSTANDING "MADE IN ITALY" BRANDS PRODUCES BOLD NEW SCOOTER WITH MARKEDLY METROPOLITAN SPIRIT, IN A BOLD MATTE BLACK DESIGN
The new Beverly 300 by Police is the result of two outstanding "Made in Italy" brands: Police, a lifestyle brand that is famous the world over, and the Piaggio Group, an eminent European manufacturer that occupies a leading position in the scooter sector. The union of these two style and technology icons has produced a scooter that combines the bold and brave spirit of Police, which has always been characterised by a remarkable metropolitan vitality, and the technology of Beverly, the high-wheel scooter the 300 cc model of which offers ultimate performance.
Beverly 300 by Police is being launched on the European market in a bold matte black design with brightly coloured detailing and blued mirrors, just like the lenses of the Police sunglasses that have come to represent an entire generation. The "street look" of the Beverly by Police can be completed with a matching helmet that complements the image of the scooter perfectly.
The Piaggio Beverly has revolutionised the market with its talent for agility, reliability and safety. Its spectacular performance has enabled it to soar straight to the top of the prestigious and highly competitive high-wheel scooter sector.
The Piaggio Beverly has reinvented itself numerous times over the years and is highly sought after for city tours thanks to the comfort and reliability it demonstrates in short- and medium-distance tourist trips.
The 300 cc single-cylinder 4-stroke 4-valve engine with electronic injection delivers a maximum power of 22.2 hp at 7,250rpm, with a maximum torque output of 23 Nm at just 5,750 rpm. In addition to such an impressive specification, the Beverly comes with a throttle response to match, coupled with outstanding performance, making it ideal both for tackling congested urban traffic and for long-distance touring in ultimate comfort, whether riding solo or two-up.
Active in eyewear industry since the 1980's, Police now offers a wide range of goods in numerous different product categories, all of which boast an unmistakable and quintessentially urban on the road character. This co-branding venture represents the next logical step in the brand's growth: Having already lent its name to fragrances, watches, jewellery and small leather goods, it is redefining its natural habitat and becoming a scooter that is ready to take on the streets all around the world. Police has been a fashion phenomenon right from the outset thanks in no small part to the figures chosen to lead iconic advertising campaigns that have come to define an era (Bruce Willis, George Clooney, David Beckham, Antonio Banderas), making the brand synonymous with an aspirational lifestyle. Brazilian attacker and striker Neymar Jr is currently in his third consecutive year of being the face of Police.
Product
MORE PERFORMANCE, LESS CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS
PIAGGIO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES:
NEW PIAGGIO PORTER 2016 RANGE
NEW EURO 6 MULTITECH ENGINE IN THREE DIFFERENT FUEL SOLUTIONS. COMPACT DIMENSIONS AND EXCELLENT MANOEUVRABILITY, LARGE CARGO CAPACITY, NEW PACKAGES WITH ABS AND ESC AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Lower harmful emissions, reduced fuel consumption and increased performance. This is the calling card of the new 2016 Piaggio Porter range introduced by Piaggio Commercial Vehicles, the Piaggio Group division specialised in three and four wheeled vehicles with gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 tonnes. The 2016 versions of the two Piaggio commercial vehicles, Porter and Porter Maxxi, are full of technological and engine innovations and become higher performance, environmentally friendly and more fuel economical: in fact, thanks to the new Euro 6 MultiTech petrol engine they have increased performance and decreased harmful emissions and fuel consumption.
NEW EURO 6 MULTITECH ENGINE. The MultiTech engine that now powers the Piaggio Porter is a completely new unit, a 1,299 cc dual camshaft four cylinder engine with a 16 valve chain driven valve train available in three different fuel solutions: petrol (already available through the Piaggio Commercial Vehicles European dealership network), bi-fuel Eco-Power (petrol+GPL, available from January) and bi-fuel Green-Power (petrol+methane, available from March 2016).
The 2016 Piaggio Porter range still includes the Porter Electric Power version as well, the green vehicle par excellence, 100% electric and “zero emissions” which was first introduced on the market in 1995, the most commonly used model of its category in Europe.
IDEAL FOR INTRA-CITY TRANSPORTATION. The combination of the extraordinary handling (Porter has a steering radius of just 4 metres compared to the market average of 5.4 m), the new engines, the exceptional versatility of the equipment packages, the new safety and comfort characteristics and the extraordinary dimensions/payload ratio confirm the new Piaggio Porter versions as the ideal vehicles for intra-city transportation and ensure a wide range of selections to meet any mobility needs. The Porter Maxxi version, thanks to its reinforced frame and dual rear wheels, can carry up to 1,200 Kg of payload with a gross vehicle weight of just 2,200 Kg, a record ratio for its category.
MANY VERSIONS FOR EVERY NEED. The Piaggio Porter 2016 range also boasts versatility as one of its strong points: Porter 2016 is available in versions with fixed deck, long tipper bed and short tipper bed, all with an all-flat load bed with two dropsides and a hinged tailboard to facilitate loading and unloading, panel and window van (designed for urban cargo and people transportation). Furthermore, the chassis version lets you create an almost infinite range of special equipment packages, designed both for the private sector (for example, isothermic cells, insulated boxes, three-sided tippers) and the public sector (i.e. waste skip collection, aerial platform and fire service and local police).
EQUIPMENT, SAFETY, COLOURS. The new Euro 6 Porter and Porter Maxxi also have painstakingly crafted trim and even more complete equipment packages, including ignition key with built-in immobiliser, new fabric upholstery for the seats and side door panels, more ergonomic opening handles, electronic power steering (EPS), a new instrumentation graphic and external rear view mirror frames, a predisposed wiring harness for the sound system and for a satellite navigation system as well as athermic glazing windows, which ensure more effective heat insulation for the cab.
In terms of safety, the new Piaggio Porter 2016 commercial vehicles come standard with ABS and ESC (which respectively control the wheels locking up during braking and loss of traction in turns), and EBD (the system that distributes the braking action, detecting the exact grip available at each wheel).
The prices of the new Piaggio Porter 2016 range start from 12,688 Euro (Piaggio Porter 1.5 ton Multitech petrol version -ex-works, VAT and transportation not included). The new Porter and Porter Maxxi models are available in five colour schemes: Blue Action, White Silk, Red Sprint and Orange, as well as the new Azure Bay colour scheme.
THE PIAGGIO GROUP AT EICMA 2015:
“A FORWARD-LOOKING MULTINATIONAL”
The Piaggio Group was present at EICMA 2015, the 73rd World Motorcycling Exhibition (19-22 November, Fiera Milano-Rho), with a series of extraordinary new products from Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Vespa and Piaggio, as well as a rich collection of accessories.
Piaggio Group at Eicma 2015
At the most important event in the international motorcycle industry’s calendar, the protagonists on the large Piaggio Group stand (inspired by the Motoplex concept store) were the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands: the former an emblem of cutting-edge technology and sporting passion, the latter a symbol of Italy’s great motorcycling style and traditions with an unrivalled 95-year history (the anniversary of the Eagle brand will be celebrated next year in Mandello del Lario). There were many new products to admire too: the Vespa with a livery to mark its 70th anniversary (which falls in 2016), together with the widely publicised 946 Emporio Armani; Piaggio with the new generation of Liberty scooters and a brand new product, the Medley, as well as the widely admired standard version of the advanced, hyper-connected Piaggio Wi-Bike.
PRESS CONFERENCE. ROBERTO COLANINNO: “A GROUP THAT IS EVOLVING IN RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE.” The Piaggio Group’s eagerly awaited press conference was held on 17 November, with Chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno offering a picture of a constantly evolving, forward-looking multinational, and outlining its strategies in response to the rapid pace of change in world mobility. He was joined on the stage by journalist and TV presenter Fabio Caressa, who coordinated a compelling event with a distinct television style (for Sky, Caressa is working on a program on the world of custom motorbike builders). Here are the highlights from the 2015 exhibition, in the Group’s 130th year of activity (a full article in the Anniversary column).
MOTOPLEX: THE HOME OF THE PIAGGIO GROUP BRANDS.The first two concept stores was born in 2014, in Mantua and Milan, followed this year by new openings around the world (New York, Shanghai, Beijing, Pune): the Motoplex stores are tributes to the Group brands and their worlds of products, accessories and entertainment. “These stores are like boutiques,” said the chairman and CEO, “a new way to sell scooter and motorcycle products, which used to be associated with the romantic idea of the salesman in oil-smeared overalls in oil-impregnated surroundings… Today the world has changed: customers already know what they want to buy, they’ve already decided, and when they come in they know more than the salesman; they want stylish, good-looking, efficient products, sold in welcoming locations that reflect this atmosphere …”. So the Motoplex stores, boutiques in a city lounge format, are places where customers can enjoy a unique purchasing experience (including technical assistance), where they can return, meet up with friends, shop for branded accessories, find out about new products and compare notes on the fascinating world of two-wheelers.
PIAGGIO FAST FORWARD: IDEAS AND VISIONS.Talking about the future, chairman Roberto Colaninno mentioned the extraordinary initiative set up by the Piaggio Group a few months ago and launched on 2 October in Milan with the event “The shape of things to come” (features in Wide issue 5-2015).
PFF Manifesto
“PFF developed from an idea of mine,” said Colaninno. “This is a time of enormous change, which will affect our lives in the future; think of a metropolis like Shanghai: in 30-40 years, it will have 80 million inhabitants, Hong Kong 40 million, and then the Turin, Milan, Bergamo area…” What will our daily lives be like? And not just in terms of mobility? “I started talking about this with a few friends (including international “brains” specialising in various areas, such as Nicholas Negroponte, Doug Brent, Jeff Linnell, Jeffrey Schnapp, Gregg Lyn, Beth Altringer and Sasha Hoffmann who coordinate brilliant students at Harvard and the MIT, ed.). Together with these people, who have no ties with the world of engines, we decided to study means of transport for the future, hopefully to identify solutions to the difficulties created by change. With these ‘visionaries’, we have attracted the interest of leading US groups such as Google and Trimble, and other people keen to take part in idea laboratories and innovative projects.”
THE FUTURE TODAY: THE INNOVATIONS AT THE PIAGGIO GROUP.The new e-bike, motorcycles and scooters presented by the Piaggio Group at EICMA already are the “future”, based on great brands and industrial success stories (beginning with Moto Guzzi and Vespa, which have been successfully re-inventing themselves for decades and capturing the interest of entire generations). “We are proud of our brands and products,” said Roberto Colaninno. “We have two factories (Mandello del Lario and Pontedera, ed.) that have been making extraordinary products for decades, which are technological milestones in the mobility sector. The Vespa is an Italian product that I believe UNESCO should protect, because ideally it belongs to the world, and has been a source of joy, happiness and pleasure for almost 70 years. Its inventor (Corradino d’Ascanio, ed.) could not have imagined it would become the world’s most popular scooter, yesterday and today.” Today, Piaggio is a multinational organisation, added Colaninno: “We have production facilities in India, Vietnam, China and Italy, and branches and dealerships all over the world… The Group is shedding its skin… undertaking a re-organisation process, a new vision of the Piaggio system… It isn’t easy to understand the direction in which the various markets are evolving, how scooters and motorcycles should meet the needs of different markets; but it’s wrong to impose a product: you have to try and understand, it’s a great cultural exercise, and you have to be open-minded.”
BEAUTY ON A BICYCLE: FILIPPA LAGERBACK & PIAGGIO WI-BIKE.Next up on the stage was former Swedish model Filippa Lagerback (who also took part in a Vespa campaign), now a TV presenter and impassioned testimonial of an ecological lifestyle and the bicycle.
Filippa had the pleasant task of presenting the Piaggio e-bike, called Wi-Bike because “it has superpowers. This is a truly revolutionary product, the pedal-assisted electric bike is one of the means of transport of the future (and ideal for travelling the so-called ‘last mile’ in the city; it gives you zero emissions mobility and is good for your health). I can connect the Wi-Bike to my smartphone, choose the type of workout, how many calories I want to burn, post my training on the social networks; and with the GPS system and satellite anti-theft system, a text tells me in real time where to find the bike”. Filippa went on to describe the endless possibilities offered by a product that can hardly be called a bicycle: the Wi-Bike is nothing less than a personal trainer on two wheels. Visitors to EICMA were able to try it out in a special test area.
LIBERTY AND MEDLEY: MORE TECHNOLOGY, LESS CONSUMPTION.The new Liberty and Medley are the essence of our best technology, said chairman Colaninno, and designed to meet customer requirements: an innovative design philosophy, style and performance, safety (the Liberty is the only scooter with ABS on the Vietnamese market; the Medley holds two helmets below the seat), and reduced fuel consumption. “To be competitive on Asian markets, you have to qualify the product, it can’t just be low cost, just a question of price: it has to provide technology offering solutions for pollution (which has reached very high levels in Asia), noise and safety, three universal technical elements. All this with our Italian capacity to make stylish high-quality products: we believe that if we work hard, we can beat competitors who focus on price”. Filippa, a cycling addict (but also a keen Vespa rider), added: “I’m glad to hear you talking about eco-sustainability in connection with motorised two-wheelers.”
2016: WE’LL BE RACING IN MOTOGP.Fifty-four world titles make Aprilia one of the most successful names in motorcycle sports. Will they be enough? No: Aprilia wants to go on winning. It returned to MotoGP racing in 2015 and will be back on the circuit in 2016. Chairman Colaninno explained: “You have to be very careful, a passion for racing is not enough; you have to be calm and concentrate on technology development. In other words, you manage racing as a fundamental laboratory for live testing, on the racetrack, of technology – performance, safety, etc. – for subsequent transfer to the motorbikes customers will be riding on the road… This is why we decided to bring forward our return to MotoGP, with results that have not disappointed, which give us hope for 2016.” The emotion of a victorious Italian motorcycle (combining passion and technology made in Italy) is what the chairman wants and what every Aprilia fan dreams of.
Colaninno was then joined on the stage by the Aprilia MotoGp riders: Alvaro Bautista (“we improved in the second half of the season, 2015 was a useful year for collecting data, running tests and gaining experience; we’re wired up for 2016. The Aprilia RSV4 RF road bike is very powerful, a real top bike”); and Stefan Bradl (“in MotoGP we aim to be in the MotoGP top ten in 2016; I’m enthusiastic and happy with the project, the development of the engine for the next MotoGP has got off to a good start”.) They were flanked by the Superstock 1000 riders: the new world champion Lorenzo Savadori (“we are riding factory-derived bikes in the Superstock category, so everyone can experience the thrills of racing, and the RSV4 offers plenty of those”) and his teammate Kevin Calia, who was enthusiastic about the new entry for customers looking for sporty bikes: the “Factory Works” motorcycle with a top configuration of 230 hp, then he added: “The RSV4 is a complete bike, I know because I rode it for Aprilia in France, for a review comparing supersport bikes.” The V4 has come out top in many comparisons.
THE FUTURE MOTO GUZZI: A TAILOR-MADE FACTORY.Moto Guzzi: 95 years of activity, a religion for bikers all over the world, with its own “church”: the factory in Mandello del Lario where the Eagle motorcycles have always been built. Roberto Colaninno said: “We have a very original idea of Moto Guzzi; we know Mandello is an extraordinary place, which has created extraordinary motorcycles; we want it to be somewhere where devotees and their families can spend a weekend in an attractive lakeside setting and in an open factory where the Guzzi bikes are built. We have retained the old factory building and the museum with all the models, but with an eye to the future: we commissioned a project from the Yale faculty of architecture, from young students who know nothing about Mandello and Moto Guzzi. We asked them to design a factory, staffed not by robots but by men and women who work in the same way as bespoke tailors. A group of students and the faculty chair visited Mandello and then presented a project, which is part of Piaggio Fast Forward. The project is a blueprint for the factory of the future, combining old and new.”
Attention then turned to the new Moto Guzzi motorbikes, the V9 Bobber and the Roamer and the stunning MGX-21 “Flying Fortress”, which will be “landing” in the USA, in Sturgis, South Dakota, in August 2016. And if all this left everyone astonished, Colaninno promised: “In the last ten years we’ve done great things, and we have to continue… but what you’ve seen so far is nothing… we have to make things that don’t exist yet.” Thoughts immediately turn to the MP3, the world’s first three-wheel scooter, created by Piaggio in a move that heralded the future, inventing a new form of mobility. That was in 2006, less than ten years ago.
Event
EICMA 2015 SPECIAL REPORT
PIAGGIO GROUP: ALL THE NEW ENTRIES
MOTO GUZZI: FOUR BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLES TO CELEBRATE THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2016. NEXT YEAR ALSO MARKS THE VESPA’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY. PIAGGIO: TWO BRAND NEW HIGH-WHEEL SCOOTERS. LAUNCH OF THE PIAGGIO WI-BIKE. APRILIA PRESENTS THE FACTORY WORKS PROJECT TO CELEBRATE 54 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES AND ITS SUPERSTOCK 1000 SUCCESS. WATCH THE VIDEO FROM THE PIAGGIO GROUP STAND
Piaggio Group EICMA 2015
(Video by WeLovePlaza Entertainment).
The European leader on the two-wheeler market, the Piaggio Group came to EICMA 2015 with a host of new entries marking 130 years of activity: the Group was established at the end of December 1884. Two important anniversaries will be coming up in 2016, too: 70 years of the Vespa (patented on 23 April 1946 and taken into production immediately afterwards) and 95 years of Moto Guzzi, founded in 1921 at the legendary factory in Mandello del Lario, where the headquarters and production lines of the "Eagle" are still located today. "The Piaggio Group today boasts a range of extraordinary brands, each of which represents a different way of achieving the highest levels of quality and technology," said Group chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno (seen above during the Group press conference at EICMA 2015, ed.). "We have the strength of a great brand portfolio, offering solutions for all market segments and opening the way for new categories, forms and areas of mobility.
“And with the launch of the Piaggio Fast Forward project in the Group’s 130th year of activity, we have taken on the mission of thinking for the future, of designing and producing solutions that combine distinctive style with cutting-edge technology, to improve the way people travel in the future and also their quality of life.” The solidity of the brands in the Piaggio Group portfolio, each with its own mission, prestigious heritage and distinctive style and technical features, was reflected in the large stand organised by the Group for EICMA 2015.
A stand whose architecture and details echoed the world of the new Motoplex multibrand flagship stores recently opened by the Piaggio Group in cities around the world, including Milan, Manhattan, Shanghai, Beijing, Pune.
MOTO GUZZI: MAJOR ADDITIONS TO THE RANGE FOR 95TH ANNIVERSARY
EICMA 2015 marked the debut of a number of brand new motorcycles. First up is the Moto Guzzi V9: a new V-twin 850cc engine, with cardan shaft, new frame and design, with two models targeting two new segments: the V9 Bobber, light and easy, with large tyres, which looks Stateside, and the Roamer, a magnificent medium-size custom bike.
America’s Route 66 and great coast-to-coast trips are the inspiration for the MGX-21, a stunning 1400cc bagger, whose transposition from show bike to standard model (to be presented in August 2016 at Sturgis, South Dakota) has been achieved without compromise.
Meanwhile, the new V7 II Stornello is firmly rooted in Moto Guzzi history, reprising the name, style and technology (colours, knobby tyres and high exhaust) of the very first Italian motorbikes to be transformed into scramblers in the 1960s and 70s, beginning with the original Stornello.
70 YEARS FOR THE VESPA: 1.5 MILLION SCOOTERS SHIPPED SINCE 2005
With the Vespa, the Piaggio Group has successfully carried the legend forward, introducing a number of brand new products such as the 946, the Primavera, the Sprint and the new versions of the GTS. The design, technology and quality challenge has been accompanied by the challenge of turning a product regarded as a symbol of Italy into a global name. Piaggio’s success in meeting that challenge is reflected in the numbers: 1,500,000 Vespa scooters shipped worldwide since 2005, with a 2015 year-end forecast of an additional 166,000 shipments. A preview of the events the Piaggio Group plans to celebrate the Vespa’s 70th anniversary can be seen in “Vespa Settantesimo”, the versions and special colours unveiled at EICMA for two of the latest models – the Primavera and the GTS – and for a Piaggio evergreen, the PX, in production since 1977.
APRILIA: MISSION RACING. BESPOKE BIKES AT MORE THAN 230 HP
The Aprilia world means racing. EICMA saw the debut of the RSV4 RF model year 2016, a further refinement of an already perfect motorcycle, which this year, adding to its seven world Superbike titles, secured a double championship triumph with the Riders title (Lorenzo Savadori) and the Manufacturers title in the Superstock 1000 class. Victories that join the 54 world championship titles won by Aprilia in 20 years (28 since joining the Piaggio Group).
In the more esoteric segment of supersports bikes comes the Aprilia Factory Works project: the Aprilia championship technology is now available for everyone.
For professional riders, collectors or racetrack-Sunday devotees, Aprilia Racing is offering custom bikes developed and built to customer requirements, in accordance with the regulations of the Superstock and SBK championships in the various countries, with different chassis, electronics and engines, whose top configuration will exceed the 230 HP threshold.
PIAGGIO: HIGH-WHEEL REVOLUTION WITH THE LIBERTY AND THE MEDLEY
As well as the Vespa , the scooter exhibit presented two completely new entries for Piaggio, the brand that stands for instantly recognisable, technologically advanced, cutting-edge urban and metropolitan mobility, exemplified by the success of the revolutionary Mp3, the first three-wheel scooter and by far the best-selling product in its category, year after year. EICMA 2015 saw the debut of two brand new entries for Piaggio high-wheel scooters. After the extraordinary success of the first Liberty generation, with nearly one million sales, Piaggio introduces the new generation of its high-wheel scooter. Unmistakably a Liberty, but with superior quality and in line with current values, available with a new range of 4-stroke electronic injection engines (Piaggio iGet 50, 125 and 150cc) for eco-sustainability and low fuel consumption, and with ABS as a standard feature on the 125 and 150 versions.
The second announcement marks a new product and a new product segment. The Medley is equipped with the most powerful liquid-cooled version of the new Piaggio iGet 125 and 150cc engines, with a start & stop function. Slightly larger than the Liberty, more compact than the robust Beverly, the Medley is a new segment in the Piaggio Group offer, intended for a young male and female user with a normal driving licence. The exceptionally spacious underseat compartment has room for two helmets, a unique feature in this category of scooter.
PIAGGIO WI-BIKE, THE NEW TWO-WHEEL “PERSONAL TRAINER”
Rounding off the main new entries from the Piaggio Group (which also showed many model years and new versions for a number of brands, as well as additions to the Moto Guzzi Garage range of special components for custom bikes) is the Piaggio eBike. The Piaggio Wi-Bike, presented in the standard version at EICMA, and designed and developed entirely in Italy by Piaggio, is available in four different outfittings. Always connected to the world via the web, this is the eco-friendly vehicle of the future, connected to the net and to smartphones to deliver a huge range of services, from fitness to geolocation.
FILIPPA LAGERBACK, THE WI-BIKE
AND THE 1994 PIAGGIO CALENDAR
It was 1994: a young Swedish model from Stockholm was chosen for the Piaggio Group calendar. She appeared on a vintage Vespa, in a white bikini and with blonde plaits (crash helmets were not compulsory then), or smiling happily as she hugged the model playing her boyfriend, then in jeans, standing next to the famous scooter. She was also photographed in a “happy couple in the country” scene on the pick-up of a Porter Piaggio and on the saddle of a Ciao moped. The photo shoot helped to make her name.
The photos, taken more than 20 years ago, are as charming as ever, like the model herself, who has since become a TV presenter. During the press conference at EICMA 2015, she turned up on the Piaggio Group stand as the testimonial for the new Piaggio Wi-Bike. A convinced ecologist and cyclist, a household name and admired for her style and charm, Filippa really is perfect. During the press conference, she revealed that she has always been a Vesparado “at heart”. We have the proof to show she really is. Take a look at these photos.
LAPO ELKANN, A TRENDSETTER ON THE VESPA
He arrived followed by a flurry of photographers and cameramen, including Wide’s own team (photos M. Morelli, video clip WeLovePlaza Entertainment), who managed to document Lapo Elkann’s lightning visit to the Piaggio Group stand.
Lapo Elkann EICMA 2015
Lapo headed straight for the Moto Guzzi area, getting on to one bike after another (from the Guzzi Clubber project to the magnificent MGX-21 Flying Fortress), and then moved to the Vespa 98 (the first model in the series of the world’s most famous scooter, a success story that continues after 70 years).
No doubt Lapo was on the look-out for creative ideas for his own business activities. He is a well-known international figure, with a reputation as a trendsetter and style icon: nothing about his look is ever left to chance. And he is accustomed to moving around on a Vespa, including a top-of-the-range 946.
Event
INDIA, THE PIAGGIO GROUP OPENS
A MOTOPLEX FLAGSHIP STORE IN PUNE
Motoplex Pune, India
On 5 November 2015, the Piaggio Group opened its first Motoplex flagship store in India, in the city of Pune (State of Maharashtra). Situated about 120 km south-east of Mumbai, Pune is India’s fourth-largest industrial city and ninth-largest for number of inhabitants. It is a major university and research centre with nine universities and more than one hundred schools and scientific bodies, as well as a key location for the automotives and IT industries.
The Motoplex store in Pune offers the vehicles marketed in India for the Group’s most prestigious brands: Vespa, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. Motoplex is an innovative multibrand flagship store model, developed as part of the new global in-store experience strategy being developed by the Piaggio Group in major world cities. The Group recently opened Motoplex stores in Milan, Shanghai, Beijing and New York.
Motoplex Shanghai, Cina
Stefano Pelle, managing director of Piaggio Vehicles Private Ltd. (PVPL, the Indian subsidiary based in Pune with factories in Baramati), said: “We are very proud to open southern Asia’s first Motoplex store in India. Motoplex is a forward-looking concept enabling dealers to work with a variety of brands and products in a single location, and to offer customers an exciting overview of the two-wheeler world reflecting the innovative vision of the Piaggio Group.
“The store is not just a showroom for Vespa, Piaggio, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia motorbikes and scooters, it is also a fascinating journey in the style, technology and historic heritage of the two-wheeler brands that proudly stand for Made in Italy. After Pune, we shall be opening a number of other stores throughout India.”
The new C. Machado “Officina Moto” multibrand store that opened on 11 December in Rua Fernando Palha 29, central Lisbon, offers the full range of top Piaggio Group scooters and motorcycles, and related accessories: Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. The new Portuguese showroom offers two-wheeler devotees a unique experience, aligned with the new global in-store concept the Piaggio Group is developing in major metropolitan areas around the world with the Motoplex stores that opened recently in Milan, Shanghai, Beijing, Manhattan, Singapore, Jakarta and Pune.
Like the other stores, the new showroom in Lisbon offers customers the opportunity to experience the distinctive Vespa style, the Aprilia world of sport and adrenalin, the innovative technology of Piaggio, the legendary appeal of Moto Guzzi. A world of style and passion, in a superlative original location.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
SERGIO MATTARELLA VISITS “CASA ITALIA”
On 5 November 2015, the President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, arrived in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam. He was accompanied by the Minister for Economic Growth, Federica Guidi, and was greeted by Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Secretary, Bui Thanh Son, and by the Italian Ambassador in Hanoi, Cecilia Piccioni.
After meeting the embassy staff, President Mattarella visited the “Casa Italia” community, the Italian Country Promotion Centre for the Italian language and culture, with a permanent display of outstanding products such as the Vespa, where he stopped to admire the stunning Vespa 946 Emporio Armani.
THE VESPA IN “CASA ITALIA”
Formerly the residence of the Italian ambassador in Hanoi, “Casa Italia” opened in April 2013 as a centre to promote all aspects of Italy: culture, language, industry, food and wine. The centre is an initiative of the Italian embassy, organised in cooperation with Italian companies operating in Vietnam (including the Piaggio Group) and with local Italian language and cultural associations.
Here, together with the outstanding products of other Italian companies, the centre has a permanent exhibition, updated on a regular basis, about the extraordinary story of the Vespa and displays of current and vintage scooters.
Anniversary
PIAGGIO GROUP:
130 ENTERPRISING YEARS
A COMPANY WHOSE NAME HAS GONE DOWN IN ITALIAN AND WORLD INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. AN UNINTERRUPTED COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. ROBERTO COLANINNO: “WE HAVE THE STRENGTH OF A GREAT BRAND PORTFOLIO OFFERING SOLUTIONS FOR ALL MARKET SEGMENTS AND OPENING THE WAY FOR NEW CATEGORIES, FORMS AND AREAS OF MOBILITY”
2015 marks the 130th anniversary of the Piaggio Group, which was established at the end of December 1884. Two other major milestones follow close behind: in 2016, the Group will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Vespa (patented on 23 April 1946 and put immediately into production) and the 95th anniversary of Moto Guzzi, founded in 1921 in the legendary factory in Mandello del Lario, where the “Eagle Brand” facilities and production lines are still located today. “Today the Piaggio Group boasts a range of extraordinary brands, each of which represents a different way of achieving the highest levels of quality and technology," says Group chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno. "We have the strength of a great brand portfolio, offering solutions for all market segments and opening the way for new categories, forms and areas of mobility. And with the launch of the Piaggio Fast Forward project in the Group’s 130th year of activity, we have taken on the mission of thinking for the future, of designing and producing solutions that combine distinctive style with cutting-edge technology, to improve the way people travel in the future and also their quality of life.”
PFF, from left: Roberto Colaninno, Sasha Hoffman, Jeffrey Schnapp, Nicholas Negroponte, Beth Altringer, Gregg Lynn, Doug Brent, Jeff Linnell
The wealth of brands in the Piaggio Group portfolio, each with its own mission, prestigious heritage and distinctive style and technical features, is reflected in the large stand organised by the Group for the EICMA 2015 motor show, on which this issue of Wide provides extensive coverage. The two-wheeler brands are flanked by Piaggio commercial vehicles, in three- and four-wheel model ranges.
BEGINNINGS: SHIPS, TRAINS, AIRCRAFT, RADIAL ENGINES. The Piaggio company was established in Sestri Ponente, Genoa’s industrial district, at the end of 1884, by Rinaldo Piaggio (the son of Enrico, owner of a modern mechanised woodworking plant); the Piaggio carpenters produced the fittings for the finest Italian and foreign ships built at the end of the century. The company then expanded into railcar construction, at the time a more innovative sector with important growth prospects. Subsequently, with the opening up of the new frontier of aeronautics, from 1917 Piaggio workers began building aircraft wings and fuselage. Looking for a new site, Rinaldo took over a Pisa-based company and set down Piaggio’s first roots in Tuscany. The end of the First World War brought severe economic repercussions as the reconversion from war production to a peacetime economy took a heavy toll. The Piaggio company did not suffer unduly, however, or at least much less than other companies active in mechanics. Piaggio’s diversified production in the various fields of transport protected it from the impact of the postwar crises. It made rapid and significant progress in railway construction, taking important orders on both the domestic and the international market, including the construction of the “royal train” in the early 1920s and the manufacture of electrically powered trains whose design and steel weldings, based on original Piaggio research and patents, gave them a “futuristic” look. This was followed by production of the P2 (Piaggio 2) fighter monoplane, the first of a long series that included highlights such as the P7 – the Piaggio racing hydroplane – and the four-engine P 108, the last great Italian plane built before the Second World War.
A STORY OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION. Having identified a new business opportunity in aircraft engine production, in 1924 Rinaldo bought Costruzione Meccaniche Nazionali, a small workshop based in Pontedera that had been started up before the war by the engine section of the local agrarian consortium. Pontedera continued to produce aircraft engines, and within a few years had been joined by a number of expert engineers, notably Corradino d’Ascanio (1891- 1981), a gifted inventor from Popoli, in the Abruzzo region, who developed the variable-speed propeller as soon as he began working at Piaggio (1934). Corradino d’Ascanio is famous as the inventor of the helicopter; he held the flight duration and altitude record (1930) for years, at a time when the helicopter was unknown.
The story of Piaggio is a story of creativity, of technical objects conceived by innovative talent. In 1938, Rinaldo Piaggio died; production in the company’s four cutting-edge factories in Liguria and Tuscany was worth more than 160 million lire. His two sons split the business: Enrico took over responsibility for the Tuscan factories in Pisa and Pontedera, while Armando took charge of the facilities in Sestri and Finale Ligure. The company continued to grow and its advanced technology in both engine and aeronautical production reaped rewards: between 1937 and 1939, Piaggio radial engines set 21 records, including altitude (17,083 metres) with the PXI piston engine on the Caproni 161, piloted by Colonel Mario Pezzi. In this period, in addition to trains, naval fittings, aircraft and aircraft engines, Piaggio was building lorries, trams, buses, funicular railcars, and aluminium door and window frames, often reaching levels of excellence as with its 21 engine records or the famous P108 aircraft.
CORRADINO D’ASCANIO: DRAWING THE VESPA
Video’s English translation, the engineer Corradino d’Ascanio is speaking about his draw of the Vespa scooter: “I put a mudguard below the seat to cover the wheel… I aligned the steering column with the front wheel, automatically the scooter takes shape. Another new feature was to provide wheels that could be taken off, not in the same way as normal motorcycle wheels (which are mounted on a fork with a cross axle, so if you have a puncture you have pull out the axle, dismantle and remove the wheel). Whereas here the system is similar to that widely used on aeroplane undercarriages, where the wheels are cantilevered, so they can be taken off, as easily as on an automobile”.
DEBUT OF THE VESPA, A WORLDWIDE SUCCESS. With the end of the Second World War, Armando Piaggio slowly resumed aeronautical production and the manufacture of naval and rail fittings in the Ligurian plants, while Enrico was looking for a completely new business direction; his ambition was to help Italy overcome its postwar transport difficulties. He ventured into the complexities of Italian reconstruction with a specific idea: to build a simple, low-cost means of transport that would consume very little and could be ridden by men and women alike. In the Piedmontese town of Biella, where Piaggio had relocated its Pontedera production lines during the war, the company engineers had been building a small scooter: the MP5, nicknamed Paperino – Donald Duck – for its unusual shape. During a trip to Biella accompanied by Corradino d’Ascanio, Enrico Piaggio saw the Paperino: he liked the idea of a small vehicle, but was not convinced by its design. So he gave d’Ascanio a few weeks to come up with a new design for a nimble general-purpose vehicle. D’Ascanio was an aeronautical engineer (and a professor at Pisa University’s engineering faculty) and took up the scooter challenge. He did not like motorcycles; he thought they were uncomfortable, limited in use due to the difficulty of changing a tyre, and dirty because of the chain transmission. He came up with a completely different vehicle. Within a few weeks, he had designed a two-wheeler with a load-bearing body, a 98 cc engine, a direct-drive system, the gear change on the handlebar for easy riding, no fork but a side stand to facilitate tyre changing in the event of a puncture. The scooter frame protected the rider, who would be seated as though he or she were on a chair: indeed, when he presented the idea, d’Ascanio began by sketching a person in a comfortable sitting position, and then drew the scooter beneath him.
The final distinguishing feature of the design philosophy behind the new vehicle was the use of lightweight materials: another feature taken from aeronautics, where materials had to be light but strong. With these innovations, in September 1945, Corradino presented his prototype, the MP6, and in early April 1946, the final version, the legendary first Vespa 98cc. Inspecting the vehicle, Enrico Piaggio took an instant liking to it. Hearing the buzz of the engine and observing the ample seat in contrast with the narrow centre and tail, he exclaimed “It looks like a wasp!”, and a wasp – Vespa – it became! At midday on 24 April, a patent was registered in Florence for a “motorcycle composed of a rational group of parts and elements with a frame combined with mudguards and a casing covering all mechanical parts”, the Vespa. In a show of entrepreneurial daring, Enrico Piaggio immediately put a run of 2,500 scooters into production. The arrival of the Vespa was a watershed moment in the history of the Piaggio company, compared with its first 60 years of activity. The Pontedera factory abandoned its aeronautical projects and production to make the decisive move into the scooter business.
The Vespa made its debut in Rome, at an event attended by US General Stone representing the allied military government. The presentation was covered by the US cinema newsreel Movietone: Italians would see the Vespa scooter for the first time in Motor magazine (24 March 1946) and on the black and white cover of La Moto on 15 April 1946. They had the chance to see the futuristic vehicle for themselves at the Milan Fair in 1946. The press and the trade immediately realised the importance of the Vespa’s innovations and inventive engineering content. The international markets also showed interest in the scooter, which aroused admiration and curiosity among the public and the press. The Times called the Vespa “a completely Italian product such as we have not seen for centuries since the Roman chariot”. In 1947, a new product went into production: the Ape –officially launched in 1948 – a three-wheel van for the goods transport needs of postwar Italy, which adopted the same approach and philosophy that had inspired Enrico Piaggio for the Vespa. Like the Vespa, the Ape was immediately taken up for daily use; it was available in different models for a variety of applications, including the Ape Calessino passenger van.
AN EVERGREEN: FREEDOM AND THE PLEASURE OF TRAVEL. The story of the Vespa is fascinating from many points of view: technical, customs, innovation, style. The scooter also broke new ground in communication, with women as the focus of the message of the first advertising campaign. Piaggio’s extraordinary invention soon spread across the world, enjoying a commercial success and visibility that continues to this day, offering independence and the pleasure of mobility to whole generations. In 1988, Piaggio reached a milestone when the 10 millionth Vespa left the production lines. Worldwide Vespa sales around the world since 1946 – with more than 130 models – have now exceeded 18 million scooters, of which 1,500,000 in the last ten years alone (2005-2015). The story continues…
THE PIAGGIO GROUP TODAY: MULTINATIONAL, MULTICULTURAL.
Piaggio PFF Roberto Colaninno
The Piaggio Group is the largest European manufacturer of two-wheel motor vehicles and one of the world leaders in its sector. It is also a major international player on the commercial vehicle market. Roberto Colaninno is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Piaggio Group, Matteo Colaninno is Deputy Chairman. Piaggio (PIA.MI) has been listed on the Italian stock exchange since 2006. Since 2003, the Piaggio Group has been controlled by Immsi S.p.A. (IMS.MI), an industrial holding listed on the Italian stock exchange and headed by Roberto Colaninno, who is Chairman. Immsi’s Chief Executive Officer and MD is Michele Colaninno.
THE RANGE. The Piaggio Group product range includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds from 50 to 1,400 cc marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi and Scarabeo brands. The Group also operates in the three- and four-wheel light transport sector with its Ape, Porter and Quargo (Ape Truck) ranges of commercial vehicles. In 2014, the Piaggio Group shipped a total of 546,500 vehicles worldwide. The Piaggio Group brand portfolio contains some of the most distinguished and historic names in the motorcycling world: these include Gilera (founded in 1909), Moto Guzzi (founded in 1921), Derbi (1922) and Aprilia, which in just over twenty years has established itself as one of the most successful manufacturers in the world of Speed and Superbike championships. The Piaggio Group has a formidable record in motor racing, with extraordinary names such as Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera and Derbi that have gone down in sport history. Together, these Piaggio Group brands have won an impressive total of 104 world championship titles: Aprilia: 54 titles; Derbi: 21 titles; Moto Guzzi: 15 titles; Gilera: 14 titles.
LOCATIONS. The Piaggio Group is headquartered in Pontedera (Pisa, Italy) and has production plants around the world: Pontedera, where the Group technical HQ is located, which produces Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera branded two-wheelers, light transport vehicles for the European market and engines for scooters and motorcycles; Noale (Venice), a technical centre for the development of motorcycles for the entire Group and the home of Aprilia Racing; Scorzè (Venice), which produces Aprilia and Scarabeo branded two-wheelers; Mandello del Lario (Lecco, Italy), which produces Moto Guzzi vehicles and engines; Baramati (India, in the state of Maharashtra), which produces three- and four-wheel light transport vehicles for the Indian market and for export, the Vespa scooter for the local market, diesel and turbodiesel engines for the Group’s commercial vehicles; Vinh Phuc (Vietnam) which produces Vespa and Piaggio scooters for the local market and the Asia-Pacific area. The Piaggio Group also operates in China through a joint venture (Zongshen Piaggio Foshan Motorcycles, based in Foshan in the province of Guangdong) in which it holds a 45% stake and which is therefore not included in the Group’s consolidated results. In the USA, Pasadena in California is home to the Piaggio Group Advanced Design Center for R&D. Also in the USA, Piaggio Fast Forward Inc. (PFF), a Piaggio subsidiary established in June 2015 to develop innovative mobility and transport solutions and technologies, is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
VESPA GS (GRAN SPORT): THE WORLD’S BEST-LOOKING SCOOTER
60th ANNIVERSARY: 1955-2015. The first Vespa with sports features to be mass produced, the 150 GS leveraged the competition experience accumulated by the Piaggio Racing Team. The engine, with a series of technical solutions tested on the Vespa Sei Giorni (the “racing” model that dominated the popular reliability trials of the 1950s), injected fuel directly into the cylinder and delivered 8 HP at 7,500 rpm. The four-speed gearbox, elongated seat and large 10” wheels substantially modified the lines of the Vespa, which proved itself to be a determined two-wheeler capable of “breathtaking” performance.
In other words, this Vespa was a milestone in scooter history: its technical and aesthetic characteristics created such a fascinating vehicle that, from the moment of its debut 60 years ago, it was described as the “best-looking scooter ever produced in the world”. The Vespa GS was launched in 1955 and produced until the early 1960s, in five series.
Compared with the contemporary versions of the GS, the engine was an upgraded unit with the carburettor directly on the cylinder; the scooter body was streamlined for better air penetration. A feature that distinguished the first model (VS1) from those that followed were the cables running outside the handlebar. The Vespa GS (Gran Sport) is still one of the most sought after and highly prized models among collectors around the world.
SPEC SHEET. ENGINE: two-stroke monocylinder. BORE: 57 mm. STROKE: 57 mm. DISPLACEMENT: 145.6cc. TOP SPEED: 101 km/h. SUSPENSION: with coil spring and hydraulic damper on both wheels. BRAKES: drum. TYRES: 3.50-10".
VESPA 90 SS (SUPER SPRINT): THE SPORTY SCOOTER FROM THE BOOMING 1960S
50TH ANNIVERSARY: 1965-2015. The Vespa 90 SS (Super Sprint) was the supreme sporty Vespa of the 1960s. Small, compact, an impressive performer, aesthetically it was notable for the position of the spare wheel, placed vertically at the centre of the footboard and topped by a container posing as a fuel tank, fitted with a chest pad like a racing motorcycle.
The 90 SS did indeed compete in a number of races in that period, from the Round Italy race to speed trials on the Imola and Vallelunga circuits; it was a particularly strong performer in obstacle courses, thanks to its outstanding manageability. Just over 5,000 90 SS scooters were produced from 1965 to 1971, and the model’s quirky charm means it is still a prized item among collectors today.
SPEC SHEET. ENGINE: two-stroke monocylinder. BORE: 47 mm. STROKE: 51 mm. DISPLACEMENT: 88.5 cc. TOP SPEED: 93 km/h. SUSPENSION: with coil spring and hydraulic damper on both wheels. BRAKES: drum. TYRES: 3.00x10".
INTERVIEW
POP ART “ON THE ROAD” WITH THE VESPA,
BY ARTIST MARCO ARDUINI
Marco Arduini, “Portoferraio 1959”, acrylic and tempera on wood 83x56 cm, 2011, private collection
A GIFTED PAINTER AND PRINTMAKER, WHOSE WORK – WITH ITS POWERFUL CHROMATIC AND EMOTIONAL IMPACT – EVOKES A UNIQUE PERIOD IN ITALIAN HISTORY, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC BOOM AND THE MOOD OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE, OF WHICH THE ICONIC VESPA SCOOTER WAS – AND IS – THE IDEAL REPRESENTATIVE
The observer is enveloped in colour, which immediately fuels an optimistic mood; fascinated by the subject matter, which creates a vein of nostalgia by evoking the 1960s, when people rode two-wheelers in formal attire without crash helmets; and drawn, magnetically, to that scooter, the Vespa, now as then the undisputed symbol of freedom of movement and carefree independence for entire generations ever since it made its first appearance in 1946, in Tuscany.
Marco Arduini, “Frammenti di Viaggio” (Journey Fragments), acrylic and tempera on a map applied to canvas 80x80 cm
The eye and heart are overwhelmed by waves of colour and emotion as we admire the works of Marco Arduini, a gifted painter and printmaker. Born in Reggio Emilia in 1959, he works on wood, canvas and antique paper (from 1800). His “artistic idiom” has clear references to American Pop Art, and his rigorous, essential works, whose details are always significant, never random, deliver a considerable emotional and chromatic punch.
Marco Arduini, “Occhio al cioccolato 1958” (Mind the Chocolate 1958), acrylic and tempera on wood 50x50 cm
Marco Arduini has won wide recognition, including the Mondadori Art Prize (finalist in 2010) in Milan; he has displayed his work at the 54th Venice Art Biennale in the Italy-Emilia Romagna hall and in dozens of personal and collective shows in Italy and abroad. He is present with some of his works and personal pages on Balibart, the French online art gallery, and at the Saatchi Gallery of contemporary art in London.
Marco Arduini, “Viaggio verso Parma”,
(Trip to Parma)
acrylic and tempera on canvas 80x80 cm
Marco Arduini, “1961 Verso Marina”,
(1961 Off to Marina)
acrylic and tempera on wood 45.5x40.5 cm
Wide talked to Marco Arduini, who told us he was a passionate Vesparado. Here’s what he told us.
Travel and mobility are recurring themes in your work, which have a “nostalgic” feel. What are the roots of this creative focus?
“It’s the result of a latent situation that “matured” gradually in my mind, it all took shape as I frequently saw vintage vehicles on the roads, which took me back in time; I would isolate them mentally to create a story, a dream, but they were also very contemporary for me, motorcars and Vespa scooters with unmistakeable, even unique lines. And I have to say with a touch of pride that I began my project well before the media and commercial revival of that period.”
Marco Arduini, “Club le Ruote 1975” (The Wheels Club, 1975), acrylic and tempera on wood 70x70 cm, 2008
The Vespa has inspired generations of artists for almost 70 years and is one of the protagonists of your work, both on antique paper and in your brightly coloured paintings: have you fallen under its spell too?
“As a creator of travel stories and with my love for the 1960s, I simply had to use vintage cars and two-wheelers. The pleasure of travel is succinctly expressed in that advertisement that says: when I learned to travel I started enjoying myself…”
As an artist, what particularly inspires you about the history and style of this iconic scooter, famous all over the world?
“Since I’m also a Vespa devotee and a fan of vintage vehicles, I like presenting them in imaginary journeys, with almost theatrical landscapes, created ad hoc, with bright Pop Art colours; these are optimistic pictures depicting pleasure.”
What about your personal memories? Have you ever had a Vespa, and if so which model?
“I was born in that period and have strong memories, in black and white, which is why I also reproduce them on antique paper, reworking the patina of time. I have three Vespas: a GL 150 from 1963, a 90 from 1964 and a PX Elestart 150 from 1998. I’m a member of two Vespa clubs in Reggio Emilia: the VC Correggio and the VC Montecchio. I take part in official and unofficial rallies.”
Satisfy our curiosity: as an artist who paints “movement”, how do you move around in daily life?
“Every day I move around by car and Vespa, but the best journeys, in my imagination, are the ones in my pictures.”
Marco Arduini, untitled, acrylic and tempera on canvas 50x50 cm, private collection
As far as the Vespa’s long association with art is concerned, a visit to the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera ( www.museopiaggio.it/en) is an interesting adventure: the museum houses a number of “one-off pieces” depicting the Vespa by famous modern artists, as well as the celebrated Dalì Vespa. Marco Arduini: “I’m familiar with the story of the Vespa signed by Dalì – it’s a fascinating object – two legends side by side.”
Marco Arduini, “Partenza per la 6 Giorni, 1951” (Leaving for the 6 Days race, 1951”, graphite on antique paper from 1814, 56x44 cm, private collection
LEONARDO FIORAVANTI:
THE WAVE TAMER WHO LOVES THE VESPA
“Forza Italia!” he wrote on his Facebook page immediately after his triumph: in October, Leonardo Fioravanti, 17, was crowned under-18 surfing world champion. His name is already in the history books: until now no Italian surfer had ever conquered the world. Leonardo succeeded, taming the waves at Oceanside, California, in six days of competitions and surfboard challenges.
Leonardo’s victory was a particularly sweet triumph: at the beginning of the year, he had an accident during a competition in Hawaii, followed by a long period of rehabilitation. Flooded by messages of support from his many fans, Leonardo was back on his feet in time to compete in and win the world championship. The young Quiksilver athlete truly deserved gold at the ISA 2015 World Junior Surfing Championship, in which 322 top junior surfers from 36 countries all over the world competed.
A TRUE ITALIAN, A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD
The young champion hails from Cerveteri (Rome), and is a true “citizen of the world”, having travelled widely and lived abroad, in the USA, Australia and France. Wide Magazine wrote about Leonardo two years ago, when he became 2013 European ASP Pro Junior Champion (Association of Surfing Professionals): on that occasion, Xtreme Video produced the “Italian Surfers” web series about him, where he can be seen riding a Vespa, the undisputed icon of Italian style, and demonstrating his skill in mastering the world’s most famous scooter, as well as the ocean waves. Leonardo has two idols: surfing legend Kelly Slater, 7 times world champion (whom he met in Hawaii), and the Vespa, chosen as the co-star of his web series. Vespa and Fioravanti: a winning duo.
TRACK RECORD: SIX TITLES IN FIVE YEARS
Leonardo began surfing at the tender age of four, following his brother Matteo, a surfer with the Italian team. Young Leonardo showed talent and travelled to the Maldives, Australia, Brazil, as well as spending time in Rome to study. He trained with the world’s best surfers to perfect his technique. In 2009, he joined the Red Bull team and has already built up an enviable track record, which he hopes to enhance. In the last five years, he has won six major titles. In 2010, runner-up in the under-14 European Junior Championship, in Viana, Portugal; in 2012, first place in the Rip Curl GromSearch International at Bells Beach, in Australia. Two years ago, European ASP Pro Junior Champion in the Canaries: this was the first time an Italian surfer had won a European ASP title, an historic achievement for Italy and Leo Fioravanti’s best result to date.
After his silver at the European championship, in 2013 Leonardo Fioravanti took home another silver, this time at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships (in Tola, Nicaragua), and showed his pride in being Italian with the tricolour printed on his shorts. 2014 saw another silver, at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing – Pro Junior at Manly Beach, Sydney; and this year, he won the gold crown as under-18 world champion. Now he’s ready to move up to the next category: on 8 December 2015 he turns 18. Happy birthday!
“ITALIAN SURFERS”, THE WEB SERIES. COMPLETE WITH VESPA
THE TRAILER
"I surf italiani” – Italian Surfers – is a web series launched in 2013 on the then 16-year-old new European ASP Pro Junior Champion, Leonardo Fioravanti. Over the last two years, the videos in the series have attracted 200,000 views, and not just among surfing enthusiasts. In six episodes, the young champion talks about himself, accompanied by image of his splendid prowess riding the waves. Here is the 6-video collection. Production: Xtreme Video; Filmed by: Jamie Tierney; Sponsored by: Quiksilver; Rider: Leonardo Fioravanti; Music: Sleeping with Fishes (Anders Lewen, Tore Berglund) MAT228 – UPPM.
I Surf Italian | Leonardo Fioravanti | Quiksilver #Ep1/6
I Surf Italian | Leonardo Fioravanti | Quiksilver #Ep2/6
I Surf Italian | Leonardo Fioravanti | Quiksilver #Ep3/6
I Surf Italian | Leonardo Fioravanti | Quiksilver #Ep4/6
I Surf Italian | Leonardo Fioravanti | Quiksilver #Ep5/6
I Surf Italian | Leonardo Fioravanti | Quiksilver #Ep6/6
THREE YOUNG CREWS FROM THE TAURINORUM TEAM ABOARD THREE PIAGGIO APE CITY PASSENGER VANS, 18 DAYS AND 2,500 KM ON THE ROAD ACROSS SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA. DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL IN THE CAPITAL, ADDIS ABABA. A PROMOTIONAL TOUR BUT ALSO AN EXPLORATION OF LANDS AND PEOPLE, IN SUPPORT OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (EPISODE ONE)
ApeWay Ethiopia 2015 is the name of an original initiative starring the Ape, Piaggio’s legendary three-wheeler goods and passenger van, which completed an 18-day 2,500 km trip across southern Ethiopia in November. Three determined young crews from the Taurinorum Team travelled aboard three Piaggio Ape City Passenger vans. ApeWay began life as a roadshow to publicise the Piaggio brand, and the Ape in particular, promoting business with social and ethical ties with local communities. The tour began on 6 November 2015, with an institutional event at the Italian embassy in Addis Ababa attended by Ambassador Giuseppe Mistretta, the owner and staff of TAGROW, the Piaggio importer in Ethiopia, the crews of the Taurinorum Team and a Piaggio Veicoli Commerciali delegation. For the occasion, a photo exhibition was organised in the embassy garden on the hard-working little three-wheeler, an international best-seller since its launch in Italy in 1948 and the star in recent years of other adventurous tours undertaken by the Taurinorum Team (Ecuador and Peru, from Quito to Machu Picchu in 2011; ApeMaya in Central America in 2012).
The tour travelled through a number of towns and cities – Addis Ababa, Debre Zeit, Hossana, Arba Minch, Konso, Jinka, Shashemene and Ziway – where numerous events were organised to present the tireless Piaggio three-wheeler.
After more than two weeks travelling through Ethiopia, the tour ended in the capital on 22 November, coinciding with the Great Ethiopian Run (one of Africa’s most famous marathons). To organise this original adventure in Ethiopia, Piaggio Veicoli Commerciali had the highly experienced support of the official local importer, TAGROW, and the Taurinorum Team, founded by three young men from Turin, Ludovico de Maistre, Carlo Alberto Biscaretti and Paolo Rignon, which organises travel adventures all over the world.
SOLIDARITY ON THREE WHEELS. The Ape was the protagonist of an extraordinary “slow trip” through the local areas, adopting a multicultural joint approach in a spirit of integration. The ApeWay initiative also had a social aim, to highlight a series of projects by Italian NGOs that have been active in Ethiopia for some time and are very familiar with local conditions (CVM, Comunità Volontari per il Mondo [Volunteer Community for the World], and CIAI, Centro Italiano Aiuti all’Infanzia [Italian Centre for Assistance to Children]).
(Photo: Adriano Filippi).
The three ApeWay crews documented a series of projects for water development and hygiene education, schooling and protection of minors, to share them with a wider public.
APE, PLUCKY, STURDY, VERSATILE. Another aim of the tour was to demonstrate to Ethiopians the utility, versatility and sturdiness of the Ape as a cargo vehicle in agricultural and urban environments where NGOs work for local territorial development. The Ape is an extremely valuable work tool for transporting people and goods. Specifically, it meets the needs of small local organisations that need to transport agricultural products, lumber, water and materials from one location to another, from the countryside to markets, from a water well to a village. In the Ethiopian setting, the Ape could be an important tool for local economic development and an opportunity for young people wanting to set up their own businesses.
(Photo: Adriano Filippi).
The ApeWay tour travelled down to the Omo Valley, in the far south of Ethiopia, crossing towns and a variety of terrains (along difficult roads and in all weather conditions). In each village, an event was organised to explain how the Ape is an affordable vehicle that can significantly improve the quality of life.
Thanks to its specific characteristics – versatility, large payload, low fuel consumption and running costs – the Piaggio three-wheeler workhorse enables goods to be transported faster and with less effort than the current methods used by most of the population (mules, hand-pulled carts, makeshift equipment, etc.).
COMMITMENT TO ROAD SAFETY. The ApeWay project also promoted road safety. Ethiopia has a high incidence of road accidents, many between pedestrians and vehicles, especially at night. The question is closely followed by national bodies (through the National Road Safety Action Plan), and by international bodies through the World Health Organisation and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, which promote the Action for Road Safety campaign. The three ApeWay crews distributed more than 5,000 bracelets and hundreds of high-visibility reflective t-shirts to local residents: a small contribution that could save lives.
NEW VESPA EYEWEAR COLLECTION
MADE IN ITALY BY TWC-L’AMY
Fabrizio Calarco - TMC Group TWC - L'Amy Italia
Clip video’s English translation: “What new entries are you showing at Mido?” (the world eyewear trade show, ed.). Fabrizio Calarco (TWC-L’Amy Group, Italy): “This year we have a very important new development at Mido 2015 because we’ve signed a licensing agreement with the Piaggio company for the production and global distribution of the Vespa brand. So this year is a very important event for us, because we’ve developed a collection reminiscent of Italy's dolce vita. All the models recall the eyewear of movie and fashion stars in the postwar period, from the 1960s to the 1990s. The first article in the collection is Primavera, just like the Vespa, with a young, colourful, carefree style, then we move on to some very interesting models such as the PX: who didn’t have a Vespa PX? These are great vintage models, all in acetate, and then we come to the Piaggio flagship, which is of course the 946. We have some models with glass lenses, then there are very interesting models recalling the 1980s, as well as spectacles which can be raised or with a detachable clip-on. So this year is an important event and it’s proving very successful.”
Vespa and the TWC-L’Amy Group have created a new eyewear collection. The world’s leading player in eyewear, wristwatches and bijoux for the production and distribution of high-fashion griffes has secured a new partnership with the legendary Vespa brand, an Italian icon of style and elegance, a symbol of freedom and a best-selling scooter all over the world. The agreement has generated a new collection of spectacles and sunglasses for the global market, which was previewed in Milan at the Mido 2015 world eyewear trade show and admired at EICMA 2015 on the Piaggio Group stand.
The leitmotif of the made in Italy collection (available from leading opticians and also in the Piaggio Group flagship stores and showrooms) are the vintage shapes and luxurious style of the glasses worn by Italian movie stars in the years of la dolce vita, but with a refined modern twist that will appeal to everyone.
Colour is certainly the key feature of the “Young” line, inspired by the iconic Vespa Primavera, with up-to-the-moment models in lively colours, ideal for a strikingly trendy look. For vintage lovers, the “PX” line combines the tradition of the international success of the Vespa PX with the glamour of polarised lenses, for models that ensure a cool look behind the wheel. The brand flagship is the futuristic “946” range, whose sharp, clean frames, inspired by the exclusive lines of the luxury Vespa scooter, endow an indispensable accessory with a recherché look. This extensive collection has models to suit all tastes and requirements.
New entry: glass balls by Vespa for Xmas decorations
Wonderful surprises lie in wait under and… on the Christmas tree. Under the tree are three great gifts: the new red t-shirts – men’s, women’s, children’s – in 100% cotton jersey with a silver/mylar paper print “DO YOU XMAS?”, the “Limited Edition” Vespa logo on the left shoulder, and the word HAPPINESS inside the neck. Irresistible.
The perfect touch to personalise your presents or greetings cards, the gloss paper artwork colour stickers show Father Christmas on a Vespa (pack of 30, sticker size 6x18cm).
Add extra sparkle to your tree with these blown glass balls (with a digitally printed Vespa logo on one side and Father Christmas artwork on the other); each set has three balls and comes in a smart red box with the Vespa logo.
Alternate your decorations with the stainless steel “Vespa shapes” of the Vespa 946 (front and side), in a gift pack with four shapes.
Style
SEEN AT EICMA 2015
GIFT IDEAS: THE NEW ARRIVALS
IN THE VESPA COLLECTION
Our Vespa friends are lucky, they have no problem finding gifts for fans of the legendary scooter. At EICMA 2015 in Milan, the display windows of the imposing Piaggio Group stand presented endless ideas: clothing, accessories, helmets and a host of original high-quality objects, with no attention spared to detail. Just the job when you’re looking for a present for friends… or for yourself!
The Vespa collection offers a number of must-have new entries, such as the full-zip hoodies (for men, women and children) in a grey melange with contrasting logo/inside; or a new calfskin jacket for men and women, with a cotton lining printed with the Vespa trademark (washed and waxed for a vintage effect).
ACCESSORIES: RAINBOW LINE
For the accessories range, the new rainbow line (available in black, blue, maroon) includes: a general-purpose shopper with zip and adjustable shoulder straps; a sporty backpack with pocket and zip, and adjustable padded shoulder straps (inside a padded section for a tablet and a cell phone pocket); a briefcase-type bag, with adjustable straps, zips and handy pockets, two inner compartments with a padded divider; a slim shoulder bag, with zip and adjustable strap, external pocket and two inner compartments, including a padded compartment for a music player or smartphone.
The range also includes a sports bag with adjustable shoulder strap, external and internal pocket with zip; an oval pencil case with penholders and zip, a practical item for the office or school; a unisex beauty case with two sections and an external pocket. Another handy idea is the “roll-up” beauty case: a practical space-saver.
THE BEST VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE
MTV EMA 2015 AWARDS
MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS:
“DOWNTOWN”, WITH THE VESPA
(Photo from the website: https://it.mtvema.com/)
The “best video” in this issue of Wide is “Downtown” by the duo Ben “Macklemore” Haggerty and Ryan Lewis. In the last few years, the rapper and the DJ from Seattle (USA) have become international stars, thanks to their viral videos, which have a won a huge following among young fans. The pair made their debut in 2009 with “VS.EP”, had their first major success with “Thrift Shop” (2012), and then achieved an EMA nomination (MTV Europe Music Awards) for Best Song/Hip-Hop/World Stage/U.S. Act in 2013, winning in the “Best New” EMA category. This year, after picking up four 4 Grammy Awards, they appear once again among the MTV EMA winners, in the “Best Video” category, with their latest worldwide success “Downtown”.
So here is the multi-award-winning video, with co-starring roles taken by a whole crowd of Vespa scooters, perfectly at ease in metropolitan mood, in the company of rappers and hip-hop artistes. In the opening shot, Macklemore is seen “resting” on a two-colour PX 125; other Vespa models appear in the rest of the video (see if you can spot them) through to the final “parade”. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also owe their popularity to the powerful, densely meaningful lyrics of their musical experiments. Posted on YouTube at the end of August, the “Downtown” video had collected more than 60 million views by mid-November!
MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - DOWNTOWN (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
INFO:
"Downtown (feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz)" di Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Google Play). www.macklemore.com
TWO VESPA SCOOTERS ON STAGE AT EMA MILAN 2015
There were two smart white Vespa scooters with red seats on the international stage of the big MTV EMA MILAN 2015 music event (at the Assago Forum, on 25 October, broadcast on all MTV channels). The scooters were part of the staging for the stunning performance of duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, evoking the metropolitan atmosphere of their latest hit, “Downtown”. Here are a few screen-shots from the video of their performance in Milan, which you can enjoy on line on the MTV EMA site: it.mtvema.com.
MY VESPA MOVIE
INDONESIA:
A VESPA TRIP TO GARUT
Young, carefree, sometimes cheeky, but great fun and, above all, proud Vesparados. That’s Bagus Darmawan and his friends (Rais, Gori, Kibon, Rendy, Dolly, Dilang, Endo, Miko), who filmed their trip on their Vespa scooters through Indonesia’s central Jawah region to Garut. Away from the postcard landscapes, the video describes the nitty-gritty of the journey, complete with traffic queues and unexpected hitches; most of all, it portrays the importance of friendship and of having a Vespa, to go wherever you want, whatever the weather.
Touring Garut vespa indonesia
BAGUS & REYSI: INVITATION TO A WEDDING PARTY
When Bagus and Reysi, a couple of Indonesian Vespa devotees, got married on 7 February, they invited their friends to their wedding with a series of delightful video clips (video wedding invitations are the latest fashion) describing their love for each other, and for their cherished scooter. Congratulations and years of happiness to them all!
Bagus & Reysi Teaser Wedding
YOU AND YOUR VESPA
ON WIDE!
Every Vespa scooter, whatever its age, whatever the model, is a cult object, a collector’s item to be treasured, cared for and kept for years after any other vehicle would have finished its working life. The new WIDE feature “My Vespa Movie” is dedicated to everyone who rides off to work on a brand new Vespa every morning, to everyone who fondly conserves a Vespa handed down in the family from generation to generation, to everyone who lovingly cherishes a vintage Vespa.
MAKE YOUR
VESPA MOVIE!
Make a short video with your Vespa to tell us what the Vespa name means to you. You can tell the story of your scooter or recount a trip you’ve made together. You can include shots of daily life, or evoke the emotions you have shared.
The videos we select will appear on Wide, in the new feature “My Vespa Movie”, to present you and your Vespa, the most special scooter in the world, to Vespa devotees all over the globe. Because every Vespa story is unique.
