Press Release:

NEW YORK, April 1, 2010 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio, recognized for ground-breaking technology and legendary style, has equipped its 2011 Vespa S 150, LX 150 and LXV 150 models with new 150cc electronic fuel-injected engines that are even more miserly at the gas pump than the previous generation.  Consuming 15 percent less fuel than its predecessor, the new powerplant wrings up to 85 miles out of each gallon of gas, all the while delivering an endless supply of fun and riding thrills.  In addition, the new engine design also provides stronger, smoother acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, an especially important performance trait for metro commuters.

Green Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Commitment

While fuel price peaks and valleys have introduced thousands of consumers to the benefits of scooter ownership, choosing to swap some driving miles for riding miles isn’t just a trend when gas costs spike.  For environmentally conscious consumers, it’s a lifelong commitment.  The addition of the new 150cc injected engine family within the popular mid-range category adds even more reasons for consumers devoted to reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions and congestion to make the switch to two wheels.

The electronic fuel injection system on the new 150cc injected engine ensures the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is optimized at all times and allows the single cylinder unit to pick up more smoothly and progressively from lower engine speeds.  As a result, riders enjoy strong and smooth power delivery, especially in the relentless stop-start conditions of urban riding.  The benefits of the new engines can also be appreciated on longer journeys where extended stretches of roadway come into play.  And, owners who want a fast getaway will notice improved cold-starts, thanks to fuel injection.

Strong, clean and well-mannered at any speed, the 150cc i.e. equipped Vespa models arecapable of zooming up to 60 mph. The unique, steel unibody Vespa frame provides greater rigidity and a more stable ride, while the superior trailing link suspension is designed to better handle potholes and other hazardous conditions. The front-disc braking system allows riders to safely make sudden stops on a dime, which is great for cities where traffic rules the road.

“Vespas are one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to contribute toward a cleaner, greener transportation landscape, and our new fuel-injected 150cc engine range makes it even simpler,” saidPaolo Timoni, CEO of Piaggio USA. “Mid-scooters like the Vespa S 150 i.e., LX 150 i.e. and LXV 150 i.e. are tailor-made for confident urban commuting, and a 15 percent increase in fuel-efficiency is yet another great reason to add a scooter  to your garage this Spring.”

Vespa has been and continues to be synonymous with fuel-efficiency and performance in North America and Europe. The new 150cc i.e. family upgrades the most popular models into a powerful league of their own, without compromising the long list of premium features.  The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for Vespa 150 i.e. models starts at $4,399 for the 2011 Vespa S 150 i.e. For more information, visit www.vespausa.com.

We’re not too sure how much of the old Lambretta remains in the new company, but a comeback in the 125GP racing scene makes an interesting statement…

Read the full story at VisorDown.com

Genuine competes in a crowded scooter market that features companies with more resources and smaller companies with more name recognition.

Japanese powerhouses Honda and Yamaha, and Taiwanese manufacturers Sym and Kymco, produce scooters in Genuine’s price range, but scooters are a small part of those companies.

Vespa, produced by Europe-based Piaggio, is the most recognized name in the industry, but its lowest end model runs at least $1,000 more than the base model Buddy.

Read the story Here

Please feel free to register, create your own groups, connect with friends and tinker with what we have so far. We’ll keep you posted on the updates and upgrades as we go along…

Enjoy!

From TimesOnline.co.uk

Bajaj will stop producing scooters in March, to concentrate on catching Honda, the leader in the motorcycle market. The Indian company also has a pact with Renault-Nissan, under which it is developing an ultra-cheap car that is expected to cost less than £2,000…

The move marks the end of an era. At one time, the Bajaj Chetak, a scooter named after the horse of a legendary warrior king and modelled on the iconic Vespa designed by Italy’s Piaggio, was one of the bestselling modes of transport on the planet.

Read the full article at TimesOnline.co.uk

One-day Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals may be history but Vespa has a special offer with permanent benefits for folks who like to save year-round. Vespa USA’s new Hello Beautiful campaign outfits a brand-new Vespa LX 150, S 150 or LXV 150 with season-exclusive goodies that not only saves buyers $500 off the MSRP, but adds benefits designed for peace of mind and healthy living for a total savings of over $900.

From now through February 28, 2010, consumers who add one of these three most popular Vespa scooter models to their shopping lists will not only keep more cash on hand for other winter necessities but they can also take home a great product that’s as fun to keep as it is to regift. In addition to the instant $500 purchase price savings, buyers also receive a free two-year extended warranty (a $350 value) and a copy of EA SPORTS Active™, the #1 rated interactive fitness product for the Wii, to help keep bodies in tip top shape year-round. Whether a longtime two-wheel enthusiast, first-time buyer or fitness fan, the Hello Beautiful offer is a unique opportunity to join the vibrant Vespa community.

It turns out that combining a direct-injection two-stroke engine with an electric motor and plug-in capable battery can yield some interesting gains…

Piaggio claims the USB (Urban Sport Bike) prototype should reach a modest 62mph, but it will get there with an incredible 147 foot-pounds of torque! Top that with almost 160 miles per gallon and you’re almost certainly guaranteed half as many trips to the pump.

From the Piaggio Press Release:

A hybrid of shapes, technologies, motor vehicle architecture: Piaggio USB breaks the mould and stands as a new species in the metropolitan scenario of the future.
In a world where the range of vehicles is constantly changing, Piaggio USB draws inspiration from the scooter, motorcycle and car world. Its design, whose distinguishing feature is its pure and sinuous shape, draws from worlds that are not the ones that are conventionally referred to for two-wheeled scooters. Its enveloping shape turns the scooter driver into the protagonist and conceals what is superfluous. Man is once again the centre of attention and the vehicle becomes a modern instrument to move SMARTLY in all conditions.
The benefits of innovative ergonomics, scooter-typical protection and convenience are combined with motorcycle dynamism. Rationality and excitement merge into fluid and dynamic shapes. Piaggio USB is incredibly sinuous and its smooth surfaces make it a quick, dynamic scooter, ready to take over any road.

Easy and intuitive, light and compact, Piaggio USB is designed to offer the convenience of a scooter and the comfort of a compact car, without giving up sporty and fun driving. Utmost comfort is guaranteed by its highly protective surfaces, ensuing from a smooth and aerodynamic design, and by its ergonomic seat, an innovative position that is halfway between a scooter and a car.
The prototype can develop into three different configurations: single-seater, like a sporty vehicle, two-seater like a coupé, or with top-box, for the highest load capacity.

More photos and complete article at Hell For Leather Magazine

http://www.amerivespa.org/

The XO2 can be easily transformed into a quarter cubic meter luggage cart and only takes 2 hours to recharge.

via Design Boom

More at Inhabitat