Theres a new kid in town, zipping down the road And yes, this baby has two wheels, and dollops of la dolce vita. Were talking about the all-new Vespa VX, which has just been launched in India by Baramati-based Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, the fully owned Indian arm of the Pontedara, Italy-based Piaggio Group, makers of luxury scooters.
Developed just for the Indian market, the Vespa VX takes inspiration from the wildly popular Vespa LX, a bestseller in Europe and the Americas. Its monocoque full-steel body (a company trademark since 1946) gives rigidity and better manoeuvrability on Indian roads. Plus, its four-stroke three-valve 125cc engine is powerful yet eco-friendly, offering a mileage of 60km per litre. An aircraft-derived anti-dive front suspension, and shock-absorber rear suspension make it ideal for local driving conditions. Tubeless tyres offer a higher degree of safety in case of punctures, by avoiding immediate deflation, and ventilated 200mm front and 140mm rear disk brakes ensure safe stopping. The leather seats are contoured, and now come in a beige option. The instrument cluster in black, with a clock, gives all needed information at a glance, while a chrome saddle handle bar adds a dash of style.
Speaking at the New Delhi launch event yesterday at the Taj Palace hotel, Ravi Chopra, chairman and managing director of Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (India) said that the new features not only offer a better riding experience, but bring Indians a step closer to the Vespa Universe. He said that from a single model launched a year ago, they were moving into expanding Vespas product offerings. Bollywood actor Siddharth Malhotra unveiled the Vespa VX in two striking colours, Portovenere Verde, a metallic green, and Vibrante Rosa, a dual-tone pink-red. The Vespa VX is perfect for young people like me, who are also highly fashion-conscious, he said.
The Vespa VX will cost Rs71,380 ex-showroom, New Delhi, and is available at Piaggio stores across the country. The company has sold over 50,000 Vespas since its India launch a year ago.
Text by Priya Kumari Rana