For the Piaggio Group, it was motorcycles that took centre stage at the 2023 Eicma Show in Milan today. But the smallframe Vespa range did get a minor makeover with some new colours and technology too.
Their press release begins:
“Milan, 7 November 2023 – The Piaggio Group attends EICMA having consolidated its position as Europe’s leading manufacturer. As of 30 September 2023, the Group had sold 454,400 vehicles worldwide, reporting a revenue of 1,626.2 billion Euro. This makes for a net profit of 85.7 million Euro, the best ever result over a nine month period. In addition, the industrial gross margin grew by 9.3% while the Ebitda recorded its highest ever value for the period, up by 13.8%.
“In the first nine months of 2023, the Piaggio Group confirmed its leadership in Europe in the scooter segment, with a share of 23.1%, while on the North American scooter market, the share increases to 29.5%.
“The scooter sector has seen strong performances by high-wheel models Piaggio Beverly and Piaggio Medley, and a double-figure increase in Vespa revenue on Western markets.
In the motorcycle sector, the new Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello has been particularly well-received by the market.”
New Technology
From their Aprilia brand they launched the RS 457 motorcycle today, and also the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, and on-off road bike that features the PFF Rider Assistance Solution based on radar technology developed by Piaggio Fast Forward, the robotics subsidiary founded by the Piaggio Group and based in Boston (USA). Features include Following Cruise Control (an advanced cruise control system that exploits the front radar to adjust speed based on that of the vehicle ahead), Forward Collision Warning (detects possible collisions with vehicles and objects located ahead), Blind Spot Information System (warns the rider of vehicles in the blind spot of the mirrors), and Lane Change Decision Aid System (identifies vehicles that are approaching from the side). This type of technology will no doubt eventually filter through to other models of bike and scooter eventually.
Vespa Primavera and Vespa Sprint S
The Vespa smallframe models, Primavera and Sprint S, both received attention from ‘The Piaggio Centro Stile’, “introducing new materials and working painstakingly on the details to enhance the unique features and different spirits of Vespa Primavera and Vespa Sprint S.” As a result they tell us that handlebar/ headset feature new hand grips and electric controls, the legshield back plate is also new, as is the crest on the mudguard of the Primavera, while the handlebar surrounds have been revamped and updated. The seat has also been improved, thanks to the use of new materials.
The Tech version of Primavera features the key-less start system and TFT instrumentation via which you can manage the functions offered by the Vespa MIA multimedia platform. The analogue/ digital instrument panel on the other versions is also new, while all now flaunt a full LED lighting system.
The Vespa Primavera and Vespa Sprint S are available with Euro 5+ compliant 50, 125, and 150cc 4-stroke engines with three-valve timing and electronic injection.
There are two electric versions of Vespa Primavera and Vespa Sprint S, one with speed limited to moped standards and one with motorcycle approval, available with the Primavera Tech equipment package. The moped versions now have removable batteries for convenient charging too.
Piaggio Scooters
Piaggio of course also showed the rest of their scooter range in Milan, with the high-wheels (or large-wheeled as we say in the UK) models Liberty, Medley and Beverly (ranging from 50 to 400cc) benefiting from an “aesthetic update.”
Meanwhile their Piaggio 1, the e-scooter, is now available in a more powerful version that offers peak power of 2.2 kW, almost twice that of the previous version, while the motorcycle version (Piaggio 1 Active) reaches a peak of 3 kW. Apparently this makes for a significant increase in terms of acceleration, “which increases by 14% on Piaggio 1 and by almost 12% on Piaggio 1 Active.”
For more details on the range of scooters visit the websites at www.vespa.com and www.piaggio.com
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