Vespa has updated its two “small body” scooters – the 2024 Vespa Primavera and the 2024 Vespa Sprint S. Both models get freshened styling while maintaining a classic Vespa character, and both are available with either a gas-powered engine or an electric motor. These two Vespas also come in a wide range of trim levels and colors.
The Vespa Primavera and Sprint originally emerged in the mid-1960s. In 2013, Vespa brought back the Primavera as a “small body” scooter with a focus on accessibility, urban convenience, and style. The Vespa Sprint was reintroduced in 2014 as the more fun-loving and youthful of the small-body scooters. Both scooters are built on a full steel body and share many components, with the major differences between the two coming in the form of styling touches and color options.
Updates for 2024 include new switchgear, new hand grips, and a new front shield. Also new are the wheels, with the Primavera having five spokes and the Sprint S having six. The seat has been updated with new materials.
Most of the upgrades to the Vespa Primavera and Sprint S come from the electronics department. A new instrument panel combines an analog speedometer with a 3-inch LCD screen, which shows a tripmeter, fuel consumption, and average and max speed. The LCD instrumentation also permits the rider to connect to a smartphone. Smartphone connectivity comes as standard on the Vespa Primavera Tech and is available as an option on the rest of the models. In the 150cc version, the Vespa Primavera Tech options package adds a 5-inch TFT display that can show phone calls, messages, and music information once connected to a smartphone. Also new is an LED headlight, taillight, and indicators on all models.
Both the Vespa Primavera and the Vespa Sprint S are available with either a combustion engine or an electric motor. The combustion engine versions are available in either a 50cc or 150cc displacement with an air-cooled 4-stroke engine with three valves and electronic fuel injection. The electric option includes the Primavera Tech equipment package, which adds smartphone connectivity, a keyless system, and a 5-inch TFT display. Vespa hasn’t yet released full specifications on the electric powertrain.
In line with the theme of youthful energy, these Vespas will be available in a wide range of color options. The Primavera comes with chrome finishings and is available in Bianco Innocente, Nero Convinto, Verde Amabile, Arancio Impulsivo, or Blu Enérgico. The Primavera S trim includes a different seat, finishings, and graphics and is available in Beige Avvolgente, Nero Convinto Opaco, or Giallo Curioso. The Primavera Tech option comes in Blu Energic Opaco or Grigio Entusiasta.
The Vespa Sprint S is available in Bianco Innocente, Nero Convinto Opaco, Verde Ambizioso, Rosso Coraggioso, or Blu Eclettico.
Pricing for the U.S. has not yet been announced. Visit the Vespa website for more information.
At the EICMA show in Italy, the Piaggio Group introduced the new Aprilia ELECTRICa project, as well as several updated models in the company’s brand range, including the following:
Aprilia RS 660 Extrema
V7 Stone Special Edition and V9 Bobber Special Edition
Piaggio 1
Vespa GTV, Primavera Color Vibe, and 946 10° Anniversario
The Piaggio Group said its brands have “accepted the challenge of a changing world, introducing a vast offer of vehicles capable of meeting any mobility needs.” Pricing and availability dates of the new models have yet to be provided.
2023 Aprilia ELECTRICa Project
Although the Piaggio Group has been working on electric propulsion since 1975 – including releasing the first hybrid scooter in the world, the MP3 Hybrid, in 2009 – the Aprilia ELECTRICa project is a new concept for the company. Piaggio says the lightweight electric bike is the company’s response to the changing commuting needs in the world with a nod to “the thrilling riding experience that only a bike can provide.”
The electric motor on the ELECTRICa is positioned in the center and powers a chain final drive. The bike includes keyless ignition and LCD instrumentation. The aesthetics of the ELECTRICa carry the familiar Aprilia style, especially the modern interpretation of the triple headlamp cluster typical of all Aprilias.
The bike has compact dimensions and a low saddle height, and the company says the presence of both brake controls on the handlebar makes the transition from scooters easier.
Exact specifications, pricing, and availability were not available as of publication.
2023 Aprilia RS 660 Extrema
The 2023 Aprilia RS 660 Extrema is the sportiest and lightest RS 660 in the range, with updated and new standard equipment.
The Aprilia RS 660 has a liquid-cooled 659cc DOHC parallel-Twin making a claimed 100 hp and 49.4 lb-ft of torque at 8,500 rpm.
The 2023 RS 660 Extrema features a lighter street-legal exhaust system by SC Project with a carbon silencer positioned on the right side (and no longer beneath the engine). Also contributing to the overall reduction in weight are the carbon front fender and the new carbon engine undercover. Wet weight is a claimed 366 lb.
The RS 660 Extrema sport attributes are emphasized by the single-seat tail fairing (the passenger’s seat comes with the bike). Standard electronics on the RS 660 include traction control, cornering ABS, engine brake, engine map, and wheelie control – all adjustable – as well as five ride modes (Road and Track, three fixed and two customizable). The RS 660 Extrema also has software that allows the rider to set up the standard quick shift in a reverse-shift pattern without having to replace any bike components.
Pricing and availability of the RS 660 Extrema were not available as of publication, but we expect an MSRP north of $11,599, the list price of the 2022 Aprilia RS 660.
2023 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition
Introduced as a ready-to-ride factory bobber in 2016, the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber has an air- and oil-cooled longitudinal 853cc 90-degree V-Twin making a claimed 65 hp and 53.8 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm.
The engine sits in a twin-tube steel cradle frame. Suspension is basic, with a nonadjustable 40mm fork on the front and preload adjustable rear shocks. Stopping power comes from Brembo opposed 4-piston calipers grabbing a 320mm stainless steel floating disc up front and Brembo 2-piston calipers and a 260mm floating disc in the back. The 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels are still shod in the V9 Bobber’s characteristic oversized tires (130/90 up front, 150/80 rear).
Piaggio says the 30.9-inch seat height contributes to the bobber’s “sporty, active, and extended riding position.” The V9 Bobber has a 4.0-gal fuel tank, and the bike comes in with an overall wet weight of 463 lb.
The new Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition boasts a special Workshop twin-tone black and grey color scheme that enhances the teardrop fuel tank shape and extends to the aluminum side panels. A billet aluminum cap is a high-end touch.
The matte black brings out the Moto Guzzi branding milled on the aluminum cylinder head covers, and the familiar sound of the Moto Guzzi 850 twin cylinder is highlighted by the exhaust painted matte black with an aluminum bottom. Bar-end mirrors mounted at the ends of the handlebar, along with the fork seals and the short front fender, complete the equipment.
Pricing and availability on the 2023 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition were not available.
2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Special Edition
The Moto Guzzi V7 Stone was updated for 2021 with a larger air-cooled 853cc longitudinal 90-degree V-Twin making a claimed 65 hp at 6,800 rpm and 54 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Other updates included reduced effort from the single-disc dry clutch, a stiffer frame and bigger swingarm with a new bevel gear for the cardan shaft drive, revised damping and a longer stroke for the preload-adjustable rear shocks, an updated ABS module, and more.
The 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Special Edition features a new Arrow exhaust system, which the company says has led to gains in performance, bumping up to 65.7 hp at 6,700 rpm and 55.3 lb-ft of torque at 4,900 rpm.
From a visual standpoint, Moto Guzzi has swapped out the matte shades typical of the Stone version for a special Shining Black color scheme, enhanced on the tank with graphics and red details that recall the style traits of the Eagle brand’s sportiest models.
This sport attitude is also highlighted by the red shock springs and contrasting red stitching of the saddle, also specific to this model. A plate on the handlebar riser identifies its special edition status, and the equipment package also includes bar-end rearview mirrors and an anodized black billet aluminum fuel cap.
Previous V7 Stone models started at $8,990. Pricing and availability of the 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Special Edition were not available at publication.
2023 Piaggio 1
Piaggio has upgraded the electric motor that powers Piaggio 1 range to deliver better performance. The moped version (Piaggio 1) has a claimed 3.1 hp from its motor built into the rear wheel and has a top speed limited to 27 mph. The motorbike version (Piaggio 1 Active) reaches 4 hp and has a top speed of TK mph. Piaggio says acceleration has increased 14% on Piaggio 1 and almost 12% on Piaggio 1 Active.
The 2023 Piaggio 1 has a full technological package that includes 5.5-inch digital color instrumentation, full LED lighting, and keyless ignition. It also has an underseat storage compartment large enough to hold a full helmet.
The previous Piaggio 1+ model had a claimed range of approximately 62 miles in ECO mode and 42 miles in Sport mode, while the Piaggio 1 Active claimed 53 miles in ECO and 41 miles in Sport mode.
With both the versions, the battery is located beneath the seat and is easily removable and portable so it can be charged at home or in the office.
2023 Vespa GTV
It has been four years since the last version of a Vespa scooter was launched, but at the beginning of October, the Piaggio Group announced the release of the new 2023 Vespa GTS range, featuring a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 300cc high-performance engine (HPE) offering a claimed 23.8 hp at 8,250 rpm.
Built on the Vespa GTS base, the Vespa GTV maintains the traits of its origins but combines them with a new technological equipment package and new finishes, which Vespa says results in “an extraordinary marriage of tradition and modernity, classicism and aggressiveness, which manifests itself in the most authentically sporty Vespa ever.”
The low headlamp is LED, and the new instrumentation maintains the circular shape but is entirely digital and displays maximum speed, average speed, instant and average mileage, range, and battery charge status, as well as all call, message, and music notifications if the vehicle is connected to a smartphone through the Vespa MIA system (available as a separate accessory).
The instrumentation is connected to the handlebar using a cantilevered bracket and enveloped by a small top fairing with sport inspiration. At the center of the front shield, the Vespa “neck-tie” has lateral slits and is enhanced by decorations with orange edging. A USB port comes as standard equipment, located in the storage compartment on the back of the shield.
The Vespa GTV has a single-seat two-tone saddle with a racing look, and the rear part is designed for a hard cover color-coded to match the body and reminiscent of the typical racing Vespa fairings.
The five-spoke design of the wheel rims is also new – painted matte black with an orange graphic on the channel. On the safety front, standard features include ASR electronic traction control and ABS.
Vespa Primavera Color Vibe
The Piaggio Group says the new Vespa Primavera Color Vibe is a “tribute to the colourful and carefree Vespa universe.”
The Primavera range features air-cooled i-get (Italian Green Experience Technology) 4-stroke engines available in 50cc and 150cc versions. The new Primavera Color Vibe is characterized by a special two-tone livery: the body, available in the Arancio Impulsivo and Bianco Innocente shades, is matched with a footboard in Ottanio, a shade of turquoise.
A contrasting color “stain” is outlined in black and runs diagonally across the entire body through the dedicated graphics on the sides of the front shield and side panels. The decorations of the steering cover on the front shield are also in Ottanio, as well as the wheel rims, which were made exclusively for this version in a special glossy metallic finish.
Finally, the outfitting is completed by sporty black trim for the headlamp and taillight frames, the profile that runs along the front shield, the crest on the front fender, the front suspension spring and guard, the passenger grab handle, and the muffler cover. The saddle is black with anthracite stitching.
Vespa 946 10° Anniversario
The Vespa 946 special 10° Anniversario outfit has an exclusive dedicated color that represents a modern take on the classic Vespa green shade, a color that is described as “soft and velvety, but has a hint of acidity.” The pearlescent color appears pastel at first glance, but then gains depth with illumination.
The Piaggio Group is expanding its footprint in the U.S. South with the opening a new MotoPlex in Atlanta. The retail outlet offers service for Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa brands, as well as accessories, merchandising, and entertainment. The MotoPlex concept was launched worldwide in 2014 and hit the milestone of 500 outlets in 2019 with the opening of a MotoPlex in Istanbul, Turkey. For more information about MotoPlex Atlanta, read the press release below from Piaggio Group Americas.
The Piaggio MotoPlex retail environment continues to expand its flagship footprints across North America with the grand opening of MotoPlex Atlanta. The retail concept serves as a premium destination for two-wheeled enthusiasts with an all-Italian showcase of Piaggio Group brands: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa.
Atlanta is a strategic hub for Piaggio Group’s latest addition, which is an expansion of Georgia’s footprint with the existing Piaggio dealer Southeast Motorcycle of Savannah, Georgia. Dealer Principal Adam Gati has been one of the best performing dealers in the U.S. After 15 years with Piaggio Group brands, Gati is expanding his business operations with MotoPlex Atlanta.
Marco d’Acunzo, president and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, said in a press statement announcing the opening that Atlanta has been one of the fastest growing markets within North America for years, as well as a city that “thrives with a mix of new business and development.”
“With the addition of MotoPlex Atlanta we can offer this unique destination for two-wheeled enthusiasts in this important market,” d’Acunzo said, “while expanding our business relationship with one of our best dealership partners to their second location.”
Gati expressed excitement for the opportunity to better serve Georgia and the Atlanta market with the MotoPlex dealership.
“Our commitment to Piaggio Group goes back to 2007, and having an exclusive showroom like this within the metropolitan hub of Atlanta allows us to expand our business and further share our passion with the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa brands.”
Together under one roof, the MotoPlex retail concept provides service, accessories, merchandising, and entertainment, to give customers a unique global vision of the two-wheeled world.
MotoPlex Atlanta is located at 6401 Spring St., in Douglasville, Georgia, and joins other select Piaggio Group franchises around the world, most recently in North America with Montreal, and alongside hundreds internationally in such markets as Shanghai, Milan, Mexico City, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Dubai, and others.
It has been four years since the last version of a Vespa scooter was launched, but Piaggio Group recently announced the release of the new Vespa GTS range.
The new range comes with the standard equipment of previous models and includes four versions: the classic Vespa GTS, the contemporary GTS Super, the sporty GTS SuperSport, and the “ultratechnological” Vespa GTS SuperTech.
The Vespa GTS features a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 300cc high performance engine (HPE) offering a claimed 23.8 hp at 8,250 rpm.
The body of the new GTS family is still made of steel and has been paired with an entirely new front suspension. Maintaining the traditional, single-arm layout, the system has been redesigned in terms of functionality for greater stability, especially at high speeds, and to improve comfort and handling, thanks to the new suspension calibration. The Vespa GTS range also includes dual disc brakes, ABS, and ASR traction control.
Vespa continues to focus on ergonomics and a natural riding position, which the company says makes the scooter “extremely comfortable, enjoyable to ride and accessible to everyone.” Along these lines, the new Vespa GTS also features a new seat offering comfort for both rider and passenger, as well as optimized ergonomics for easy footing on the ground at a standstill.
The Vespa GTS also now features a keyless system to activate the ignition, open the seat, and lock the steering column, all of which can be done with the remote control.
The Vespa GTS SuperTech version will continue to offer the 4.3-inch TFT full-color display, but 3-inch analog LCD instrumentation makes its debut on all the other versions.
The Vespa GTS range comes 14 different color schemes starting at $7,799 for the GTS, $7,999 for the GTS Super, $8,099 for the GTS SuperSport, and $8,499 for the GTS SuperTech.