Autoblog

Piaggio Group brings the goods to EICMA 2012

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:31:00 EST

From the adorable Vespa 946 to the brawny Moto Guzzi California 1400 and the go-anywhere Aprilia Caponord 1200, the Piaggio Group came to the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show armed with an array of hardware. When it comes to that plucky Vespa 946, engineers approached the bike with an eye toward incorporating modern technology and efficiencies to a classic design. The result is a scooter with all LED lighting and an engine capable of yielding 129 miles per gallon. That figure is thanks in part to a new focus on weight savings. The 946 ditches steel for aluminum in its side plates, fenders and seat for the first time.

Too demure for your tastes? The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring and Custom models boast the largest production twin-cylinder engine ever built in Europe, according to the company. At 1380 cc, the big twin cranks out 96 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque, but it's the impressive amount of detail lavished on the bikes that make them special. Moto Guzzi went so far as to screen print lettering on the machine's valve covers for a little extra flair. Take some time to chew on the gallery above. You'll be glad you did.

Finally, the 2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200 offers adventure riders an alternative to all those BMW GS, KTM Adventure and Triumph Tiger models rolling around. The Caponord 1200 uses the frame from the company's Dorsoduro 1200 paired with a 1197 cc V-twin engine. There's 128 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque to be had from the configuration, and engineers lavished the bike with a raft of rider aids. Those include traction control, ride-by-wire, separate engine maps and dual-channel ABS, to name a few. Shovel out a few extra dollars, and Aprilia will serve up the company's semi-adaptive suspension as well. Riders facing down cooler weather will also appreciate the adjustable windshield and heated grips.

Again, be sure to scroll through the high-res galleries above and below to take in all the incessantly Italian detailing.

Piaggio Group brings the goods to EICMA 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jet-powered scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Lamborghini, Motorcycle, Humor

Jet-Powered Scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo - Click above to watch video after the jump

We love ourselves a good drag race, but sometimes two-equally matched vehicles going head-to-head down a straight gets a bit boring. This is where ingenuity, bravery and a lack of self-preservation come in handy. Apparently, the Swedish have figured out a sure-fire way to spice up your standard 1,320-foot race. Take one Peugeot scooter (the video incorrectly calls it a Vespa), add a small jet-engine to the back and let ~~Charlie Pace from Lost~~ a rider line up next to a Lamborghini Gallardo.

It's a jet-powered David versus an Italian Goliath. More importantly, it's the type of racing we can wholeheartedly get behind... and you can watch the video for yourself after the jump. Anybody want to guess the winner? Thanks for the tip, Per Eriksson!
[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Jet-powered scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo

Video: Jet-powered scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Celebrating 60 years with the women of Vespa

Devon Brozek — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Motorcycle

"Hello, would you like cake with your Vespa?"- Click above to watch the video after the jump

When you hear the term biker babes, the images that fill your mind may include bleach blond hair and the scant use of finely crafted leather bikinis. So you probably haven't stopped to consider the sexier side of the scooter industry, right? Don't feel bad - we needed a little encouragement too.

Usually when talking Vespa, we may be covering a new model release, maybe explaining how practical the "wasps" could be for your urban commute or that Sunday trip to the beach. Who knew beyond their cool, iconic exterior that Vespa has had so many run-ins with the fairer sex over the years? When we stumbled across this video history of the women of Vespa, it seemed the right thing to do was pass it along. Sexy, cool classic - Vespa knows just how to get our attention. Click past the break to see for yourself.

[Source: SoloMotoTreinta via Twowheelsblog]

Continue reading Video: Celebrating 60 years with the women of Vespa

Video: Celebrating 60 years with the women of Vespa originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works?

Devon Brozek — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle, Rumormill

Could it be true? The rumormill is running overtime with reports of a potential merger between a pair of our favorite two-wheeled giants: Ducati and Piaggio.

Piaggio has no comment on the matter, refusing to either confirm or deny the supposed Ducati deal. Still, we can't help but run through the what-ifs, assuming there's a shred of truth to this. Perhaps we'll finally see some stability in the U.S. surrounding the many great brands under Piaggio's roof.

Could Piaggio's broad scope of product (currently offered throughout the Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia lines), coupled with the stable dealer network Ducati has built, be the recipe for a successful challenge to rivals from Japan and beyond? Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

[Source: Motoblog.it via Two Wheels Blog]

Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Piccolo Grande: Stretch-limo Vespa?

Dan Roth — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Motorcycle, Specialty

A stretch-limo Vespa may still garner a fist to the face, but this attention-grabbing idea is better than the last flash of brilliance Vespa South Africa Managing Director Andy Reid put into action. That plan involved fake parking tickets being placed guerrilla-style on large vehicles to drive the point about Vespa's fuel efficient image.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em seems to be the latest modus operandi. Aimed square at the blingy-glam heart of the public at large, a custom Vespa "stretch limo" has been whipped up to generate publicity. Vespa calls it a family car on two wheels and intimates that children will dig going to school on it. Maybe the going part. Other glitterati-friendly uses abound: be the designated driver and still park outside the front door (didn't know that was a problem?), make friends and drag them home, all in one swift, conjoined-twin-motorscooter motion. The reality is more likely that this thing is a dog to ride. It's akin to surfing a pipeline while standing at the very front of your longboard on your tiptoes. Now that would certainly get your attention, now wouldn't it? Exactly. Hat tip to Robin!

[Source: Motoring.co.za via Neatorama]

Piccolo Grande: Stretch-limo Vespa? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The official ride of the neo-Maxwell Smart? Vespa.

Dan Roth — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Celebrities

Poor Maxwell Smart. In the original series, Agent 86 started off pretty cool with a Sunbeam Tiger before the relative demotion to a Karmann Ghia convertible. This summer's retread of the Don Adams vehicle has Steve Carell fighting KAOS with an appropriately crime-fighterly Vespa LX150. With fuel prices pushing or past $4/gallon in a lot of places, things are tight at CONTROL, and the Vespa gets better mileage than pretty much any car. If you want to see what it's like to roll like Maxwell Smart, pay a visit to a Vespa dealer, they're offering free Subway gift cards in exchange for a test drive or product demonstration (hear that, Neff? Free lunch!). A Vespa did feature in the original series, so giving a role to the scooter in the new version isn't without precedent, though an Eos might have been more historically correct.

[Source: Inside Line]

The official ride of the neo-Maxwell Smart? Vespa. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 May 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is that a cannon in your Vespa or are you just happy to see me?

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 17:53:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

This scooter looks terribly exciting, till you learn that it needs Viagra. Sure, this Vespa Acma packs a badass barrel, but it was designed for transporting the cannons, not blasting other motorists. We wonder what the little 145cc engine would do when faced with the recoil, as well.

We'll admit that our French isn't what it once was, but the gist we took away from some research was that ACMA was a licensed assembler of Vespas in France and it was used by French Paratroopers in the late 1950s. The intimidation factor of puttering around on an "armed" Vespa would be fun. We're not sure how these looked on the battlefield though. We can't imagine that it'd be intimidating to see the troops roll in with olive drab Vespas. Even if they had a mortar barrel and shells on it, we think you'd surrender to laughter first. Apparently, though, these things were like the all-purpose little scooter that could. They even dropped them out of planes with parachutes. Still, it all smacks of something out of Monty Python to us, no matter how lethal. We also wonder if the riding posture is um, erect.

[Source: Hemmings]

Is that a cannon in your Vespa or are you just happy to see me? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Dec 2006 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What to do when high gas prices turn your Dream Cruise into a nightmare

Erin Mays — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:26:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Misc. Auto Shows

To some, the Woodward Dream Cruise is a heavenly celebration of America's love affair with the automobile. Just driving down Woodward these last few days has made people feel like the cars they're driving are a little bit cooler, the music they're cranking is a little bit better and the style they're sporting is a little more kickin'. For others, however, the Cruise and the gasoline consumption inherent therein is a wanton abuse of natural resources and a gluttonous disrespect for the atmosphere.

Could it be that Dream Cruising and Green Living are mutually-exclusive? Read on after the jump to find out.

Continue reading What to do when high gas prices turn your Dream Cruise into a nightmare

What to do when high gas prices turn your Dream Cruise into a nightmare originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High gas prices lead a third of Americans to consider scooters

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 23 May 2006 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Trends

Are you a scooterist? A new survey released Monday shows that roughly a third of Americans are thinking about it, with 30 percent of U.S. consumers saying they'd consider using a scooter. When consumers were asked if they'd be likely to use a scooter if they could save $25 a week on gas, 35 percent said yes.

The survey was sponsored by Piaggio Group, makers of the iconic Vespa and other two-wheelers (and three-wheelers!), which enjoyed 15 percent U.S. sales growth in 2005. The company expects scooter manufacturers to enjoy record sales this summer.

[Source: Piaggio Group Americas]

High gas prices lead a third of Americans to consider scooters originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 May 2006 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Piaggio MP3 three-wheel scooter

John Neff — Mon, 15 May 2006 13:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe

The famous Vespa scooter you always see nauseatingly trendy characters tool around on in TV shows and movies was launched by Piaggio in 1946. Fifty years later the company is introducing the MP3, a three-wheeled scooter with two 12-inch donuts up front and one in the rear. Both front wheels tilt independently to provide extreme levels of stability for a little scooter and better braking thanks to the extra disc. You can forget about a kickstand too, as the MP3's tilt suspension can be locked and easily balance the scooter upright while parked or at stoplights. The system is designed to automatically unlock the tilt mechanisms again at speed. Power for the MP3 is provided by either a 125cc or 250cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine. Seems like the perfect piece of transport for the cramped cobblestone streets of Europe.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Piaggio MP3 three-wheel scooter originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 May 2006 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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