Vespa 946, aim to reinvent the future

The story of Wasp it is the story of a continuous technical and stylistic evolution which, since the first models, has seen the most famous two-wheeler in the world evolve to anticipate social changes. Often from one model to the next the changes have been minimal, sometimes more important but always in compliance with an original idea which placed elegance, technical avant-garde and driving pleasure at the center of the project.

Throughout its more than sixty years of life, however, there have been some turning points, moments of more marked renewal. These are just a few milestones in the Vespa evolutionary line that have influenced its continuation for generations.

Vespa 946 presents itself today as a new model destined to become a legend in the Vespa epic. The years of the digital revolution require the entire human race to rethink, to reflect when we are about to cross a line beyond which nothing will ever be the same as before. Vespa 946 is the protagonist of this world in tumultuous evolution and finds in its origins the stylistic features to design itself as a champion of modernity, of stylistic and technological avant-garde.

THE STYLE: REINVENTING THE FUTURE
A look at the 946 brings to mind the inspiration and inventive capacity that gave life to the original Vespa idea. Behind the breathtaking lines of the first scooter with a load-bearing body, there is now advanced technology, designed to progress from a user and eco-friendly perspective. Like the MP6 prototype that inspired it, the Vespa 946 seems to be born directly from the best technology of the time in which it lives. It is the dynamic model of the beginning of a new era. The MP6 prototype was conceived as a pure line, free from the obligations imposed by industrialization, not yet bound by construction choices that would later condition the shapes of the Vespa.

The concepts that inspired that clarity of form have been taken up and accentuated thanks to the possibilities that, almost seventy years later, are made possible by the most modern materials and the most advanced production processes.

The completely bare back of the Vespa 946 is enhanced by the bold and elegant solution of the suspended saddle. Only refined aluminum die-casting can support it while also maintaining aesthetic lightness. Thus, from a continuous play between the designer's pencil and technological knowledge in the use of materials, the Vespa 946 was born.

The load-bearing bodywork is as precious as a modern sculpture. The Piaggio Style Center has carried out important and innovative work on the surfaces and sections, thinking of decisive signs which, without betraying the softness of lines that every Vespa must have, spread the light in an alternation of concave and convex shapes, which tend the general line giving a new and very modern dynamism to the 946. Marked by the side slits, the bare body thus takes on a vaguely biomorphic and absolutely futuristic shape.

The 2013 Vespa 946 Collection will have the bodywork painted only in Black and White and named “Ricordo Italiano”. In fact, it is a production destined to cease at the end of the year - the Vespa 946 2014 Collection is already being studied - so much so that
make the Vespa 946 models made in 2013 authentic unique and unrepeatable pieces.

Vespa 946 definitely breaks with the shapes of the current - and successful - Vespa families. Always available in "small body" (the current LX and S series) and "large body" (represented by GTS and GTV) Vespa now sees the birth of a completely new vehicle which, while referring to the more classic canons, interrupts the constant evolution of design in a sort of fascinating “back to the future”.

As always in the history of the Vespa, the body is a steel body - now embellished with aluminum parts among which the mudguard and side covers stand out - which also has a load-bearing function by welcoming and supporting the engine, transmission and all the mechanical parts.

The masterful construction quality and the nobility of the materials used distinguish the Vespa 946 from any other two-wheeler in the world. The use of aluminum contributes to the definition of breathtaking aesthetics and contributes to reducing the overall weight of the vehicle, thus increasing overall energy efficiency.

Vespa 946 distills and condenses in itself the best characteristics of the Vespas that preceded it in the decades, admirably interweaving the best of the characteristics of the various Vespa families. The wheelbase, exceeding that of the large GTS, testifies to an important and stable vehicle. But the very light line and the steering angle similar to that of the small LX make it exceptionally agile.

The front mudguard entirely made of aluminum covers the 12-inch wheel with the usual elegance. The same size that characterizes the rear cover. The detachable rims, made of aluminum alloy, whose fins are intended to be a reference to the historic drum brake that equipped the first Vespas, are the largest size ever achieved on a Vespa and further embellish the 946. The braking system, at seeking maximum safety, it has double discs and is completed by the two-channel ABS system controlled by a control unit with specific software.

A MASTERPIECE OF ITALIAN MANUFACTURING
Details such as the knobs covered and sewn by hand with needle and thread, the aluminum parts inserted manually, one by one into the supporting steel body, a dedicated production line, more similar to a haute couture atelier than an assembly line: Vespa 946 is built by man's expertise, piece by piece, with artisanal care and with the exaltation of manual work as in the most precious Italian manufacturing.

The department in which the Vespa 946 is assembled is completely new, with a very modern and technologically cutting-edge concept. The assembly line represents a unique example, specially designed and built for this milestone in the history of Vespa, and creates a wonderful union between the most advanced production technologies and meticulous craftsmanship. Each 946 is welcomed into its own mechanized "island" (AGV - Automatic Guided Vehicles) which, automatically moving on a magnetically guided path, and therefore
avoiding any suspended structure and works fixed to the floor, he accompanies it to the various processing stations.

Here the Vespa, anchored to a mechanical arm, can be rotated freely on three axes, effortlessly, without any stress on the body. So as to allow total access of the operator's hands to the various parts, guarantee maximum ergonomics and ensure accurate manual processing, as in the highest artisan work.

The Vespa 946 was born precious right from the design of the systems intended to build it, so the creation of the molds itself involved painstaking verification and simulation work.

2.320 mm of arc welding and 320 welding points on the body are necessary to create the metal body of the Vespa 946, and are testimony to a construction quality unrivaled in the world. Just as many innovations, together with the creation of exclusive systems for the new Vespa, have been implemented for the painting process.

The creation of the precious parts in die-cast aluminum required the definition of specific technical measures both for the die-casting phase and in the metal processing department. The same artisanal care is ensured to
handling operations with specific definition of procedures and packaging to protect the semi-finished products and the precious parts that make up the Vespa 946.

The perfection of the materials and the care in assembly are monitored continuously, at every stage of production and the extraordinary final quality is guaranteed by the application of rigorous and completely innovative control procedures.

The finished Vespa is placed in a wooden platform that will accompany it on its shipment, completely wrapped in a protective bag.

Traveling with the precious 946 is a kit intended for the lucky final owner which includes: the Log Book (an elegant volume which illustrates the genesis of the Vespa 946, reveals its unique design and construction and which is personalized inside with the chassis data and production of the specimen), the use and maintenance booklet and the warranty booklet.

The box also contains a chromed aluminum cover intended to embellish the area of ​​attachment of the saddle to the bodywork, it is one of the characterizing aesthetic features of the 946 which will be installed on the Vespa upon delivery to the customer. The cover is personalized with the laser-engraved writing “Ricordo Italiano” which characterizes the 2013 collection, and the year of construction is also engraved on the comatose aluminium. Inside it also contains the barcode and the alphanumeric identification code of the specimen.

An equipment that makes the experience of owning a highly coveted vehicle, destined for history and which will see its value grow over time, even more exclusive.

A TECHNICAL JEWEL
The suspension department of the Vespa 946 uses the classic swinging arm at the front, one of Vespa's stylistic features since the first example, while at the rear it stands out for the use of an innovative solution. In fact, for the first time in the history of Vespa the suspension is made up of a gas unit with preload adjustable to five positions mounted horizontally with a sophisticated progressive return system. A solution that allowed us to create the pure and ethereal line of the rear of the Vespa 946.

The lights are one of the distinctive elements of the Vespa 946. In particular, the headlight stands out as it is made with full LED technology with a heat dissipation system. The rear light and the elegant direction indicators are also completely LED technology, flush with the bodywork so as not to affect the lines of the Vespa. Equal technological elegance distinguishes the full LCD multifunction dashboard.

The saddle, mounted on an aluminum base, is an extraordinary design element, capable of gracefully marking the overall design of the Vespa 946, at the service of functionality. Hinged to the body thanks to a die-cast aluminum support, the seat for the driver and passenger is handmade in fine fabric
pre-waterproofed.

Vespa 946 is equipped with the innovative ASR traction control, an advanced electronic system that prevents the rear wheel from slipping, avoiding loss of grip and always guaranteeing the best traction. An exclusive technological refinement from the Piaggio Group, for the first time on a Vespa.

A VERY MODERN AND ECOLOGICAL HEART
Vespa 946 opens a window onto the future also in terms of technology applied to engines. The beating heart of the Vespa 946 is a very modern engine that reveals the lines of development of the engines of the future, characterized by reduced consumption and drastic reduction in gaseous and noise emissions.

The 125 cc single-cylinder 4-stroke, 3-valve, air-cooled and powered by electronic injection, represents the state of the art of the Piaggio Group's technology in scooter engines.

The engine was entirely designed, developed and built in Pontedera, in the Piaggio Group's largest plant, one of the most important and advanced research, development and production centers in the engine field in the world. An engine born from the challenge that today sees the Group engaged in offering, to an increasingly advanced customer, products that guarantee not only performance, reliability and safety but also the certainty of driving a vehicle that is increasingly respectful of the environment.

To obtain greater performance and at the same time reduce consumption and emissions, scrupulous study work was carried out to reduce friction and improve fluid dynamics.

The innovative 3-valve distribution that characterizes the Vespa 946 engine allows the motions of the charge in the cylinder to be optimized both in terms of tumble and swirl as well as positioning the spark plug in the optimal point, improving the efficiency of the combustion process and while ensuring optimal cooling of the internal parts of the head.

Bearings have been used for all moving parts to minimize internal friction: the distribution rocker arms have rollers, to the full advantage of silence and mechanical efficiency, the camshaft is on bearings, as are all the final reducer.

In the search for the best relationship between performance and consumption, the 3-valve distribution solution is the most effective, as it improves intake, increasing engine efficiency compared to conventional 2-valve engines.

The cooling system was the subject of a careful analysis to further improve its performance, thus obtaining a significant reduction in acoustic terms and absorbed power.

The injection system is state of the art in terms of functionality and driveability, with automatic idle control and closed-loop title management with lambda probe. The three-dimensional maps of advance, title and injection timing are managed by a latest generation control unit. Together with the trivalent catalyst, compliance with the Euro3 regulation is guaranteed with wide margins, also with a view to future regulations, which will be increasingly stringent in terms of containing polluting emissions.

The shaft power performance (8,5 kW at 8.750 rpm) and torque (9,6 Nm at 7.750 rpm) place the new 125 3V Vespa 946 at the top of its category.

Despite the superior performance levels, excellent results have been achieved in reducing fuel consumption: the Vespa 946 travels up to 50 km on one liter of petrol. Furthermore, the maintenance intervals, now scheduled at 10.000 km, allow the new 3V engine to have extremely low running costs.

ACCESSORIES AND RIDERS COLLECTION
The richness of this jewel could not be without a series of precious complements. The genuine leather grips and saddles, the delightfully small windshield, the chromed aluminum luggage rack ready to accommodate the leather helmet bag are, in addition to accessories that increase the functionality of the Vespa 946, true style details. Designed and manufactured with the same craftsmanship dedicated to the 946, the line of accessories also includes aluminum covers for the front wheel hub and underseat, winter protection for the driver's legs and hand covers.

For the Vespa 946, the VPM (Vespa Multimedia Platform) is available which allows the smartphone to communicate with the electronic system of the Vespa 946, transforming the screen of the device into a real on-board computer capable of displaying a series of additional information, compared to the already rich supplied instruments, report anomalies such as wear or low tire pressure, provide information on the route and calculate routes.

A protective cover made of lycra is dedicated to the Vespa 946 which enhances the breathtaking lines of the most precious Vespa, even when resting. Carbon fiber helmets, leather document holders personalized with the Vespa 946 logo and a collection of polo shirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts are available to the proud owner who also wants to wear the timeless elegance of the Vespa.

Enriching the Vespa 946 with such exclusive details will become a privilege and a further exercise in style. A sign of personality. Before the vehicle, its owner.

Vespa 946 – Technology
Tradition and innovation: Steel sheet load-bearing body with aluminum elements: handlebars, saddle support, side panels, front mudguard, rear-view mirror supports.
Maximum security: double 220 mm disc brake, dual-channel ABS braking system, ASR electronic traction control. Large 12-inch wheels, separable aluminum alloy rims.
Ecology and economy: 125 cc 3V electronic injection engine, top-of-the-category fuel consumption and emissions reduction.
Technology and style: LED headlight with heat dissipation system, LED rear light and turn signals, full LCD multifunction dashboard.