Vespa LX and Vespa LX S 3V 2012

Wasp it is one of the symbols of Italian style and elegance. In over 65 years of history, Vespa has gone beyond its commuting function by identifying itself with a lifestyle that has its cornerstones in values ​​such as freedom, beauty and respect for the world around us. It has become a citizen of the world, spread across the five continents in over seventeen million specimens.

Vespa, in the various eras it has crossed, has always represented the state of the art of technology. Characterized by an extremely advanced concept of load-bearing bodywork, completely built in steel, Vespa marked the evolution of individual mobility.

Vespa LX and Vespa S are the best-selling two-wheelers in Europe and, at the same time, the best-selling European vehicle in the USA which today renews a technological record with the adoption of new, highly advanced 125 and 150cc engines which set new global benchmarks for the reduction of consumption and emission levels.

Since 1946, the year of its birth, Vespa has been able to change the habits of city transport, introducing for the first time a simple, practical and dynamic way of moving, combined with an elegance capable of creating fashion and immediately becoming a classic, appreciated by users of every latitude and every generation.

An authentic icon of metropolitan transport, the representative of Made in Italy in the world for style and refinement, the most loved urban recreational vehicle, recognized for its sturdiness and reliability and widespread in sixty-six years of history in over seventeen million units on the road roads of the world.

The most evident ability of Vespa has always been to constantly redefine its technical and stylistic characteristics, without ever betraying the distinctive spirit of an easy, accessible vehicle, but with a unique class. A fortunate practice also followed by the current LX and S models.

THE NEW ENGINES: 3 STATE OF THE ART VALVES

The evolution of the Vespa has always had the concept of form/function as a key element. The development over time has taken place in compliance with some essential and consolidated technical and stylistic choices, constantly innovating the contents. A new engine makes its debut on Vespa LX and Vespa S, rightly considered the state of the art in this segment and destined to be ahead of its time due to its excellent performance and minimum levels of consumption and emissions. With the new and technologically advanced 125-150 4T 3-valve engine, Piaggio opens, once again, a window onto the future of engine technology.

It is an air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder engine, with single overhead camshaft distribution, 3 valves (2 intake and 1 exhaust) and electronic injection fuel, designed and built in the Pontedera factories, among the research centers and development worldwide, with the aim of increasing performance and reducing fuel consumption and polluting emissions. To obtain greater performance, scrupulous study work was carried out to reduce friction and improve fluid dynamics.

The new crankshaft, with connecting rod button and reduced main bearing capacity, the camshaft pivoted on bearings and the roller rocker arms have brought about a notable improvement in operating friction, benefiting performance and reducing consumption. The bore and stroke values ​​are new (reduced and increased respectively), to the benefit of torque and readiness to control the accelerator. 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 innovative distribution thus allows the charging motions of the mixture in the cylinder to be improved; the combustion process is further refined by the new position of the spark plug, which at the same time guarantees better cooling of the internal organs of the head, as well as easier maintenance.

The cooling system was the subject of a careful analysis, also through thermo-fluid dynamic simulations, to further improve its performance, obtaining a significant reduction in mechanical noise and absorbed power. The electronic injection fuel system is very advanced, featuring automatic idle control and continuous cycle fuel content management, with the introduction of the effective Lambda probe. A latest generation control unit is responsible for controlling the advance, title and timing mappings.

An engine so rich in technological cues is perfectly combined with the new freewheel electric starter, which is quieter and more efficient. Furthermore, the dry centrifugal automatic transmission has been calibrated with the aim of maximizing performance and minimizing consumption at low speeds. The 3V engine also has the important advantage of weighing less than the 2V of the previous series.

The 3-valve technology, available on the engines that equip Vespa LX and Vespa S in the 125 and 150 cc displacements, allows a clear improvement in performance compared to the previous generation engines: the maximum power of the 125 improves by 7,1% , while the maximum torque of 10,3%; the time to cover the acceleration from 0 to 60 meters decreases by 2%, while the maximum speed increases by 2,2%. The same goes for Vespa LX and Vespa S 3V 150 cc: power and maximum torque increase respectively by 6,3 and 7,8%, with a decrease in covering acceleration from 0 to 60 meters of 5% and an increase in maximum speed by 3%.

Despite the significant increases in performance, fuel consumption drops drastically: at a speed of 50 km/h you can travel 55 km/l (around 30% more than the previous generation engine). This means that in one year of use (during which the Vespa customer travels an average of 4.000 km) at least 34 liters of fuel are saved which corresponds to 1.500 km of additional travel. Furthermore, the maintenance intervals, now scheduled at 10.000 km, allow the new 3V engine to have further reduced running costs.

VESPA LX 125/150 3V – THE CLASSIC FOREVER

The style

Vespa fascinates not only for the refinement of its unique technical choices but also for the passion and feelings it manages to convey. On the new Vespa LX 3V the shapes of the bodywork favor pleasantly sober, certainly elegant and unquestionably "Vespa" features. Vespa LX takes up the stylistic themes consisting of modern lines set in the most classic of Vespa traditions, enriching itself with new design cues that underline its belonging to the brand. The Piaggio Style Center focused in particular on the "tie", i.e. the raised central cover that runs from the handlebars to the mudguard, which has now become a refined point of distinction for the Vespa. The front thus acquires modernity, at the same time abandoning some of the rounded shapes of the previous version, in favor of others that are decidedly more modern. In this context, the chromed mask that hides the horn turns out to be the final touch of class, confirmed by the inevitable crest, also chromed, fixed on the mudguard, elements explicitly inspired by historical Vespa models.

The front mudguard has more decisive features and covers the 11-inch wheel, fitted on an elegant 5-spoke aluminum rim. The upper part of the shield, large and protective, is characterized by the mask that incorporates the round headlight, another clear reference to Vespa examples that have made history. On the side, the steel mirrors are designed to provide the driver with the best view, without compromising on style and finish. A further touch of class is offered by the knobs featuring the Vespa logo. The numerous chrome details shown on the front of the vehicle are taken up by others on the rear, such as the headlight frame and the stylish grab handle for the passenger.

The finishes are particularly accurate in the instrumentation, revised in the graphics, to make it more visible in any light condition. The large panel of the Vespa LX 125 and 150 3V includes a speedometer and odometer, a fuel level indicator, a digital clock and, in addition, a series of service warning lights such as direction indicators, low beam and high beam headlights , fuel reserve and engine oil level as well as lubricant. Standard on Vespa LX 125 and 150 3V is the anti-theft immobilizer whose operation is highlighted by the bright LED inserted in the instrumentation.

In the back shield of the Vespa LX there is a practical storage compartment, very useful in daily use for storing small objects such as a rain jacket, glasses or gloves. The load capacity is also ensured by the large compartment under the saddle, capable of hosting a helmet, and by the presence of the bag hook, essential for making full use of the practicality of the large footboard. Another distinctive point of the new Vespa LX lies precisely on the footboard: the central protection in plastic material has been enriched by the Vespa logo, a widely followed custom in the world of four wheels.

The success of the Vespa was also determined by the perfect balance between the volumes of the front part and those of the rear part, in which the large platform plays a decisive role, as an element of union between the shield and the bodies that hide the engine. Particular attention was paid to the creation of the saddle, both in terms of style and practicality. From the first point of view, the refined material with which it is made and the particular stitching make it a real design object. The foams selected for the padding and the anti-slip cover are combined with one of the lowest ground clearances (775 mm for LX 50 and 785 mm for LX 125 and 150), features that enhance comfort on board a famous vehicle for the perfect ergonomics offered to drivers and passengers of all heights.

Cycling: a unique solution in the world

The peculiar and essential characteristic of every Vespa has always been the steel load-bearing structure, which acts as a solid and robust frame. A one-of-a-kind construction tradition, precious and refined, created with a cutting-edge industrial process. It is a technical choice of very high quality which has the advantage of making the Vespa exceptionally robust, practically indestructible, while at the same time offering stability and driving precision.

The front suspension is one of the most original elements of the Vespa. Despite boasting aeronautical origins, it was initially introduced to make it possible to replace the front tire immediately in the event of a puncture. Thanks to numerous and constant evolutions over time, the lateral single-sided swing arm equipped with a double-acting shock absorber has become an effective solution to make journeys even more comfortable. On Vespa LX 3V the movement of the oscillating arm is articulated on roller bearings which reduce operating friction to a minimum.

In the most classic of traditions, the rear suspension of the Vespa LX 3V consists of a shock absorber with double-acting spring, adjustable in preload to 4 positions, to allow the damping characteristics to be best adapted depending on the load or the driver's tastes .

The wheel rims are made of aluminum and boast a refined five-spoke design: the 11" front houses a 110/70 tyre, while the 10" rear fits a 120/70, both tubeless. To make the Vespa LX 3V safe in all conditions, the braking system uses a 200 mm diameter disc at the front and a 110 mm drum at the rear, both powerful and modular, also suitable for beginners.

The new Vespa LX range is made up of 4 models: the 125 3V, the 150 3V and two 50 cc engines, one 2-stroke, the other 4-stroke and 4 valves, both air-cooled.

The color range includes (for all models) five different shades: Vulcano Black, Montebianco, Dragon Red, Midnight Blue, Portovenere Green. The same technical characteristics of the Vespa LX are found unchanged on the special series that is more protective and suitable for travel outside the metropolis, called Touring, available in the Tuscan Terra Brown color variant.

The range of dedicated accessories is very rich

• Top case: matching the vehicle and featuring an embossed chrome Vespa logo, it has a capacity of 32 litres.
• Top Box Inner Bag: Made of high quality leather and heavy woven cotton.
• Backrest for top case: a useful accessory to guarantee maximum comfort for the passenger. Available both in combination with the standard saddle and with the leather one, provided as an accessory.
• Windshield: made of shock-proof and chip-proof methacrylate, 4 mm thick.
• Chrome: various chrome accessories are available, such as the front and rear luggage rack, the perimeter protection of the bodies and that of the front mudguard. All enriched by the laser engraved Vespa logo.
• Windshield: an extra touch of elegance and sportiness, with transparent or smoked glass.
• Mat: useful for protecting the platform and ensuring maximum grip in all conditions.
• Vehicle cover: an essential accessory to protect the Vespa when not in use.
• Genuine leather saddle: handcrafted with high quality materials, it is available in dark red or tobacco.
• Knobs: made from billet aluminum and finished with eco-leather, they are available in red, black and brown.
• Leg cover: practical and quick to assemble, it offers excellent protection from the cold and atmospheric agents. It is equipped with a seat cover and integrated anti-theft device.
• Electronic anti-theft: maximum security against theft. It has dedicated wiring.
• Mechanical anti-theft: practical handlebar locking system, convenient because you don't need to bend down to activate it and clean because it doesn't have to be inserted into the wheels. When not used, it remains fixed between the saddle and the footrest (it does not take up space under the saddle).

VESPA S 125/150 3V – THE MYTH OF THE SPORTY “VESPINO”

Vespa S collects the legacy of legendary models of the 70s, such as Vespa 50 Special and Vespa Primavera, offering a game of highly fascinating references and citations. It is the sportiest and most youthful “small body” Vespa there is. The lines express dynamism and freshness, with their clean and essential, but certainly gritty, features. It is a Vespa that makes minimalist design its point of distinction, to definitively meet the approval of the youngest. The square headlight, the more decisive design of the mudguards and the profile of the seat are the unmistakable salient features of the Vespa S, which match well with the red color choice of the shock absorber spring and the new graphics of the instruments.

For 2012 Vespa S gains new aesthetic details, capable of making it even more lively and sporty. Like the Vespa LX, the mask on the front shield, the so-called tie, which now distinguishes all the latest generation Vespa vehicles, is new on the S version. On this occasion, the graphics of the instruments were revised, while the horn protection on the shield and the crest on the front mudguard lose their elegant chrome finish, gaining a much more aggressive black one. The five-spoke wheel rims are in the same color. On the Vespa S, as on the LX, the new plastic protection on the footboard is standard, embellished with the Vespa logo.

Four engines for four versions: like Vespa LX, Vespa S is available in displacements of 50 cc (with 2-stroke engine or 4-stroke and 4 valves), 125 and 150 cc, the latter two equipped with the innovative 3-valve engine powered with electronic injection, at the top of the category for the level of performance expressed and for the truly reduced rate of consumption and polluting emissions. An engine that boasts management costs reduced to a minimum, also thanks to maintenance intervals extended to 10.000 kilometres.

The 50 2-stroke of the Hi-Per2 series is aimed at a public looking for brilliant performance, perfect for moving quickly in the metropolitan environment. The 50-stroke 4 boasts a modern 4-valve distribution that allows lively acceleration: it is in fact the most powerful 50-stroke 4 cc on the market, with its 4,35 HP delivered in a very linear manner, in relation to consumption and emissions very low pollutants.

There are four color variants available: Lucido Black, Montebianco, Dragon Red, Mediterranean Blue. The special Sport version is available in the aggressive Nero Abisso colour.

The rich range of accessories lives up to the coat of arms of the brand and model. In addition to all the items already provided for the Vespa LX (except the leather saddle and the backrest for the top case), it also includes various details with a black finish, such as the luggage rack and front and rear bumpers, as well as a kit of adhesive graphics in three variants graphics, to personalize Vespa S making it unique.