Iconic Italian scooter brand Vespa relaunched in India

The 'Vespa' name isn't new to India. With a partnership with Bajaj first and then with LML, Vespa is a household name in India with a lot of fond memories associated with it. Now, after more than a decade since it left India, Vespa is trying to recreate the old magic. Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of Piaggio Group of Italy has launched the Vespa LX125 recently to compete with other automatic scooters like Honda Activa, Aviator and TVS Wego. As the suffix suggests, the LX125 is powered by an all-new single cylinder, 125cc, 4-stroke engine that was specifically developed for the Indian market. This 3-valve, air-cooled engine that comes with a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT), produces a maximum power of 9.92 bhp @ 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 10.6 Nm at 6000 rpm.

But, just look at it and the Vespa makes you forget all the statistics and specifications. Who needs power and speed when there is so much style and substance on offer? The classic, timeless design of the original Vespa that vowed people across the world many decades back continues to do the same, thanks to the LX125 following a sincerely retro theme. Starting with the round headlamp up front to the stubby rear, everything on the Vespa LX125 shouts 'retro'. Thankfully, the design stays true and pays tribute to the original Vespa of yore. The vintage 'Vespa' fonts and badges all around and the overdose of chrome will ensure that you get envious stares wherever you go. While Piaggio has got the Vespa's design spot-on, the same can't be said about its standard features.

The absence of disc brake and telescopic suspension at the front is a blunder, given that every other worthy competitor offers them as standard. With production only recently flagged off at a spanking new manufacturing facility at Baramati in Maharashtra, the build quality and reliability of the Indian Vespas are still suspects. Though the classy styling may make you forget all these, the price wouldn't let you do that. At INR 66,661 ex-showroom Maharashtra, the Vespa LX125 will prick and hurt you where it matters the most. Scooters like Honda Activa and TVS Wego offer much more for much less money and the Vespa might have a tough time convincing buyers once the initial hype around its fantastic design subsides. Now, that's really bad, as we wish to see more of these 66 year-old Italian beauties roaming our roads.