How far can you stretch your imagination of creativity, if you are given a chance to make a scooter as extravagant as possible? Ask Vespa, and they will show you this.

The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Limited Edition. Yes, it is quite late for this review now since the scooter has already stopped selling. It is learned that the contract between Armani and Piaggio has ended. Nonetheless, there is no dearth in admiring what has come through here. It is by far the most extravagant, exclusive and expensive scooter the world ever witnessed.

Piaggio introduced this Vespa as they celebrate their 130th anniversary and they teamed up with the legendary fashion guru Giorgio Armani which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Both these Italian fashion houses created this spectacular classy version of the original 946 and called it the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani.

Having some inspiration from the renowned designer Emporio Armani, this flagship 946 based scooter has some really cool bits to be talked about. Want to know, what all make the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition such a premium and exclusive scooter? Here’s a comprehensive review of the same:-

2017 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition
  • Engine/Motor: inline-1
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

STYLING

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2012 Vespa 946

2016 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition


Based on their flagship model, ’946’ commemorates the year 1946 in which the Vespa – the ultimate symbol of Italian elegance was born. It carries a tale of the scooter’s evolving styling cues, of its role in contemporary society, and of the creation of new lines that have taken the original design to new levels of elegance.

The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition has got a sleek and sharply designed front apron, which comes fitted with slim and vertical LED turn indicators on the sides of it. The nose-shaped vertical line running between the front apron has got the traditional three horizontal slats like other Vespas, while a chrome emblem of the Vespa 946 sits on the top-left portion of the front apron.

The handlebar of the scooter too is quite slim and short, with a centrally mounted round headlamp jutting out of the handlebar, like a popped out eye. This full LED headlamp comes with some really nice attention-to-detailing, which explains why the scooter is highly regarded in terms of design. The brake levers have got brushed aluminum finish, while the large and curvaceous rear view mirrors provide nice rear visibility.

The side body panels come adorned with Emporio Armani emblem at the bottom of it, while it gets characteristic three continuous slats at both the front and rear sides of its sides. The scooter sits on the traditional monocoque frame, which explains the bulging out center line on the floorboard. Like the side body panels, the single piece seat of the scooter too has a nice curvaceous design and is made up of genuine brown leather, under which is placed a beautiful round shaped emblem of Emporio Armani.

Behind the single piece seat, there is a small black colored luggage rack which sits atop the sloping rear profile. At the bottom center of this sloping rear panel, there is a beautifully sculpted round LED tail lamp, while the small LED turn indicators are positioned on the bottom sides of the curvy side panels.

Like most of the scooters, the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition too comes with a small luggage hook mounted on the inner side of the center portion of the body as well as an under-seat cap for a fuel tank. However, it misses out on dedicated under seat storage compartment, thus reducing its practicality. Increasing its style quotient is its beautifully sculpted turbine shaped alloy wheels at both the ends.

To add a futuristic and concept touch to the scooter, Vespa has employed a fully digital trapezoidal shaped instrument console, which displays digital readouts for speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, trip meter and clock, which gets brushed aluminum surround to it. Like the seat, the palm grips too get brown leather treatment, while the switchgear and overall build quality feels plush and top notch.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

2016 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition

Length

77.3 in

Width

28.7 in

Height

n / a

Wheelbase

55.3 in

Seat height

31.6 in

Wet weight

346 lb

Fuel Tank

2.2 gal


POWERTRAIN

Although the design of the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition is too extravagant, the performance of the scooter, however, is not as fire-breathing as one would expect. The scooter sources its power from a four stroke, single cylinder, liquid cooled, fuel injected, three valve, 125cc engine, which puts up a maximum power output 11.6 hp at 8000 rpm and 8.5 lb-ft torque at 6500 rpm.

This engine, however, is high on technology and has a linear power delivery to it. However, the scooter is on a heavier side at 346 lbs, which has taken a toll on its power-to-weight ratio. Rest assured, it is a nimble to ride scooter, which is quite adequate for your city runs. Expect a fuel economy in the range of 115 mpg, which makes it quite an economic scooter to ride around.

Like all the other scooters of Vespa, the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition too uses a CVT transmission mated to its engine. Besides the improved mileage, the 946 goes easier on the planet with the inclusion of a 3-way catalytic converter. This lowers emissions by 30% (except for C02).

Engine Specification

Make Model

2016 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition

Capacity cc

155

Bore / Stroke mm

58 / 58.6

Output

11.6 hp @ 8000 rpm

Torque

8.4 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm

Type

Single cylinder 4 strokes, with catalytic converter and electronic fuel injection, single overhead camshaft – 3 valves (2 intake, 1 exhaust)

Clutch type

Automatic dry centrifugal clutch with vibration dampers

Transmission

CVT


RIDE AND HANDLING

All the scooters are known to be agile handlers, which at the same time, impart a comfortable ride quality as well. Same is the case with the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition, as the scooter uses a sturdy monocoque frame, which is the strongest and best frame a scooter can ever get.

The scooter employs the traditional aircraft-inspired single sided trailing link front suspension, like on all other Vespas, while a monoshock does the duty at the rear. The front suspension uses Vespa’s traditional anti-dive architecture where a swing arm and shock handle the duties. The overall ride quality, along with meatier 120/70-12 front tire and 130/70-12 rear tire, is very plush and comfortable, with a superior grip on whatever the tarmac is.

The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition also comes equipped with disc brakes at both the ends, yes, you read that right. At both ends, and gets the assistance of ABS and ASR traction control systems, making it technically much advanced as well as a safer to ride scooter than all the other scooters currently available in the market.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

2016 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition

Frame

Monocoque full – sheet metal body with welded reinforcements

Suspension / Front

SINGLE LINK ARM WITH COIL SPRING AND DUAL-ACTION HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER

Suspension / Rear

COIL SPRING WITH ADJUSTABLE PRELOAD, MONO SHOCK WITH PROGRESSIVE LEVER SYSTEM

Brakes / Front

DISK, 220 MM + ABS – ASR

Brakes / Rear

DISK, 220 MM + ABS – ASR

Tires / Front

120/70 R12

Tires / Rear

130/70 R12


PRICE

The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition may be high on the aspirational value with its beautiful design and highly advanced mechanical bits. However, the one thing which made this scooter the talk of the town is its ridiculously high price tag, which stands at a whopping $ 10,999, thus making it the most expensive scooter to be on sale.

Like in all the other global markets, the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition will be available only on a made-to-order basis, which also is a factor of its high price point. The scooter will be available in a single paint shade of a dark matt green, which gives it a darkened and sober appeal.

A report on Maxabout says “The right reason behind this is the end of the contract between Armani and Piaggio, further clearing the fact that it would now be available with existing buyers around the world”. Though confusing, it may mean that the exquisite scooter might be made available via a few dealers across the world.

Make Model

2016 Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition

MSRP

$ 10,999


COMPETITION

With such a high price point and a small powertrain, there is absolutely no other scooter which cam match the exclusivity and panache of the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition. Though the Aprilia SRV 850 too is somewhat priced closer to it, but in terms of size and performance, it is a much, much bigger and more technically advanced than the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition.

VERDICT

If there is a word for exclusivity in the world of scooters, it has to be the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition. The scooter has the ability to make you an overnight star with just its overall persona. As the retro stance of the scooter has been perfectly sculpted with some very cool looking, futuristic and premium design bits and features, it gives scooter a very elusive appeal which is currently unmatched by any other scooter on sale worldwide.

The engine could have been a bit bigger and punchier for a scooter of this aura, however, given the size of it, the 125cc powertrain is quite adequate. The technically superior suspension, tires and brakes, coupled with the standard electronic riding aids like ABS and traction control, make sure that you are riding the best scooter of the lot.

The eye-watering price surely keeps the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition almost out of reach for most of the buyers and is strictly limited to very few elite prospective buyers, but the ones who could afford it, for them, the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition is a seriously prestigious collective item to have in their porch, or perhaps, as a showcase in their living room.

It was always about the show. If nothing, this scooter raised the bar for designers and fashionistas across the globe and deserved to become an icon of this generation.