Rome, the eternal city. Loud and alive. Messy and gorgeous. Vibrant and beautiful. And right in the middle: myriads of scooter riders who rush through the cars, buses, trucks and streams of tourists as if there were no tomorrow. Smartphone between ear and jet helmet, bare ankles in sneakers, sunglasses at any time. If you don’t go crazy with the Dolce Vita joie de vivre here, you can’t be helped. That’s probably what Piaggio’s product strategists thought when they were looking for the right place to present the new Vespa GTS.
The top model of the original scooter brand is at home in Rome like no other scooter. “A new Vespa is not just a new Vespa, it is a new icon,” announces Piaggio spokesman Fabio Gilardenghi. The morning briefing before the test ride of the new GTS 300 begins with these unctuous words. The “Big Body” Vespa, with its characteristic bodywork, is as Italian as pasta and espresso. And now better than ever.
This is primarily due to the new brakes and the completely revised single-sided swingarm. In combination with the new spring strut, the front swing arm now brings a sovereignty and calmness to the chassis that one would never have expected from the Vespa with its cute twelve-inch wheels. No vibrations when driving, no rattling or rumbling, plus a sonorous, pleasantly restrained sound. The engine responds promptly to gas commands. Effortlessly and confidently, he pushes the nearly 158-kilogram Vespa forward. Definitely with verve and emphasis, but completely unexcited.
The Piaggio designers have put a lot of effort into the body: the new LED turn signals are optically integrated flush into the front shield. At the rear, narrow LED indicators compete with a Fiat 500-style LED taillight. The wider handlebars improve ergonomics. This is also due to the newly formed benches. Depending on the model, they are upholstered differently. The seating position is good as usual, but sublime and fits perfectly with the grandeur of the Vespa GTS.
Four model variants are on offer: GTS, GTS Super, GTS Super Sport and GTS Super Tech. The equipment differs, for example, in the attachments and colors. The prices of the GTS 300 range from 6999 euros to 7499 euros. The GTS 125 costs 1000 euros less each. The performance of the model variants is the same: almost 24 hp for the Vespa GTS 300 and 14 hp for the Vespa GTS 125. The footwell or the storage area for the shod feet could be a little larger. But well, who cares about the banal and functional dimensions of a style icon?
From now on, everything is started uniformly using a keyless system. Means: having the key with you is enough. As a GTS 125, the Vespa has a switchable automatic start & stop as standard. The big sister does without it. A total of 14 paint finishes are available. Super Sport and Super Tech are adorned with jagged color accents on the front fender, in the three inlet openings of the “tie” on the lower leg shield and on the rear fender cheeks. Depending on the model, the mirrors, the lamp ring of the LED headlight and the rear grab handle for the passenger are chrome-plated or glossy black. The controls on the handlebars are uniformly embedded on a chrome plate.
The seat opens with a remote release on the key or with a button on the right of the handlebar. A full-face helmet does not fit in, but there is space for two jet helmets. Attachments such as top cases of different sizes or folding luggage racks for the front and rear create space for other goods to be transported. In addition to ABS – also on the 125 – the large GTS also has a very attentive and sensitive traction control (ASR) on board. Depending on the model, there are two cockpits. In addition to smartphone integration, the fully digital variant also masters route guidance via the Piaggio Mia app and arrow navigation.
The proven engine is still an excellent drive. At the traffic light, the Vespa GTS 300 is gone in no time. Accelerate and go through the middle is the motto. The maximum torque of 26 Newton meters is perfectly sufficient here. Piaggio specifies an economical consumption of 3.3 liters per 100 kilometers. In Rome it was 3.5 liters or less than three liters for the Vespa GTS 125 (2.6 l/100 km). Who is still asking about electromobility? (Ralf Bielfeldt/cen)
Specifications Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport
Drive: 1-cylinder four-stroke, 278 ccm, swing arm, CVT
Power: 17.5 kW / 24 hp at 8250 rpm
Max. torque: 26 Nm at 5250 rpm
Top speed: 120 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: not specified
Tank capacity: 8.5 liters
Seat height: 790mm
Weight: 158 kg (ready to drive)
Standard consumption: 3.3 l/100 km
CO2 emissions: 75 g/km
Test consumption: 3.5 l/100 km
Price: 7399 euros (delivery costs depending on the dealer)