Italian premium two-wheeler manufacturer, Piaggio has launched the BS6 Vespa VXL and the Vespa SXL in India at the price of INR 1,22,664 and INR 1,26,650 ex-showroom, Delhi, respectively. The new BS6 Vespa called the VXL 149 and SXL 149 and replace the BS4 compliant VXL 150 and SXL 150 with a new fuel-injected 149cc BS6 emission compliant engine.
In terms of its exterior design, the VXL 149 comes with slight refreshed front apron, rounded LED headlamp, rounded chrome treated mirrors, new ergonomic seats, satin finish alloy wheels, under-seat luggage storage, digital-analogue instrumentation console, chrome embellishments, aluminium brake levers, rubberized footboard, chrome pillion grab handle and broader tubeless tyres.
The SXL 149 features rectangular LED headlamp, new look on the front apron, rectangular mirrors with a chrome treatment, 5-spoke black-finish alloy wheels, contoured seats, chrome pillion grab rail, semi-digital instruments console, broader tubeless tyres, under-seat storage compartment, rubberized footboard, chrome embellishments, satin chrome belt line along the front apron and five exterior paint options.
Both the VXL 149 and SXL 149 is powered by the same BS6 compliant 149cc single-cylinder, 3-valve with an aluminium cylinder head and roller rocker arm equipped overhead cam along with Fuel Injection, variable spark timing management, map sensor and 3 catalytic converters. The engine produces 10.4 Bhp of power and 10.6 Nm of torque matched to a continuously variable transmission.
In terms of mechanical hardware, the Vespa VXL 149 and SXL 149 comes with a Full-Steel Monocoque body construction that rides on aircraft derived single-sided arm suspension with Anti-Dive characteristics on the front and a single dual-effect hydraulic shock absorber on the rear. Stopping power comes from 200mm ventilated single disc on the front with ABS and 140mm mechanically operated, internally expanding shoe type rear drum brake. The scooter also features a link spring mechanism between the engine and the Monocoque frame which provides stability at high speeds by balancing mechanical trail and stabilizing torque which offers low-speed balance and accurate steering.