Piaggio is planning to launch a new sub-200cc scooter within the next one and half years in the Indian market. Presently the Italian brand has a product portfolio between the 125cc – 150cc segment. According to a media report, the brand is clear that it does not want to compete below the 125cc segment and Piaggio wants to expand in the premium scooter segment. The company already dominates the 150cc scooter segment with its Vespa 150 and Aprilia SR 150. If the brand launches a scooter close to the 200cc segment it will have no competition in the scooter market in India, as of now.
The new scooter is expected to have fuel injection as standard and will conform to the new safety and emission norms.
Piaggio sells the Vespa ZX 125 CBS as the most affordable 125cc in thier portfolio in India. The Vespa ZX 125 CBS is powered by a 125cc, single-cylinder, three-valve engine which produces 10.06 PS of power @ 7,500 RPM and 9.9 Nm of torque @ 6,250 RPM and is coupled to a CVT gearbox. The scooter has a carburetor fuel delivery system. For its suspension, it offers a single-sided trailing arm hydraulic shock on the front and a hydraulic monoshock on the rear. The ZX 125 CBS gets a disc brake on the front and mechanically operated internally expanding drum brakes on the rear wheel.
Under the Aprilia brand, Piaggio sells the Aprilia SR 150 which is powered by a 154.8cc, 3-valve, air/fan cooled, motor producing 10.02 HP of power @ 6750 RPM and 10.9 Nm of torque @ 5000 RPM. The brakes on the SR 150 are a 220mm hydraulically operated single disc with 2-piston caliper equipped with ABS on the front and a 140mm diameter, internally expanding mechanical drum brake on the rear.
Piaggio is expected to showcase the upcoming scooter in a concept form at the 2020 Auto Expo. The brand may in future compete with Lambretta, expected to re-enter the Indian market in 2020.