••UPDATE•• A couple more pics, in true Lambretta fashion, of pretty girls draped over the new LN model. A trusted source has told me that the Motom Electronics Group are not the only company with a "new Lambretta" in the pipeline, and what little I have seen of the "other" Lambretta, it is even more in line with the sprit of the original… watch this space!
Forget the royal wedding, the good news today is there's a new Lambretta is back in production! It's due to go on sale in 2011, and it's being made in Italy.
This new model (designated the LN) is very much a 21st century machine, with a modern twin valve, single cylinder, air cooled engine (in either 125 or 150cc incarnations). My sources don't say, but I expect due to European emission regulations it will be a four stroke rather than the 2-stroke engine the original Lambretta's were famous for. And while the mechanical are all very up to date, there is a definite retro feel about the styling… picking up cues from Lambretta's "golden age" of the 1960's when the produced such iconic machines as the
SX200.
So, so I like it? Well, yes, kind of. Although I like some of the lines, parts of it look a bit "clunky". The area around the headlights and horncasting just look bulky and ugly to me. Perhaps they'll grow on me… and I'd have to see one in the flesh before I completely made my mind up. And there are some other cons for me… it looks kind of, well, plasticky. Classic Lambretta's were made to last. Of steel.
On the plus side, less steel means less weight. I haven't seen any specs yet, but I have little doubt it will weigh in at about half the weight of an original LI 150, with better performance, handling and fuel consumption. And there are modern refinements such as electric start, and even indicators.
Would I buy one? Probably not. I'll stick to my fifty year old Series II, while I save my pennies for a Morgan ThreeWheeler. But there's a lot of new, retro styled scooters out there at the moment, and none of them (other than Vespa of course), have the cachet of the iconic Lambretta brand name. I hope they sell a ton of them.
••UPDATE•• A couple more pics, and a the official press release…
"Eicma Milan 2010 - Lambretta Press Release
Milan, the city where one was born in 1947, born from the intuition of Ferdinando Innocenti and the engineer Pier Luigi Torre’s expertise.
Now with virtually the same lines as back then, a unique design that has contributed significantly to its success.
Lambretta, from the 50's to the 70's was a part of Italian’s custom. Sleek, sporty and nonconformist, the Lambretta revolutionised the way we travel, making scootering more agile, practical and economical.
Throughout her life, Lambretta has obviously undergone several metamorphoses dictated by changing times, but has always kept the soul of a scooter compact and safe, although we must not forget its excellent performance.The Lambretta was loved everywhere. Just think of England's phenomenon, the Mods, young trendy people who in the 50's and 60's chose to identify themselves by two symbols: the British Air Force and that of Lambretta.
Those were times of glory, great satisfaction and national pride.Today Motom Electronics Group SPA has an all-Italian project, that aims to revive the legend after a long absence.
For 38 years, Lambretta has survived only in museums, in clubs and among scooter collectors . Now she‘s back on the road.
Welcome Back Lambretta!"
A couple of issues with the above… there's a rumour that the machine isn't exactly "all Italian" as described, that it will be manufactured and assembled in China, and shipped over to Italy to have a few badges screwed on. Now I'm not saying that's a necessarily a bad thing… but it's certainly not 'as described' in the literature. And it's not exactly an abscense of 38 years, as for many years Lambretta's have been produced under license in India… and you can pick up a "new" Indian GP at many UK dealers.
A technical issue, if you can read the small print in the above image of the sales brochure, and can speak Italian, you'll see the "power" of the 125 version is rated at 6.5kW, – and 7.5kW for the 150cc model. Does anybody with any technical nous know what that mean for the mph? What do similarly rated equivalent twist'n'go scooters do?
The new Lambretta LN horncast badge… probably my favourite element of the new Lambretta.
Oh, and I posted an image of the "Lambretta man" character they are using to promote the new machine, always loved him, can anybody get me one of these?
From what Is see around the internet on the subject, reception is mixed. Most hardcore "Lambrettaista" hate it, but I suppose the 'classic' crowd (to which I belong), are quite a niche market, and Motom Electronics are aiming for a more mainstream audience. Personally, I think it's a step in the right direction, and it's good to see the Lambretta brand on a new scooter, rather than clothing, watches and wallets… which has little to do with the original, scooter brand.
