After more than 60 years of Vespa tradition and history, and a successful one at that, Piaggio has created a new Vespa for 2009.
The Vespa S 50 4v is a vespa with all the lightweight feel of a 50cc Vespa, but with the technology of four valves, and the intelligence of a 50 2T.
It will also have reduced consumption and better fuel efficiency than a four stroke.
Below we give you the details and specs of the new Vespa S 50 4V from Piaggio, with a sexy Vespa gallery to boot.
We don’t know about you, but we’re excited to have a new 2009 model Vespa on the market and can’t wait to see this little one zipping around Italy.
For the details, see after the jump.
The new four valve, four stroke Vespa 50 rediscovers a legendary engine size that has played a major role in the history of Vespa.
Thanks to a 4 valve cylinder head, this brand new little powerplant has nothing to fear from its two-stroke competitors.
(At 4.
35 bhp it is the most powerful 50 cc four stroke on the market.
) Yet its consumption and emission figures remain those of a typical four stroke.
The new engine is a little jewel of technology: use of a 4 valve head has led to an increase in power of over 23% compared to the previous 2 valve configuration (4.
35 bhp against 3.
53 bhp).
Power output is therefore the same as that of a high performance two-stroke.
The valve clearance adjustment mechanism has been made lighter to achieve less inertia and a more efficient rocker/valve action.
The result is higher engine speeds and more power.
Improved through-flow, also the result of the four valve head, means optimised combustion, reduced fuel consumption and lower than ever emissions.
The new engine delivers fuel consumption figures (ECE 47 cycle) identical to those of the extremely parsimonious 2 valve four stroke, and significantly better than those of the two stroke version (36% less).
The new engine has been designed, developed and industrialised at Piaggio’s headquarters in Pontedera, one of the world’s most important centres for engine R&D.
Piaggio is determined to offer today’s ever more sophisticated scooter riders performance, reliability and safety, and respect for the environment too.
The Vespa S is the first model to be equipped with the new 4 valve engine.
The brilliant new four valve 50 cc engine makes the most of the light weight of the Vespa S to offer young riders the perfect solution to their needs for personal mobility and freedom, exactly as Vespa has done for generations of teenagers, boys and girls alike.
With the Vespa S 4 Valves, however, fuel consumption and ecology are better than ever.
The Vespa S relives the fascination of the original sporty “Vespino”.
The unique styling of the Vespa S is a clever blend of past echoes and reflections, and interprets the young and sporty soul of Vespa in the present day.
The rigorous, minimalist design of the Vespa S embodies a heritage that dates back to the legendary models of the 1970s, like the 50 Special and Vespa Primavera.
The Vespa S is also available in 50 2T, 125 and 150 cc versions, all of which share the same sporting, dynamic and fresh character.
Its lines are clean and essential.
With its minimalist but decisive styling, simple yet elegant design, the Vespa S features the same dynamism and freshness that made the Vespa the favourite scooter of young people in the roaring seventies.
As has always been the case in the long history of Vespa scooters, the steel body acts as the frame.
The front suspension features a double acting hydraulic shock absorber with an aeronautical style lateral arm.
At the rear the Vespa S is equipped with a suspension system based on a double acting hydraulic monoshock.
An 11” front wheel guarantees excellent stability and gives the rider a feeling of confidence and safety.
The tyres are both tubeless, 110/70 at the front and 120/70 on the 10” rear wheel.
The braking system is a classic disc and drum combination.
VESPA 50S 4 Valves – Technical SpecificationsCycle Otto cycle – 4 strokeBore x stroke 39 x 41.
8 mmDisplacement 49.
9Compression ratio 12±0.
5:1Max.
power at crank 3.
2 kW at 8250 rpmValve gear 4 valves, single overhead camCarburettor Keihin NCV 20 mm electronic carburettor, with double air circuit operated by a PWM solenoidIgnition Inductive discharge electronic ignition with variable advance, 3D mapping and separate HT coilStarting Electric and kick startLubrication Wet sumpCooling Forced airGearbox Twist and go CVT transmission with torque assistanceClutch Automatic dry centrifugal with dampersFinal drive Gears in oil bathFrame Pressed steel body with welded reinforcementsFront suspension Leading link with coil spring and double acting hydraulic shock absorber, wheel travel 78 mmRear suspension Single arm with double acting hydraulic shock absorber and spring, wheel travel 73.
5 mmFront brake Hydraulic, 200 mm discRear brake Cable operated, 110 mm drumFront wheel Die-cast aluminium alloy – 2.
50 x 11”Rear wheel Die-cast aluminium alloy – 3.
00 x 10”Front tyre Tubeless 110/70-11″Rear tyre Tubeless 120/70-10″Length 1,755 mmWidth 740 mmSeat height 775 mmWheelbase 1,290 mm