Images from the Lambretta Thailand website showcasing the G350 model – coming soon to the UK, already going down a storm in Thailand.




More on the Lambretta Thailand site…
Just back from a flying visit to the spiritual home of the Lambretta – Milano – and to be honest – I’m pretty zonked. So my full post on the event – which was magnificent – will have to be saved for another day. But I wanted to post some pics and information of the new machines from Lambretta that were unveiled yesterday. This is just a quick snapshot – with full details – and lots more images – of the scooters coming soon.
First previewed back in 2019 at EICMA, The G350 (then designated the G325) was intended to sit at the top of the range, which then was just the 3 V Specials – in V50, V125 and V200 configurations. The G325 was originally due to be on the market by now – but then we had “the spanner in the works” that was Covid. It now looks like Lambretta will reach full production of the machine – now upgraded to a 350cc power unit by the end of this year. Long term readers of the blog might rember I predicted the 350 capacity back in July last year… just saying. Though clearly a modern machine, designed for today, there are clear styling cues in common with classic Lambretta models… full details will follow soon.
So, we’d had the the G350 previewed… but the real suprise in Milan yestereday was a completley new model, the X300. This is the start of a completely new model line for Lambretta. Another high-end, steel monocoque machine – but with even more radical styling than the G350. Now, voices of dissent are going to come from the radical traditionalist voices of the Lambretta community – but we are living in 2022 – not 1963! Again, a full report, with my full impressions of the machine to follow – but my first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. A stunning machine, which looks great from lots of different angles… and the quality of the fit and finish is immediately obvious.
Lots more coming soon. Stay tuned.
So – I’m probably going to get in trouble for this – but hey-ho… I’ve got a trusted “source” at Lambretta, and they’ve shared this image of the new forthcoming Lambretta model – tentatively called the “G-Special” for now – that will be in full production early next year.
Pictured is the the final prototype frame for the G350 concept previously shown at EICMA 2019 as G325. It’s a solid steel “full-monocoque” frame/chassis – with – in the classic Lambretta tradition – fully removable steel side panels – (side panels not shown in this pic). Now, I know certain Lambrettisti that may criticize the monocoque approach – but its an approach Lambretta have used in previously – so there’s nothing inherently ‘non-Lambretta’ about a monocoque! The current V-Special has a semi-monocoque frame.
Clearly, a lot of thought and effort has gone into designing a ‘best of class’ modern scooter that still has Lambretta DNA. Lambretta are being very close-lipped about engine sizes – and after showing the G325 model at EICMA; 325cc was the expected capacity – but my source tells me the model is referred to internally as the “G350” – so I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions! A 350 from Lambretta would be a real beast – and bring Lambretta right back into dominance in the “Classic Modern Scooter” category… and who doesn’t want to see Lambretta back on top where they belong! It’s not all about speed and power though – there are also plans for a fully high-powered electric version of the G-Special in the pipeline.
Interesting times, and good to see that the Lambretta brand is still innovating well into the the 2020’s – with ambitious plans to take their scooters to the next level!
I’ve got a question. At what point do we stop calling the Lambretta V-Special “The New Lambretta”? For the classic Lambretta rider, I suspect it will always be ‘The New Lambretta.”
Anyway, here’s some rather nice photography from the official Facebook page (I’m sure they won’t mind). Any of my readers got one of these? Care to share your experience of owning and riding one? And one last question for Classic Lambretta lovers, (who I suspect make up the majority of my visitors) who were initially sceptical of the “New Lambretta” is the V-Special ‘growing on you’ at all yet? If not, what would it take to change your mind?
I love my classic Lambretta. But if I could have a modern scooter as well, there’s only one option.
If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the official Lambretta Facebook page, or visit their websites, here: https://www.lambretta.com/scooters or https://www.lambrettascooters.com
A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing through the Scooter Restorations site, as I often do when I have a spare ten minutes. I’ve posted a few desirable rare Lambrettas for sale on the blog. Now, I know they specialise in ‘rare’ Lambretta parts, from the model A onwards… But I noticed they had (a few) parts for a Lambretta Amiga. A Lambretta that it never even made it to production. In fact, even pictures of it are rare… although there does appear to be a prototype in the Museo de la Industria Armera in Eibar, Spain. (If the name Eibar doesn’t ring a bell, it probably should, it’s the industrial town in the spanish Basque Country – Euskadi – where Lambretta’s were manufactured (sometimes under the name Serveta).
So it’s rare. We’ve established that. But is it desirable? Well, maybe. But I would hazard a guess at ‘only to a completist’ or only to people really into 80’s/90’s design.
Spanish machines are increasingly sought after in the UK, the Eibar Lambretta Winter Model and Serveta Jet 200 being particularly prized. The last real model to roll off the production line was the Serveta Lince (Spanish for Lynx), which was still very recognisably a Lambretta – albeit – like a 60’s pop star with a facelift and a spray-tan – a Lambretta with a distinctly 80’s make-over.
I wrote about the Lince back in 2013 – here – since then my opinions on many things have mellowed, but sadly not my rather forthright views on the Vespa PX. Anyway I digress. Not like me is it? Back to The Lince. Sadly, although a modest success (over 1,500 made) the Lince was not going to secure the future of Spanish Lambretta production. So it was back the the drawing board, and in 1987, it probably was still designed on a drawing board, CAD being in it’s infancy. I’ll tell you one thing though, they made good use of their rulers that day.
The Amiga was Spain’s attempt to take The Lambretta brand into the ’90s… and one thing you can definitely say of The Lambretta Amiga was that it’s of it’s time. In typical late 80’s fashion anything resembling a sensuous curve was squared off – it was straight lines all the way, baby.
And it wasn’t the only product they had in mind either, there was a rather funky looking trike – The Lambretta Tron – and an Lambro/Vespa Ape type commercial vehicle – The Motocarro Lambretta. The Tron even made it to prototype stage – I can feel another post coming on.
Back to the Amiga. Although it never made it past the prototype stage, there was big talk at the time of The Amiga being “The New Lambretta”. I remember reading an article about it (probably in Scootering) and being absolutely horrified – having a real “What the fuck have they done” moment, and thinking it was like a stormtrooper crossed with a Honda Melody. And not in a good way. (The design of the Honda Melody has aged pretty well, actually, but back in the late 80’s, to any Lambretta or Vespa rider the words Honda and Melody were about the worst insults you could throw at a machine). Anyway. I’ve waffled on far too long. There’s some Amiga bits on eBay, here. Basically, a frame (with some bits bolted on – the fuel tank and the rear shock), the forks and front wheel, and the headset, including the distinctive speedo. There’s no bodywork, seat or engine, although I’d imagine a standard Lambretta/Serveta lump would fit.
A final note, I’m pretty sure that when I originally looked, Scooter Restorations had an Amiga speedometer in stock. It’s now showing as “out of stock”. Which begs the question… “Who bought it?” and “Why?” Is someone out there building an Amiga? I’d love to know! If it’s you, please get in touch, I love to know more!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything about the New Lambretta… The Vendetta, or V-Special as it is variously known. News has been a little thin on the ground, although I’ve spotted more than a few buzzing around. long term readers will know I’m more of a ‘classic’ man, but you’ve got to admit, if you’re in the market for a modern scooter, you won’t get a better looking one than a Lambretta… These images are from the Lambretta UK site.
You know that it’s being regarded as a ‘proper’ Lambretta when a company as well regarded as The Rimini Lambretta Centre gets involved – and, in the spirit of the great scooter dealers of the 60’s, makes a “Dealer Special” …and very nice it looks too. Check out their website, a must for all Lambretta fans,
Finally, for now, are some V-Specials in GP based paint, that seems to be an option for the Asian market only – for the time being at least. I’m sure there would be a great demand for them in the rest of the world too. I’m a particular fan of the grey. From the Nuova Lambretta Facebook page.
So, do you have a “Nuova Lambretta”? How are you getting on with it? Have you customised it? Got any pictures you want featured on the blog? Get in touch!
UPDATE: I’ve added a list of New Lambretta dealers (starting with the UK), here.
I’ve had this image leaked to me by a trusted source within Lambretta – apparently, it’s one of the first images of the rumoured new Lambretta – with a ‘ghost light’ feature – when you approach the scooter, it projects a Lambretta logo onto the ground! Pretty cool!
The rumour is of a pretty powerful power unit too – up to 325cc!! Expect a few tweaks to the look of the scooter too – an evolution of the current “V Special” design.
Expect more to be revealed at EICMA in November!
If you like your pictures a little more move-y, here’s a couple of short movies. I think the scoot in the Casa Performance Race Livery looks fantastic. If any of the models on the stand is going to win over a few of the sceptics, it’s that ‘un.
Originally posted on YouTube by VespaErik
Some pics of the New Lambretta Vendetta at EICMA (the annual trade show for motorcycles in Milan).
Looks pretty good, even sans totty…
Looking good in Race Livery…
Some merch…
LIDS
New official Lambretta helmets… colour matched to the new models. I suspect these will go down well, even with hardcore traditionalists
A new flagship carbon fibre model…
Like their forebears, there are now some official accessories, racks, screens and more.
That’s it for now. I think the quality of ‘fit and finish’ on project Vendetta is becoming plain to see. More pics, with details of how you can get hold of one, and how much it’s going to cost you, coming soon.
Love these design concept renderings for the new Lambretta Vendetta by Kiska, Europe’s largest independent design agency, who had the task of creating a modern version of the world’s finest motor scooter. They had a tough brief… they were told:
Well, I think they’ve nailed that brief. Initial feedback from the launch of the Vendetta has been generally excellent. There have been grumblings from some of the ‘old school’, but even they have admitted ‘it wasn’t designed for them’.
There will always be a place for the classic Lambretta, and there are innovations today than ever to keep our magnificent machines on the road. But the Vendetta is a Lambretta for the 21st century, to take on the likes of the Vespa 946. I think it meets that niche admirably!
Now… back to the pics 🙂
Towards a catalogue of London’s interdimensional gateways
Musings and books from a grunty overthinker
Specialising in Lambretta restorations, repairs & parts
independent scooter magazine
High quality ads for WordPress
They've done the hard work. Can YOU finish it?
Business & Marketing Consultant
Classic Motorcycle Restoration in Scotland
You’ve earned it. You deserve it. Buy it now.
1979 to 1986
A great WordPress.com site