Lambrettista blog World Exclusive – a first look at the NEW G Special Frame…

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!

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World first – Video evidence of an Electric Lambretta under development!

In another first for the Lambrettista Blog – here’s the first – leaked* videos of the New ELECTRIC Lambretta Vendetta!

It seems that Lambretta have teamed up with electric scooter pioneers (and Red Dot Design Award winners) NIU – There’s not a lot of data to share at the moment – although it’s rumoured that Token Hu – Vice president of NIU (and formerly of Frog Design and Microsoft) is heading up the project personally. I expect that as much as an electric powertrain they will be bringing their innovative Smart technology to the project.

I’ve posted a few times about electric vehicles (EV) on the blog before – and firmly believe they are the future of transportation – on two wheels or more. So, what you see here is truly the next generation of Lambretta – a brand that is going to be as relevant and innovative in the 21st century as the 20th. Exciting times!

This is the next step in  the evolution of the Lambretta. Remember where you saw it first! Stay tuned, and I’ll share more information when I can.

*Feel free to share – but please don’t ask where I got these videos – I have to protect my sources!

Latest whispers on the L70 Lambretta Vendetta

unnamed-5Further rumours (from a reliable source) have reached Lambrettista Towers concerning the new official Lambretta. The name, Vendetta, as suspected, refers to the ongoing family rivalry between Vespa and Lambretta. L70 is the code name referencing Lambretta’s 70th anniversary in 2017.

The scooter is going to be a “No Compromise” high-end machine… aimed at customers who are willing to pay a little more for a quality product. So, it’s not some cheap, ‘plastic fantastic’.

The rumoured specs are interesting (and positive) too;  Steel cage bodywork built around a tubular frame, steel legshields, aluminium handlebars/switches and decorative trim, removable sidepanels with interchangeable plastic, sheet metal and carbon fibre options. Initial Vendetta models will be powered by a range of air-cooled engines, in 50, 125 and 180cc capacities. There is talk of a water-cooled model in development. (If you read an earlier version of this post I’d got this the wrong way round).

There is also plans for a range of aftermarket parts. Stock plastic parts will be interchangeable with carbon fibre parts. The sidepanels will be 3d printable or steel. There’s serious talk of a high-performance tuning kit. So, much like a classic Lambretta, you’ll be able to specify and customise your Vendetta ‘your way’.

As mentioned in previous posts, the scooter is designed by Internationally renowned design house Kiska (famous for their relaunch of the classic Swedish Husqvarna motorcycle marque and ongoing work with the ever innovative Austrian brand KTM).

Detailed specs will follow soon, keep watching this space.

 

The future (and the past) of classic scootering?

Enjoy riding your noisy, dirty, smelly 2stroke while you can ladies and gentlemen. It’s just a matter of time before classic scooters are consigned to “collections” and legislated out of existence… and we’ll all be sitting in our robot driven hydrogen fuel-celled Google cars… maybe. Or maybe the future is electric vehicles… we’ve already seen an Electric Lambretta… and a production scooter from a company with a heritage in classic scoots and electric vehicles is on the way. Albeit a heritage I had absolutely no idea about until yesterday.

First, a bit of history

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Lohner was an Austrian company. G’day! No. Read it again. Austrian. Around 1900 they were producing electric cars… designed by a certain Ferdinand Porsche. Ahead of the curve there! After a rocky history, and  diversifying into many other vehicles such as trams and aircraft… like many companies in the early fifties tried to get in on the booming scooter market. The most well known of these scooters was the Lohner 125 (pictured above). I say it was well known… but it’s a scooter that’s new to me. To my eyes… despite following the germanic “roller” style of having the large enclosed front end incorporating the legshields and mudguard… I’ve seen uglier scooters. After merging with Rotax, who made the engines, they left scooter production behind and became involved in the production of agricultural, military and commercial vehicles. Eventually they were bought by Bombardier.

Now, the future?

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Well, the Lohner name, and scooter is back. From what I can gather from the website, members of the original Lohner family are still very much involved. And in looking to the future they looked to their company heritage for inspiration.  What they have come up with is a “new class vehicle”… the Lohner Stroler… a radical looking  e-biike  – and probably of more interest to readers of this blog, the Lohner LEA. The Roller LEA is a twenty-first century reincarnation of the 1950’s original L125-Roller. IMG_158960635 IMG_159260635 IMG_160317654 IMG_168117654 IMG_168717654

Pretty cool, huh? It’s got that retro thing going with a hint modern hot-rod aesthetic… while giving a big nod to their heritage. A tough trick to pull off, looking funky, modern and old school all at once.

The LEA will go into production in the spring, and is a available for pre-order right now.

Find out more, including full specifications on the website.

The Scomadi’s are coming…

10406830_10152713158068545_8173392206311166508_nFull production of the eagerly awaited Scomadi Scooter range – the modern auto with classic Lambretta good looks – is well under way. Dealers are being appointed around the country and the range is being showcased at the prestigous INTERMOT Köln Motorcycle Show. Perhaps even more interesting in the long run are rumours of an Electric Scomadi doing the rounds, with a prototype on display at London Fashion Week. Keep up to date on the Scomadi Facebook page.
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Dot Net

dot_branning_large_1You may have noticed the URL of this site has changed… to lambrettista.net don’t worry, the old ‘un (lambrettist.wordpress.com) still works, so all your bookmarks etc.,should be fine. There’s hopefully going to be some exciting (well, for me anyway, but I’m easily excited) developments coming soon. Watch this space!

EuroLambretta 2014 – Davos, Switzerland

EuroLambretta 2014 FlyerIf you couldn’t make it to EuroLambretta 2013, which is about to kick off any minute now, or youron your way / already there and you are already thinking about next years, it’s in Davos, Switzerland. Now the only two things I know about Davos, are 1) They hold financial summits for the G8 countries there, and 2) It sounds a bit like Davros… leader of the Daleks. So I won’t be much help. But maybe this Wikipedia article will.

The dates are 27th– 29th June, and more details will be forthcoming, once the current Euro is over, from the Lambretta Club Swiss.

It’s actually only 2 miles further than Avignon, according to a quick bit of ‘research’ on Google Maps, but I have heard that Switzerland is quite “hilly”.
I expect this rally will run like clockwork.

New 50cc Lambretta’s sneak onto the market

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Ok, so I’ve been a little busy… (hence the lack of recent updates on here) but I have kept my eye on the happenings in the Lambretta world. Don’t quite know how I missed this (Although to be fair I did flag it up in November). 

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But it looks like the good people behind the new Lambretta LN have snuck out a couple of new models without telling me. From what I can gather there is three new models… the LS50 (Top pic,green flashes on the sidepanels)… which sneaks in at just under £3k (ouch!) and the (slightly) more affordable LT (middle pic – the red one) and LJ (last pic, headlight on the horncasting)… which come in at just under £2k. All three look like they will be available form February or March next year, but orders are being taken now. More facts, figures, roadtests etc.when I get them.

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They are available from Eddy Bullet and other good scooter dealers.
(If you’re a dealer, and you are stocking them, know any more, or even want to let me have a test ride so I can write about them, get in touch and I’ll link to you). 

Latest Lambretta shots from Milan show

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A couple of images from the EICMA show in Milan… these red ones look like the “LS” model previously announced (I’ve heard that maybe LS stands for “Little Sister” although this migh just be a nickname), all one colour, and also a variant with the headlight on the horncast, as in the original LC’s, LD’s and LI Series 1’s. Seems a bit odd to be incorporating a design feature Lambretta abandoned in 1959, but that’s fashion for you… and there are plenty of modern scooters with the headlight in this position. True, it removes the problem of that big ugly headlight on the LN, but I don’t think it’s wholey successful design wise. 

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The final shot, below is back to ‘big brother’ the LN… but this time finished in silver and blue. I think this colourway might be for the 150cc model only, which is rumoured to be “for Italy only”. If the LN is going to be popular in the UK, I can see us wanting 150’s, 200’s, 250’s and even 300’s over here to thank you!

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Lambretta LS news… and a new set of initials the Lambretta LJ…

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Right, hope I haven’t got my wires crossed here, as I’m getting my news, in the original Italian, hot from the 2011 EICMA show in Milan. It looks like the 50cc Lambretta LS is due for an “early 2012” launch, (alongside larger 125 and 150cc versions) These will be sold alongside the LN 125 and 150. There is also talk of another model the LJ… although this may just be one of the variants of the LS with a 2-stroke 50cc engine (J for junior – Lambretta Junior? Just a guess).

The other news is that Lambretta have an electric LN in development… no specs yet but a 7kw engine and an estimated range of 100km… interesting… I wonder if they read this post about the electric model D conversion!

As ever, stay tuned, and when I know, you’ll know! 

Info via motorino.it