In 2016, Piaggio launched a version of their Vespa scooter that was distinct from the others. It was named the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition. What set this scooter apart from other models in the lineup was its pricing. It stood as one of the most expensive scooters to be officially sold in India. Curious about the price? Well, the ex-showroom price of the scooter at launch was approximately Rs 12 lakh. However, just a year after its introduction, the scooter was discontinued from the market due to various reasons. While many of us considered the scooter to be excessively expensive, there were customers who actually made the purchase. Vespa seemingly managed to sell one unit of this scooter, and that very same unit is currently available for sale. Interested?
There were specific reasons behind the steep pricing of this scooter. It was an exclusive model, styled by Giorgio Armani himself, introduced to commemorate the 130th birthday of the Piaggio group and the 40th anniversary of the Armani foundation. Unlike the standard Vespa models, the Emporio Armani Edition featured a unique matte black finish. It came with a retro-style suspended single seat, full LED headlamps, an LCD instrument panel, ABS, traction control, and disc brakes for both the front and rear wheels.
As mentioned earlier, the scooter was removed from the market within a year of its launch. Piaggio attributed this decision to the conclusion of the contract with Emporio Armani. The scooter had always been marketed as a niche product, suggesting that Vespa had never intended to sell it in large numbers. One of the main reasons for the high cost of this scooter was that it was sold as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). Returning to the scooter featured in the advertisement, it is arguably India’s only Vespa 946 Emporio Armani Edition, rendering it an exclusive piece.
The scooter sported a slightly distinct design compared to the regular ones, presenting itself more as a fashion statement. It relied on the same 125 cc four-stroke single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine, producing 11.4 Bhp and 9.6 Nm of torque. A meticulously crafted Emporio Armani emblem adorned the scooter, positioned just beneath the hand-crafted single seat. The “946” in the scooter’s name signifies the year of the Vespa scooter’s inaugural production – 1946.
The advertisement was published by SBK World on their Instagram page. We engaged in a conversation with the sellers regarding the scooter, and they mentioned that this is an incredibly rare find in India. They haven’t affixed a price to the scooter, asking for Rs 12 lakh, but emphasizing that this price is open to negotiation. The sellers are currently seeking the best offers in the market, welcoming anything close to the ex-showroom price of the scooter. Numerous individuals take pleasure in collecting valuable and rare items like cars, bikes, and artwork, and this Emporio Armani edition scooter has now joined the ranks of collector’s items. Interested buyers can establish contact with the seller by clicking here.
