The new Primavera is rolling out just in time for summer
Like the other legends of the two-wheeled world (you know which ones we’re talking about), Vespa stands as one of the most iconic vehicles of all time. But to understand how that happened, we’ll need to backtrack a little.
The original Vespa was invented in the years after the Second World War, and it was intended as a mobility solution for Europe’s ravaged roads. Back then, people needed something to navigate through the debris, while also being tough and easy to maintain.
Photo: Vespa
Piaggio’s answer was a two-wheeled vehicle with a bulbous rear and wide front panels under the handlebars. It wasn’t quite a motorcycle, and certainly didn’t look like one. What it looked like was a wasp, and so Piaggio had dubbed it the Vespa (which is the Italian word for the winged insect). The low center of gravity, the monocoque steel body, and the upright seating position made it highly maneuverable, durable, and comfortable.
It didn’t take long for the idea to catch on, and since then it’s become an icon, embodying the passion and spontaneity of the Italian lifestyle. From John Wayne and Michael Caine, to Eddie Redmayne and Penn Badgley: it’s a symbol of adventure and a love for freedom. And it’s these qualities that the Pic Nic now brings as it heads to the streets
Photo: Vespa
The Primavera Pic Nic is a limited-edition variant of the Primavera model, one of the most popular scooters throughout Vespa’s history. Tracing its roots back to the 60s, the Primavera was a lighter, sleeker version of the original Vespa, and still retains much of that appeal today. The modern Primavera, though, comes with Piaggio’s proprietary iGet engine: a single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, 150cc model that’s more fuel-efficient than the classic Vespas.
The Vespa Pic Nic Limited edition comes in country-chic style, with white, green, and gray colorways. The saddle comes in natural tones, and is made with a signature belt—a nice little touch that sets it apart even further.
Oh, and here’s the thing—this isn’t named the Pic Nic ffor nothing. There’s an entire range of accessories that go along with it: a rollable picnic blanket with leather straps and a pinstripe surface that you can strap onto the front rack; and a rattan picnic basket that has special mountings so you can attach it to the rear rack like a top box. There’s also a water bottle, a picnic tote bag, and a panama hat with the Vespa logo on the bow.
Overall, Piaggio went all-in with the theme (because freedom, individuality, spontaneity and all that). And since there aren’t going to be a lot of these going around, you can expect the PIc Nic limited edition as well as these accessories to be collectible in the future.
We know most of us are itching to head back out there, but we’re going to have to wait a while before that happens. Still, there’s no reason you can’t use the Pic Nic to get your errands done and keep mobile during the pandemic. Or maybe even head out of the city to find some place to enjoy the sunset—blanket on the ground, basket in tow, and no one else around.
Check out the gallery to see the accessories that go with the Primavera Pic Nic:
