Vespa PX scooter tested

Price: £2,899
Contact: 00800 818 29800, www.vespa-scooters.co.uk

The Vespa PX is a motoring icon – up there with the Mini and VW Beetle. Yet unlike reborn versions of the two cars, the newly revived scooter retains a great deal of the original’s features and charm.

The PX was axed three years ago, but now it’s back, with minor styling changes and a 123cc two-stroke engine that meets Euro 3 emissions regulations. The steel body is still present, as is the kickstart, although the PX will fire up from an ignition switch, too. It runs on tiny 10-inch wheels, with a spare under one of the rear covers and the engine beneath the other. Completing the retro appeal is a manual choke, two-stroke oil gauge and fuel tap.

You shift between the four gears via the left-hand twist-grip, while the revvy motor pops and bangs like the original. Progress is swift in town, but our model struggled to top 50mph. Those little wheels don’t help stability, and cornering can be erratic. But the PX is light in traffic, with decent stopping power, although the rear brake pedal is awkward to reach.

Modern automatic scooters are faster, easier to ride and more practical – yet they can’t match the experience of the chic PX.

Verdict

Rating: ★★★
What is it?
An iconic old scooter which with a modern twist
Problems?
The handling demands attention and it’s not as user-friendly as rivals, plus there’s no helmet storage.
Why buy?
A seriously cool machine with an involving ride makes this a stylish city commuter.