Vespa GTS 310

From a press release issued by Piaggio Group:

The world's most beloved two-wheeler reiterates its technological supremacy, which, along with its sophisticated Italian lines, make it a true icon of our times. Never in almost eighty years of its unique history has Vespa gone so far in terms of displacement and performance. The new GTS 310 has an all-new engine, making it the most powerful and responsive Vespa of all time.

There are three variants of the Vespa 310 GTS:
Vespa GTS is sober and pared back yet sophisticated, and comes in Beige Avvolgente, Nero Convinto and Verde Amabile colours: an explosion of metallic shades that represent the most authentic essence of the Vespa. Every detail is enhanced with stylish chrome plating, including the edge of the body, the typical “tie” shaped badge, the front suspension spring, the headlight surround and the exhaust muffler cover. The grey seat, with vertical heat-sealed seams on the seat and tone-on-tone stitching, matches the grips and rubber inserts on the footrests, which are also grey. The wheel rims are painted grey.

The Vespa GTS Super version adds a high level of sportiness, drawing on the heritage of legendary sports models such as the Vespa GS 150 of 1955, the Vespa 180 SS of 1965 right up to the T5 “Pole Position” of 1985. Immediately recognisable from its graphite-tone rims with diamond finish and the double-covered seat with piping, it comes in two shiny pastel colours: Bianco Innocente and Rosso Coraggioso, as well as the metallic Nero Convinto. The host of chrome finishes are complimented by sporty black details, such as the grips and rubber inserts on the footrests, as well as the front suspension spring.

The Vespa GTS SuperSport is the ultimate sports version of the Vespa: its bold, edgy character is immediately clear from the graphite-coloured rims with dedicated graphics and the range of black details, including the profile which runs around the edge of the bodywork. The typical “tie” shaped badge on the front shield boasts a new carbon-look finish, made even more striking by the fluorescent orange details. The seat is black and features a seat with horizontal heat-sealed seams and contrasting double stitching in fluorescent orange. This model is available in five different colours, further enhanced by specially-designed new graphics: the glossy colours Blu Eclettico and Bianco Innocente are accompanied by Grigio Travolgente Opaco, Nero Convinto Opaco and Verde Ambizioso Opaco.
A new engine for the flagship GTS.

The new GTS 310 has landed, declaring itself the Vespa to beat all records: it is the most powerful, responsive and rapid ever made in the near eighty-year history of the world's most beloved scooter.
At the heart of this evolution is the new 310 cc engine: using the state-of-the-art liquid-cooled 278 cc engine as a starting point, this extraordinary unit introduces further key improvements, with more than 70% of the components completely new, along with new dimensions which usher in new and improved performance.

The stroke of the single-cylinder increases from 63 to just over 70 mm, boosting the displacement from 278 to 310 cc, and the power to 25 hp. The torque has also been increased, and the longer stroke offers even greater flexibility when riding.

These technical advancements serve to further enhance the already extraordinary ease of riding the Vespa. The torque - which is delivered even at low speeds, and is available as soon as the throttle is opened - gives the scooter powerful yet progressive acceleration when navigating urban environments that require the rider to slow down and then speed up again, and while the vibration and noise levels were already minimal on previous models, the new engine slashes these even further.

All in all, this engine represents a clear technical evolution which provides completely new riding sensations when in the seat of the Vespa GTS 310, combining power and smoothness and rendering every ride even more effortless and enjoyable. The “Sporting Gran Turismo” qualities of the Vespa flagship scooter are thus enhanced by unprecedented performance levels and an even more thrilling ride.

Accordingly, the new engine ensures that the Vespa GTS is as ideal for metropolitan environments as it is for the weekend trips or summer escapes that have always been a core part of the Vespa’s character.

Among other components, the power train incorporates new injectors, a tilted cylinder, a new starting system, and a crankcase design that significantly reduces mechanical and drive belt noise. The new engine meets the Euro 5+ standard, and is not only more powerful but also more efficient, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

As such, the new GTS 310 serves to reiterate Vespa's status as a technological leader. The continuous efforts to ensure that the Vespa is always fitted with the best technological solutions of the time is one of the secrets to its success - a success which can be measured in the nineteen million-plus units sold across all continents of the world, or the two million new Vespas that have rolled out onto the roads across the globe in the last decade alone.

This success has made Vespa an icon of the contemporary world, which remains impervious to passing fashions and trends.

Style and functionality
Technology and style are seamlessly blended in the Vespa, and the design of this iconic scooter is one of the most beloved and celebrated of all time. It is the fruit of the continuous evolution of the original idea which, from the very first sketch, placed people at the heart of the design, thus creating perfect ergonomics.

Today, the Vespa GTS is the latest heir to this idea, with a style that is unmistakably contemporary but with roots deep in the very best Italian design traditions.

The lines of the GTS strike a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, and are refined with obsessive attention to even the smallest details: this has served to raise the perceived quality of every part of the Vespa family’s flagship bike.

As has been the case throughout Vespa's history, the full-steel bodywork also acts as a chassis, bearing the weight of the centrally-mounted engine unit and the mechanical parts. This totally unique construction philosophy is the key to Vespa's unrivalled robustness, as well as its one-of-a-kind safety and dynamism. The ride is always superb, whether in the city or out of town, and the Vespa skilfully combines excellent handling with reassuring stability, thanks in part to the generously-sized tyres fitted on the 12-inch rims and the disc brake system on both wheels.

The Vespa GTS is equipped with an advanced ASR system - the electronic traction control function that prevents rear wheel spin. The package of electronic safety controls is completed by the ABS anti-lock braking system; both are fitted as standard across the entire Vespa GTS family.

The graceful handlebar, which has always been one of the key stylistic features of the various Vespa models, incorporates the characteristic full-LED round headlamp, while the controls are grouped across two chrome-plated command units, evoking the handlebar gearbox of early Vespa models: a solution that enables the rider to manage the various commands in a simple, intuitive manner. The overall clean feel of the styling continues behind the countershield, where the keyless system knob replaces the traditional ignition switch and the black dashboard surface is united in a single element which integrates the bag hook in its centre.

At the rear of the bike, the light cluster features LED direction indicators and a tail light that creates a distinctive square light profile.

The Vespa GTS 310 is fitted with a seat that offers a higher level of comfort, and the rider benefits from optimised ergonomics, making it easier to place their feet on the ground; meanwhile, the passenger seat is spacious and inviting. The compartment in the countershield adds to the load capacity of the Vespa GTS 310: inside is a USB port, for recharging a mobile phone or other electronic devices.