Vespa release £12k limited-edition 946 Snake scooter in line with the Chinese lunar calendar

The latest special edition scooter from Vespa has come to life with the introduction of the 946 Snake. 

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Built to pay homage to the Chinese lunar calendar (this year being that of the Snake), the premium twist-and-go will be made in just 888 units. 

With an asking price of £12,115, the Snake is pitched firmly towards the collector end of the buyer spectrum and less so towards everyday commuters. 

Power for UK models comes courtesy of a 125cc three valve motor and although official power figures remain unannounced, output is likely to match that of proceeding 946 versions at a claimed 11.6bhp. Outside of Europe, Vespa call upon a beefier 155cc engine. 

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Chassis specs for the Snake are unchanged from its previous incarnation as the 946 Dragon – that means 12-inch wheels at both ends, 220mm disc brakes all-round, and coil sprung monoshocks front and rear. 

Throughout the bike are nods to its reptilian inspiration, with a seat and grips reportedly modelled to recall the texture of the animal’s skin – so Vespa claim – and plenty of chrome badging throughout to show-off that this is no run-of-the-mill machine.  

Accompanying the scooter’s launch is a series of similarly styled wearables and a pop-up shop tour with locations set across Europe. The UK, however, does not feature in the tour’s lineup. 

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For more information, head to Vespa’s website, now.