Every vehicle manufacturer worth their salt has what’s known in the trade as a ‘Halo’ edition. A machine that’s so advanced, stylish or packed full of performance that it shines a light on the manufacturer’s capabilities. Of course, Vespa is no exception to that rule and since 2013 it’s the iconic 946 that’s sat atop the Vespa range, becoming renowned both for its beauty and exclusivity.
Many will say that its roots are in 2011, when Piaggio's design office presented the Vespa Quarantasei concept scooter, but the design’s origins go back to Vespa’s earliest days and the MP6 of 1946; hence the ‘946’ name.
Origins of an icon
At the end of World War II, Enrico Piaggio, who was then head of the Italian engineering corporation that bore his family name, gave the designer Corradino d’Ascanio a task that would prove to be one of the greatest challenges of his career. His mission? to create a simple vehicle that would help mobilise the Italian population and rebuild the Italian economy. From the outset his design brief was clear, the machine must be easy to ride by anybody without dirtying their clothes, and have a seat for a passenger. In response, D’Ascanio, who was not a great lover of motorcycles, drew up a completely original vehicle. Drawing on his experience in aeronautics he devised a vehicle that incorporated an enclosed monocoque chassis with the gear change on the handlebars. He also made the engine an integral part of the vehicle’s suspension and at the front incorporated an aircraft landing gear type suspension which made changing the wheel much easier. This prototype, the MP6, was still without a name when, in September 1945, it was presented to Enrico Piaggio, who exclaimed: “It looks like a wasp [Vespa]!” Although it heralded a new type of transport, the MP6 was very different to the Vespa which went into production. During the process of converting the concept into reality several design elements were lost including the cooling slats and upright saddle. It was these elements that Piaggio’s designers sought to reinvent for a new era.
Back to the future
When Vespa presented the Quarantasei (‘Forty-six’) concept scooter at the 2011 Milan motorcycle show it was intended to be nothing more than a design exercise, something to illustrate what a Vespa could look like in the future. The powerplant was the newly introduced 125cc four-stroke automatic unit but the remainder of the machine was completely fresh. This was no rework of an existing model, it was a completely new take on the Vespa chassis, but with lines closer to the original MP6 than any other Vespa had achieved since those pioneering days. The design earned acclaim both from the public and critics alike, so much so that the decision was made to create a production model. However, this wasn’t to be a mass produced machine. Instead it would be produced in themed editions with each scheme being strictly limited numbers.
Unlike d’Ascanio’s 1946 design, this decision meant that were very few areas in which the designers had to compromise. Today, visitors to the Vespa factory in Pontedera will find a special area of the factory floor that’s devoted to 946 production with special tooling and jigs; this is truly a hand built machine.
The amount of engineering that’s gone into the 946 is incredible. The curves which make the machine so reminiscent of its ancestor leave very little room for the technology required of a modern scooter. Squeezing all that’s required to comply with constantly evolving legislation and give the rider a truly memorable riding experience without compromising on the original vision has been a masterclass in creative design.
It’s not just in design that the original spirit has been retained, the ethos of producing a machine that’s only available in limited numbers has also been honoured.
Perhaps best known are the Lunar year series, which began in 2023 with ‘Bunny’, a scheme to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. This was followed in 2024 with the 946 Dragon and in 2025 a striking silver scheme celebrated the Year of the Snake.
In addition, schemes have been produced by designers such as Armani and Dior, whilst sales of the ‘Red’ edition supported efforts to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Year of the Horse
The lunar series continues for 2026 with the ‘Horse’, an edition that celebrates everything equine with a truly memorable scheme. In creating this thoroughbred the design team took inspiration from the coat of a Bay horse; the earthy metallic brown scheme comprising contrasting textures of high gloss and matte. Real leather trims the handlebars and rearview mirror brackets, whilst golden accents include the rivets and buckle that punctuate the leather saddle.
Looking around the 946 horse, it’s very obvious that a huge amount of effort has gone into getting these details just right; vital because 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of d’Ascanio’s original design.
As intended, the 946 continues to showcase what Vespa’s designers strive for every day; uncompromising design. As with all the 946 editions, the Horse will be produced in very limited numbers, so If exclusivity is what you crave then the 946 Horse is for you.
For more information on the horse’s availability and pricing please contact a member of our sales team on 01226 203377 or sales@rondaleyscooters.co.uk
