Lambretta's New Scooter Is Basically A Vintage Italian Fashion Statement With Modern Tech

Because looking like a 1960s Italian movie star is so much easier with Bluetooth and traction control.

Photo by: Lambretta

By: Enrico Punsalang

Oct 22, at 9:04am ET

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If you really stop and think about it, you'll realize that there's something ridiculous about the modern retro scooter. The entire point is to look like you've traveled back to a simpler time, preferably one involving cobblestone streets, tiny espresso cups, and absolutely no regard for punctuality. But underneath all that nostalgia, you'd probably want something that starts every morning and doesn't require a toolbox just to get you to work.

Well, Lambretta seems to understand the assignment, and its new J125 is proof.

The 2026 Lambretta J125 is a small-displacement scooter that wears its Italian heritage proudly. You've got the familiar upright silhouette, distinctive front horn cover, rounded bodywork, and metal rear side panels that give it some proper old-school character. It's available in red, white, black, and gray, all of which suit its retro styling rather nicely. But beneath that vintage-inspired exterior is a surprisingly sophisticated little machine.

Photo by: Lambretta

Power comes from a 124.6cc liquid-cooled, DOHC single-cylinder engine producing 12.2 horsepower and 8.5 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a CVT, so there's no shifting involved. Those numbers aren't going to threaten anything remotely sporty, but that's beside the point. This is a scooter designed for urban commuting, running errands, and making the occasional coffee stop look considerably more glamorous than it actually is.

Things get interesting when you start looking at the electronics. The J125 comes with a full-color TFT display with customizable themes, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, and keyless ignition. There's also a glovebox with both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, full LED lighting, and a front-mounted fuel tank that lets you refuel without lifting the seat. All those features are starting to make my car jealous.

Photo by: Lambretta

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And then there's the safety equipment. Lambretta has fitted the J125 with dual-channel ABS and traction control, features that aren't necessarily standard fare in the 125cc scooter world. It also retains the brand's distinctive double arm-link front suspension, a mechanical nod to classic Lambrettas that separates it from the sea of conventional telescopic-fork scooters. Add 12-inch wheels, a 30.7-inch seat height, and a claimed unladen weight of around 306 pounds, and you've got a fairly approachable urban runabout.

Of course, looking stylish doesn't come particularly cheap. The J125 is listed in the UK at £3,499, roughly $4,700, excluding additional on-road charges. There's no confirmed US availability at this point, which is unfortunate because this thing would look fantastic parked outside an overpriced coffee shop in Brooklyn. Still, it's nice seeing Lambretta embrace its heritage without insisting that riders also embrace the inconveniences of vintage machinery.