MV Agusta’s strategic plans include range development, but not exclusively in the direction of high performance bikes. The next step in this development is in fact going towards extended range urban mobility with a project that, contrary to what may appear, is perfectly in line with MV Agusta’s DNA. In effect, AMPELIO is an electric scooter with eminently modern looks and content, yet inspired by the CGT and Ovunque models produced in the 1950’s.

The prototype is the brainchild of Maksim Ponomarev, the Russian designer who, even before officially receiving the assignment, had already prepared a series of sketches with a marked heritage feel. Passion for the vintage style and the opportunity of drawing on a strongly inspiring heritage led him to reinterpret models from 70 years ago and share his works on Balance, a product design platform on which members publish their creations. When I saw them while surfing the net, I fell in love with them and I invited Maksim to join us and continue on this path.

We started developing the project a little more than 2 years ago. We already had a zero emissions concept in mind. What we were missing were the time and resources to turn an idea of style into a vehicle to be industrialised. So we started looking for an established partner in the field of electric scooters, able to satisfy MV Agusta’s quality standards. After shortlisting and contacting several candidates, we finally found in Taiwanese Kymco, known for the high quality of its products, the ideal partner to bring the Ampelio scooter to life.

When it came to formalising and giving a name to the project, we initially thought of revamping some past MV Agusta names or acronyms that were part of the company’s legacy. We could have called it Normale, or CGT(model C Gran Turismo), or even Ovunque, which we liked but which was rather difficult to pronounce for foreigners. We then concentrated on finding a name that would start with an “A”, a letter that proudly featured on the tails of MV Agusta scooters in the 1950’s. In the end we opted for “Ampelio”, partly because it reminds of “Ampere”, the unit of electric current, but also for its musicality and its easy pronunciation at global level.

See the models:MV AGUSTA FUTUREMODELS 

Kymco booth
Tuesday, 8th November at 3.00 pm
Hall 11 Stand E10