If someone told you that Vespa, the Italian darling of scooter culture, would embrace the Chinese zodiac, you might raise an eyebrow. Yet here we are, for the third consecutive year, with another exquisite entry in their Lunar Collection: the 2025 Vespa 946 Snake.
Following 2024’s golden-scaled 946 Dragon and 2023’s lime-bright 946 Bunny, Vespa’s latest creation slithers onto the stage with an icy sophistication. The 946 Snake is a nod to the Year of the Snake and a promise that Vespa’s Lunar Collection will likely honor all 12 zodiac animals in time, with a Horse-themed model waiting in the wings for 2026.
A Serpent’s Charm: Vespa’s 946 Snake
Unlike its predecessors, which leaned heavily into bold designs—a dragon sprawling across golden panels or a cheerful cartoon rabbit—the 946 Snake opts for understated elegance. Its iridescent blue livery captures the frosty chill of winter mornings, while subtle serpent motifs weave through the scooter like whispers of mystery. It’s a departure, sure, but a masterful one.
Details in the Design
Vespa understands the art of restraint, and the 946 Snake exemplifies this balance. Chrome-plated snake emblems coil gracefully on the front fender and fuel cap, lending a touch of gleaming texture to the frosted paintwork. The saddle and handlebar grips echo the theme with a snakeskin-inspired texture—a nod to the creature’s unmistakable allure.
In keeping with the significance of the number 8 in Chinese culture, Vespa will produce just 888 units of the 946 Snake, each individually numbered. The exclusivity adds to the scooter’s appeal, a subtle whisper to collectors worldwide: don’t miss this one.
Familiar Mechanics, Unfamiliar Price Tag
Underneath the glamour, the 946 Snake remains mechanically faithful to its lineage. Available in two engine options—125cc and 155cc—it sports Vespa’s signature single-arm coil spring and hydraulic rear shock suspension.
The 12-inch wheels house 220mm brake discs, complemented by dual-channel ABS and ASR traction control for safety. While the technical specifications mirror those of a standard 946, the limited edition package comes with a retail price of $13,499—a figure that may seem steep for a scooter, but not for a piece of rolling art.
A Dash of Fashion
No Vespa launch is complete without a fashion-forward flourish. The 946 Snake arrives alongside an accessories line that’s every bit as stylish as the scooter itself. Highlights include an open-faced helmet with an iridescent blue finish, chrome snakes, and a smoked visor.
Outerwear options range from a long puffer coat with snake-shaped zipper pulls to a bomber jacket adorned with an embroidered snake coiling around the Vespa logo. It’s a collection designed to let you wear the serpent’s charm, even if you aren’t riding it.
To showcase the 946 Snake and its matching attire, Vespa is rolling out a series of pop-up shops in select markets—a reminder that this scooter is more than transportation; it’s a statement.
A Celebration in Motion
The 2025 Vespa 946 Snake encapsulates more than just the Lunar New Year. It represents Vespa’s knack for blending cultural homage with contemporary design. Like the zodiac animal it celebrates, the 946 Snake is sleek, elusive, and undeniably captivating—a true collector’s piece that slithers elegantly between art and engineering.
Source:
Vespa
RideApart
ScooterLab UK
Motorcycle.com
