Aprilia SXR 50 Unveiled: The Most Petite Maxi-style Scooter Ever

Unveiled for Europe, the scooter looks a lot like the existing Aprilia SXR 160

The Aprilia SXR 50 is powered by a 50cc air-cooled 3-valve 4-stroke Euro 5-compliant engine. Its underpinnings are the same as the SXR 160. Is quite practical, thanks to the 20-litre underseat storage, glove box with integrated USB port, and a retractable luggage hook.

Aprilia has unveiled the smallest maxi-style scooter in Europe yet, the Aprilia SXR 50. Yes, as the name suggests, it looks pretty much like the Aprilia SXR 160 currently sold in India. Expect Aprilia to announce the pricing soon.

While the Aprilia SXR 50 looks like a proper, full-sized maxi-style scooter, its tiny 50cc air-cooled 3-valve SOHC fuel-injected engine churns out just 3.2PS at 7000rpm and 3.3Nm at 6250rpm. While these figures may be fair enough for a 50cc scooter, it is definitely better suited for commuting on narrow roads where speed isn’t the priority. Aprilia hasn’t mentioned the kerb weight either. But going by its similarity to the SXR 160, expect it to be on the slightly heavier side. The Italian brand claims the engine offers a mileage of over 40kmpl, which isn’t impressive either. 

The scooter gets the same underpinnings as its 160cc sibling: a telescopic front fork, a 5-step preload-adjustable single shock absorber, and a 220mm front disc and a 140mm rear drum. However, unlike the SXR160, this one does not have ABS. At such paltry output figures, we reckon it doesn’t need one anyway. It also gets the same 12-inch alloy wheels wrapped in meaty 120-section tyres at both ends, like the SXR 160. 

Practicality is one aspect where the SXR 50 shines. It gets a 20-litre illuminated under-seat storage, a small rear luggage rack (looks flatter than the one in the SXR 160), an apron-mounted glove box with an integrated USB charging port, and a retractable hook. It is also loaded with modern features such as an all-LED lighting system and a full-LCD instrument cluster (displaying details like air temperature, on-the-spot and average mileage, average speed and top-speed recorder, and other generic information). 

Aprilia also offers optional Bluetooth-enabled smartphone connectivity and a large 32-litre top box for better usability. At 775mm, the seat is 5mm taller than the one on the SXR 160.

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Overall, owing to its tiny engine producing modest output figures, the Aprilia SXR 50 may work in some European markets but not in our country. Moreover, Indian customers strongly equate cubic capacity to price, so making a 50cc maxi-style scooter will end up becoming a little too expensive. After all, it would just be a 50cc scooter. What do you guys think?