Travel abroad to the well-developed two-wheeler markets of Europe and the first and most significant thing to smack into an observant two-wheeler buff's eyes is the large number of stylish scooters zipping around. While those foreign automatics cannot be treated as a sign of the future for the inimitable Indian market, they must surely be treated as inspirational for this less-exploited segment of India's burgeoning two-wheeler market.
Kudos are due then to Kinetic Engineering for its bold and original plan to bring home an exhilarating fleet of seven European scooters. An old hand at this game, the Pune-based company shocked Indians in the early 1980s with a then-futuristic Honda Lead-derived scooter and went on to taste heady success.
Can Kinetic once again 'lead' the way?
While confidently launching this gamut of scooters made by Italjet of Italy, Kinetic Engineering is making the honest claim that there will be something on offer for everyone.
This exciting Italjet range, which comprises seven scooters with snazzy names — Millennium, Euro, Jupiter, Torpedo, Dragster, Formula and Velocifero — is on course for India.
The two key aspects Kinetic needs to focus on are the engine transplants and overall build quality. These critical aspects being well sorted, this new breed of scooters looks capable enough to re-word the scootering books in this country.
Having recently tested the extremely potent and dynamic Italjet Dragster (Autocar India, July 2005) and coming away hugely thrilled, we spent a day in Pune riding the original European Italjet scooters based on which the
final production Kinetic machines are to be made.
Clearly, the final verdict will be when we road test the production variants of these Italo-Indian scooters to roll out of Kinetic's factory. Nevertheless, are we impressed by these seven automatics? Read on.

Millennium
Slated for an early launch a few weeks from now, the handsome Millennium lives up to its name in being contemporary-looking. This large-proportioned scooter — in line with current European trends — is a guaranteed eyeball-turner.
A raked front mudguard and slatted apron with twin-headlights stick out in front while a windscreen protects the rider from the elements. Smart instruments include a petite window for digital time, along with other usual telltale lamps which supplement a speedo, odo and fuel gauge. Storage is huge with a glovebox and the customary underseat bin. We found the Millennium's large and well-padded stepped seat exceedingly comfortable.
Overall levels of equipment are top-notch with switches, grips, levers, bar end weights, rubbers and plastics feeling just right across all seven scooters. Hopefully, this should remain for the final product available in India. Our test Millennium lacked a pass-light switch and Kinetic would do well to incorporate one feature across this range — a rear brake lever locking clip which is absent.

Euro
Our favourite and the one we put our money on to garner a strong following in India. Slated to be launched soon after the Millennium, the Euro is styled to perfection. Despite being safely conservative, it still manages to look fresh and very modern. Its rounded, flowing and uncluttered styling is a winner in our eyes. We found its crisp and clean lines exciting, yet, completely simple — a logical upgrade for a Honda Activa user.
The Euro also shows sparkling attention to detail. Twin headlights and clear lens indicators are low down and flush in the apron, while the rear receives similar treatment with split tail-warning clusters. There are fine switches and smartly buffed alloy levers that lend a touch of class. The pass flasher is cleverly incorporated into the high- and low beam switch and operated by simply depressing this switch. Instrumentation is just fine with a fuel gauge inclusive of the package. There is sufficient underseat storage, supplemented by a little glovebox.
The finely sculpted seat has natty grab-bars slotted into either side — perfect to hoist the scooter onto its main
stand — in addition to an
alloy grab-rail.
Indian scooter riders will feel at home on the Euro from the word go. It steers with a light, precise and neutral manner, making it a great city runabout. The front suspension uses a duo of twin upside-down forks, while the rear is cushioned with a monoshock and the engine as stressed member. Six-spoke alloys and a 120/70 x 12-inch front and 130/70 x 12 rear tyres enhance the package. Handling dynamics are fine, with ride quality a well-sorted affair. Braking bite is as urgent as can be and the anchorage employed is a 220mm front disc and drum at rear. Members of the fairer sex,
who are increasingly taking to modern scooters, would not mind putting their money on
a Euro. This is one Italjet we just can't wait for.

Jupiter
Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, but Jupiter is from Kinetic. This flagship model's frontal styling harks of Kawasaki's beastly supersports motorcycle — the 1200cc ZX12 R — with a similarly raked front mudguard and the same mean-looking twin headlights as found on the Kwacker.
A beaky, angular front fairing encompasses the maxi-scooter and its yawning floorboard. A tall flyscreen provides ample riding protection behind which nestles an elegant instrument cluster. The speedometer is calibrated all the way up to 160kph and sits alongside a trip and temperature gauge.
The Jupiter's handlebars are tucked away in a shroud and its smoothly sculpted switchgear is extra-fine equipment. The colossal stepped seat, which really pampers its occupants, could have you mistake the Jupiter for a three-seater. Underseat storage is large enough to house two full-face helmets.
The engine to power the Jupiter in India has yet to be finalized by Kinetic but it can safely be expected to displace over 200cc.
A discharged battery prevented us from riding the Jupiter, making it difficult to comment on engine performance and ride and handling quality.
The Jupiter uses a reinforced metal cradle frame. Front suspension is hydraulic forks while the rear employs a brace of twin adjustable shock absorbers. There's a beefy single-side light alloy swingarm on one side, while the engine doubles as the second side of the swingarm as on the Millennium.
Brakes are discs for both front and rear, with the front using a large diameter 250mm rotor. Footwear sizes for six-spoke alloy rims are 110/90 x 12-inch and 130/70 x 12 rear.
If ever there was a term such as 'super scooter', the Jupiter qualifies at idle.

Torpedo
As retro as retro can be, the Torpedo is a scooter with a difference. This modern but back-to-yesterday step-through, complete with smart mock tubular framework wrapping around its floorboard, has a love-or-hate-it appeal.
Looks tall for a scooter, doesn't it? Blame that on the 16-inch rims for the front and 14-inchers at the rear. The tall boy's front mudguard looks archaic as does the apron, which folds into the flat running boards and rear panels. Continuing the theme, a chrome lip surrounds the high headlamp unit, while the instruments comprise a speedometer, fuel gauge and time display. Also retained, as on the Euro, is that brainy pass-light flasher. The rear panels swoop backwards and end in an oval-shaped brake-warning lamp. There's a generously padded saddle, comfy enough to accommodate a rider and pillion, under which resides adequate storage space for the trip to the local ‘mandi’.
We expect the Torpedo will eventually arrive with a 100cc-odd motor slotted into its engine cavity. Six-spoke alloys front and rear, telescopic forks in front and the engine as a stressed member with a single vertical shock absorber at the rear do suspension duty on the Torpedo.
Handling displays a stability alien to this segment. It is born of the large diameter rims and munificent diameter tyres —front 90/80 x 16-inch and rear 110/80 x 14. We enjoyed cornering the Torpedo more than any of its other siblings, this again thanks to the taller rims and tyres. It's as close to a motorcycle in this critical department as any scooter can hope to be.
The Torpedo may not make as big an impact on us as the Euro or the Millennium, but it still finds itself a worthy place as a link to complete the chain of models. It's a scooterette with ride and handling practicality as close as possible to a bike, while still managing to hold hands with the convenience of a gearless scooter.