Been coming across various bit of information about Zontes' forthcoming Tmax competitor. Its all a bit vague at the moment, and relies on auto translations of Spanish podcasts which are themselves translations of Chinese social media!

I still have no idea about the important question of whether it will be coming to the UK or not.

Various versions of the 552 were exhibited at EICMA last year, but it seems that they were basically mostly mock-ups. However the scooter(s) have been finalised and will be exhibited in final form at this year's EICMA. Construction will start for the Chinese market soon, then other Asian markets (Indonesia / Malaysian) , then eventually Europe.

It will have a chassis mounted 550cc approx engine, developing something around 55bhp. Weight has been variously quoted as 180 or 200kg - it seems some versions will have an aluminium chassis, other steel. The unusual feature is the layout - whilst the Tmax and other similar scoots have the CVT on the Right side of the engine, with shafts bringing power back across to the Left side, where there's a belt drive, the Zontes will have the CVT contained within the Swing Arm. No idea if this is a good idea or not. One effect of this is that its a very compact arrangement, and the 552 is distinctly shorter than other maxis - the wheelbase is actually shorter than the 'smaller' 368 model. Rear suspension is by a single shock mounted on the Right side of the swing arm.

It will come equipped with every conceivable gizmo that the Chinese can think of, like the 368 or the Voge SR450. Spanish sources guess that the price will probably be in the £7-8000 ballpark.

Interesting but we shall see!