The Kymco Downtown is a mid-sized sport-tourer scooter from the Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco. Presented in 2008 and on the Italian market from early 2009, it was the first Kymco to use the company’s new G5 engine and has been offered in 125, 200, 300 and 350 cc forms.
Kymco Downtown at a glance
| Maker | Kymco, Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Presented | 2008 |
| On sale in Italy | early 2009 |
| Designer | Massimo Zaniboni |
| Class | mid-sized sport-tourer scooter |
| Wheels | 14-inch front, 13-inch rear |
| Engines | 125, 200, 300 cc; 350 cc from 2017 |
| New technology | first Kymco with the G5 engine |
| Colours | white, black, grey |
| 350i ABS | Euro 4, from 2017 |
| Traction control | TCS announced for the 350i in September 2020 |
based on one source
History of the Kymco Downtown
First generation (2008)
The Downtown was presented in 2008 and reached the Italian market at the beginning of 2009. It was designed by the Italian designer Massimo Zaniboni and belongs to the “low wheels” family, with 14-inch front and 13-inch rear wheels. Positioned as a medium-sized machine in the sport-tourer category, it was sold with 125, 200 and 300 cc engines and was the first vehicle from the company to carry the new G5 engine. The available colours were white, black and grey.
350i and traction control
A 350 cc version with ABS and Euro 4 homologation appeared in 2017. In September 2020 Kymco announced that the Downtown 350i would be available with TCS traction control, a system added to a scooter that already had ABS. The same 300i engine later formed the basis of the Kawasaki J300, which Kawasaki announced in late 2013 would be built in partnership with Kymco and based on the Downtown 300i.
Design and features
- G5 engine: the Downtown was the first Kymco model to use the company’s new generation of engines.
- Italian design: the bodywork was drawn by Massimo Zaniboni.
- Low wheels: 14 inches at the front and 13 at the rear for a low seat and easy handling.
- Electronics: ABS on the 350i from 2017 and traction control announced in 2020.
Kymco Downtown versions
- Downtown 125i: the smallest engine option.
- Downtown 200i: mid-range version.
- Downtown 300i: the version also used as the basis of the Kawasaki J300.
- Downtown 350i: ABS and Euro 4 from 2017, TCS from 2020.
The Downtown shares its engine family with the bigger Xciting and sits above the People in the range. More models are in the Kymco collection.
Sources
- Kymco Downtown, Italian Wikipedia: presentation, engines, design, TCS
- Kymco, English Wikipedia: Kawasaki J300 partnership
