The Malaguti Firefox, also known as the Firefox F15, is a 50 cc scooter produced by Malaguti from 1996 to 2006. It remained in the price lists until 2010, the year the Bologna company closed, and was built at the factory in San Lazzaro di Savena.
Malaguti Firefox at a glance
| Maker | Malaguti, San Lazzaro di Savena (Bologna) |
|---|---|
| Model name | Firefox, also called Firefox F15 |
| Production | 1996–2006; in the catalogue until 2010 |
| Design | Giorgio Mazzotti |
| Engines | 50 cc two-stroke Minarelli, air or liquid cooled |
| Later engine | Keeway unit replacing the air-cooled version |
| Carburettor | 12 mm Dell’Orto, Gurtner on some versions |
| Brakes | front disc, rear drum; rear disc added later |
| Front suspension | 32 mm fork |
| Rear suspension | hydraulic monoshock with adjustable spring preload |
| Transmission | automatic variator and centrifugal clutch |
Based on one source: the Italian Wikipedia article on the Malaguti Firefox; there is no English article. The two photographs are period design works for the F15 by Giorgio Mazzotti.
History of the Malaguti Firefox
The Firefox was introduced in 1996 with a two-stroke Minarelli engine, available in 50 cc form with liquid or air cooling. In the last years of production the air-cooled version was replaced by an engine from Keeway. The engine was mounted horizontally and fed by a 12 mm Dell’Orto carburettor, although some versions used a Gurtner unit. The braking system consisted of a front disc and a rear drum, to which a rear disc was later added. The front suspension was a traditional 32 mm fork, while the rear relied on a hydraulic monoshock adjustable in spring preload. The transmission was automatic, with a continuously variable variator and a centrifugal clutch; unusually for a moped, the transmission casing had a small air intake to cool the internal parts.
The design of the scooter was the work of the Italian designer Giorgio Mazzotti. During 1998 the scooter was revised by the manufacturer: the plexiglas that covered the front shield of the first versions was removed and a different exhaust system was fitted. In the following years the shield was modified further around the polyellipsoidal headlights, and the classic analogue dashboard gave way to a modern digital dashboard made up of three elements. There were also special versions called Ducati Corse, whose livery was inspired by the racing models of the Borgo Panigale factory.
The Firefox was one of the scooters with which Malaguti moved away from mopeds such as the Fifty towards the plastic-bodied 50 cc scooter market of the late 1990s. Its long catalogue life, lasting four years after production ended, reflects how well the model sold for the Bologna firm before its financial difficulties.
Design and features
- Giorgio Mazzotti design: the Italian designer gave the Firefox its original shield and headlight layout.
- Two cooling systems: the 50 cc Minarelli was offered air- or liquid-cooled.
- Digital dashboard: a three-element digital instrument panel replaced the early analogue one.
- Cooled transmission: a small air intake in the transmission casing, rare on a moped.
- Ducati Corse versions: special liveries inspired by the Ducati racing machines.
Malaguti Firefox versions
- Firefox F15 air-cooled: the original 50 cc Minarelli with air cooling.
- Firefox F15 liquid-cooled: the water-cooled version of the same engine.
- Keeway-engined version: replaced the air-cooled model in the final years.
- Ducati Corse: special version with racing-inspired graphics.
- 1998 revision: without the shield plexiglas and with a new exhaust.
The Firefox was the 50 cc scooter that followed the Fifty moped in the Malaguti range; the larger Phantom and Spidermax covered the sporty and maxi-scooter ends. More models are in the Malaguti collection.
Sources
- Malaguti Firefox, Italian Wikipedia: history, design, engines, cycle parts
