As expected, Piaggio has apparently begun production of the three-wheeled MP3 Hybrid. Currently, the bike is only available in Europe with a price of under €10,000 ($14,125), but we've been hearing rumors that it would make the trip across the pond and into America at some point in the relatively near future. According to Motociclismo, Roberto Colaninno, the President and CEO of Piaggio, delivered the first MP3 Hybrid to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi last week.

We don't yet have a final spec sheet on the new hybrid three-wheeler, but we're expecting to see a 125cc gas-powered engine mated up with an electric motor and lithium ion battery pack that will allow for gas-free riding for up to 12 miles. Combined fuel mileage could be as high as 140 miles per gallon, according to earlier reports.


[Source: Motociclismo via Motoblog via 2 Stroke Buzz]

Considering a scooter but not sure if you're cut out for the two-wheeled lifestyle? Piaggio believes it may have the answer to this common problem with its latest promotion, which offers buyers in the U.S. the opportunity to try a scooter on for size for 12 months with the option to return the ride if it's just not working out. According to Paolo Timoni,President and CEO, Piaggio Group Americas,

The economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits of scooters are proven on a daily basis in major markets around the globe, and we think this hassle-free introduction to scooter ownership is a risk-free way for U.S. consumers to take a trial membership in our American scooter nation.

Of course, there's fine print. Not all Piaggio, Vespa or Aprilia scooters apply (though there's a good selection – click past the break for more), plus the buyers must qualify for a 36-month closed-end finance term and put down 10-percent at the time of purchase based on the scooter's MSRP. Interested? You've got until July 31st to contact your local dealer.


[Source: Piaggio]

Perodua UK Limited, the importer of Piaggio Commercial Vehicles, has just announced that it's bringing the classic three-wheeled Ape back to the UK market. First introduced way back in 1948, the Ape (pronounced, ap-ey, FWIW, which is Italian for "bee." Vespa is Italian for "wasp") is based on the front end of a scooter but features an enclosed cabin for weather protection and two wheels out back.

Buyers can choose between a tiny 50cc engine, a larger 218cc gasoline unit and a big, 422cc diesel, mated up to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Panel Van, Pick Up, Cross or Tipper (tilting bed) models are all available along with a choice of a steering wheel or handlebars, making for a very versatile platform. Lastly, the Ape Calessino (seen above) is available as a limited edition for leisurely personal transportation.

As cool as it would be to see these vehicles in the States, we doubt it would ever happen. We'll just have to be content fulfilling our scooter fantasies with the MP3, Piaggio's other three-wheeler, which is available here in 125cc, 250cc or 500cc models.

[Source: Piaggio]

Good news for eccentric scooter lovers who live in the States: Piaggio's MP3 Hybrid is coming to America in the first quarter of 2010. This revelation came out while Piaggio Group USA President and CEO Paolo Timoni was sharing television time with our friend Wes from Hell For Leather on Fox Car Report Live. According to Timoni, the hybrid three-wheeler will be priced around $9,000.

Other details that we previously didn't know is that the hybrid scooter will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone. Riders can switch the scooter into electric-only mode if they want to use zero gas and there will also be three separate hybrid modes to choose from, including a performance mode that can "boost performance" by an impressive 85 percent. The result of all of this hybrid wizardry? Up to 140 miles per gallon, depending on riding conditions and distance traveled.


[Source: Hell For Leather]

Piaggio has said that a new hybrid version of its MP3 three-wheeled scooter will debut in Italy and Spain later this summer. We'd wager a guess that the €150 million in low-interest loans from the European Investment Bank to Piaggio late last year spurred on the vehicle's development somewhat. The new hybrid scooter will reportedly be capable of about 12 miles using nothing but electricity, but the MP3's single cylinder, 250cc 125cc gas-powered engine will be able to kick in and provide extended range when necessary. Regenerative braking is also included in the package.

The MP3's electric motor should also provide a usable boost in performance, especially at low speeds, all the while promoting fuel mileage that could be as high as 140 miles per gallon. A lithium ion battery pack will be used by the MP3 Hybrid, which will take up to 4 hours to recharge and likely accounts for a large portion of the scooter's expected price range of €8,000 to €10,000 when it goes on sale later this year in Europe.


[Source: Visordown]

Piaggio has been making scooters for decades, but much of its legacy lies with dirty 2-stroke machines. More recently, Piaggio's best two- and three-wheelers have used clean, efficient 4-stroke powerplants, but the company has designs on improving emissions and fuel economy even further by using hybrid drivetrains and electric motors for its scooters. We've seen the first fruits of this labor already in the form of the hybrid MP3, but these developments are extremely expensive. Compounding matters even further, the global market for all types of vehicles is down, regardless of size or the number of wheels. To help Piaggio stay at the forefront of technology, the European Investment Bank has granted the Italian company low-interest loans totaling €150 million, which are supposed to be paid back withing 7 years. Besides eco-friendly improvements, the money will also be put to good use funding the research and development of new safety features.


[Source: Faster and Faster]

We've been following the developments of Piaggio's hybrid MP3 since it was in its initial concept stages. Thankfully, it is getting ever closer to production, meaning some early details are beginning to leak out regarding its performance. Our friend Wes at Hell For Leather has procured some interesting tidbits regarding the hybrid three-wheeler, including astronomical fuel mileage rating of 141 miles per gallon. That's pretty amazing, though we're unsure of the conditions necessary to achieve that figure. Still, there are four modes available, including electric only and three separate hybrid options, that allow for the rider to achieve maximum efficiency or maximum performance.

While the scooter is capable of using its 125cc engine and regenerative braking to keep its batteries topped up, the machine can also be plugged into a normal electric outlet and can completely charge its batteries in three hours. We're not yet sure how much range of electric-only operation that will allow. The batteries are stored under the seat and there's still enough storage room left over for a full-face helmet. We had a great time riding the regular models, and we're ready for all the details on this exciting machine, including when it will officially go on sale.


[Source: Hell For Leather]

As gas prices rise, so it seems do the sales of gas-misers like scooters and small-bore motorcycles. Larger, more powerful and therefore more expensive motorcycles are doing the opposite, dropping in sales like the pickups and SUVs of the automotive realm, though surely for different reasons. Many of the pricier luxury items like that chromed-out Harley V-Twin you've lusted over for years are taking a back seat to keeping the Family Truckster filled up with gas, or even being replaced with a scooter. In fact, so far this year, scooter sales have risen an astounding 66 percent over the same period last year. Every manufacturer, from Piaggio and Vespa with their relatively small city-scoots to bigger machines like the Burgman from Suzuki, has reported double-digit gains. Instead of being ridden solely for the enjoyment of the rider, these machines are making the shorter trips and errand-runs that big SUVs were making not that long ago.

[Source: CNN Money]

We usually know Piaggio for its scooters and the great MP3 three-wheeled scooter, but it also builds a "microvan" based on the Daihatsu Hijet kei-car sized van. The vehicle, which is quite common for garden services in big European cities, uses a 660 cc engine. But there's an electric version as well, which is sold for use in city centers, as well as in Israel. Now the Piaggio Porter electric is also available in the UK, left hand driver notwithstanding, where it's exempt from the Congestion Charge in Central London. The Porter use long life Lead-Gel batteries that offer a range of approximately 80 miles (depending on terrain and driving style) and recharging is either with a standard 8 hour charge through a 13 amp socket or a faster 2 hour charge using 3 phase supply. It's available in 6 body styles: Panel Van, MPV, Pick Up, Big Deck, Tipper and Chassis Cab. Across the range, payload capacities range from 440kg for the electric MPV to 560kg for the electric Big Deck.

[Source: Piaggio UK]

It's taken one month for Dr. Bernard "Buddy" Rosenbaum, 71, and Bob Chase,72, to ride two Piaggio MP3 scooters from San Francisco to New York City along the Lincoln Highway. When the duo finally arrived in Times Square, they were greeted by media, friends, family and Piaggio representatives, including its U.S. Operations president, Paolo Timoni. The event not only showed that there are no age boundaries, but also that summer road trips can still be taken even during these days of $4+/gal.

[Source: No Age Limit]