Piaggio MP3 Hybrid officially in production
Piaggio MP3 Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery
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.
Gallery: Piaggio MP3 hybrid scooter
[Source: Motociclismo via Motoblog via 2 Stroke Buzz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
spence 7:23PM (6/03/2009)
Awesome. When I was in Paris last month, I saw MP3's everywhere. Given their popularity, this could be the first real mass production plug-in electric vehicle to sell in large numbers. The price is pretty high, but we'll see what the US pricing is like.
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Antoine 6:31AM (6/04/2009)
Dont' take them wrong, we don't have hybrid mp3s in France yet. All the ones you saw were gas-powered. But this is true, the mp3 is very popular.
PeakOyle 8:32AM (6/04/2009)
halve the price and it really will be popular. $14k for a bike, no thanks.
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Matt 9:58AM (6/04/2009)
$14k for a bike I don't mind; there are plenty of bikes from BMW, Ducati, and even Honda that top $14,000. One of my favorites, the CBR 1000 ABS is right at $14k.
$14,000 for a bike is fine; THIS is a scooter! In my opinion the best scooter on the planet is the Honda Silverwing ABS, and it tops out at $9,000. No, it's not a hybrid, but it is awesome. Good luck with that Piaggio, let me know when you can knock $4k off it and then we'll talk.
Kumar 10:04AM (6/04/2009)
Well, it looks like the comparable gasser version of the MP3 400 is around 7300 Euros overseas, and $8699 USD here, not the 10,300 a direct 'Autoblog get the nubs to knee jerk about prices' conversion stated above. ;)
If this comes with the smaller engine, it's entirely possible to get this three wheeler, so not a bike (bicycle) for 10-11k. I haven't seen any yet in Indianapolis, but can see the appeal if drivers in my town weren't so oblivious to anything not on 4 wheels.
Spence 10:17AM (6/04/2009)
This may qualify for a $1500 rebate in California. If they can get it below ten grand, I bet it will sell, though at around seven or eight, they wouldn't be able to build enough of them. The current MP3 can run you that much right now.
Otherwise, a startup like Zero or Brammo may have a hit on its hands.
FitFan 2:46PM (6/04/2009)
I wouldn't have any issues with $14K for a vehicle that gets 140mpg, but I'm not interested in having 3 wheels on the ground.
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