Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Shock the Monkey: Piaggio reportedly launching lithium-powered electric Ape Calessino]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/shock-the-monkey-piaggio-reportedly-launching-lithium-powered-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/shock-the-monkey-piaggio-reportedly-launching-lithium-powered-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/shock-the-monkey-piaggio-reportedly-launching-lithium-powered-e/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Piaggio Ape - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to reports coming out of Europe, Italian scooter maker Piaggio has just unveiled a new fully electric version of its iconic Ape Calessino three-wheeler, a beast of burden normally powered by a 422cc diesel engine. Separating the new EV from its fossil-fueled variants is a new white paint job with burgundy doors and canvas top (not shown). The new electric Ape is powered by a lithium ion battery pack and an electric motor that reportedly allows for a range of up to 75 kilometers (just under 50 miles). A full recharge of the battery pack will take less than four hours, but that's surely dependent on the type of outlet the electric Ape's plugged into.

There's no indication on horsepower, torque or top speed that we've been able to suss out yet, but Piaggio is apparently claiming the battery pack is good for 800 recharge cycles. It seems an initial run of just 100 lithium-powered Apes are slated for production, all intended for European consumption. Want one? Better get out the checkbook - the lithium-powered Ape is expected to sell for €19,900 (over $30K in U.S. funds) plus Value Added Tax (VAT).


Gallery: Piaggio Ape


[Source: Faster and Faster]

Shock the Monkey: Piaggio reportedly launching lithium-powered electric Ape Calessino originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric apeelectric piaggioelectric piaggio apeElectricApeElectricPiaggioElectricPiaggioApepiaggiopiaggio apepiaggio ape calessinopiaggio lithium apePiaggioApePiaggioApeCalessinoPiaggioLithiumApeTue, 28 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Officially Official: Piaggio MP3 400 and MP3 500]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/31/officially-official-piaggio-mp3-400-and-mp3-500/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/31/officially-official-piaggio-mp3-400-and-mp3-500/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/31/officially-official-piaggio-mp3-400-and-mp3-500/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click on the image above for many more pictures

Way back in 2006, Piaggio invented a new category in motorcycling: the three-wheeled leaning scooter. It turns out that they were really on to something - the MP3 has been selling so well that Piaggio has decided to introduce two new versions of the machine to the American market. Joining the original 250cc MP3, Piaggio has officially announced their plans to release both a 400cc version and a 500cc version. With 34 horsepower, the 400 offers a useful increase in power to the original MP3, but we're more interested in the 500. Boasting 40 horsepower, the MP3 500 is capable of about 90 miles per hour. We also prefer the Mad Max ready-for-anything look of the 500 to the swoopy plastic look of the 250 and 400. A Ducati it's not, but if your Italian cycling passion is a bit more rational, Piaggio may have exactly what you are looking for.

Gallery: Piaggio MP3 500

Gallery: Piaggio MP3 400

[Source: Piaggio]

Continue reading Officially Official: Piaggio MP3 400 and MP3 500

Officially Official: Piaggio MP3 400 and MP3 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mp3mp3 400mp3 500mp3-400mp3-500Mp3400Mp3500piaggiopiaggio mp3piaggio-mp3PiaggioMp3Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Flight of Fancy: Ferrari takes to the sky]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/flight-of-fancy-ferrari-takes-to-the-sky/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/flight-of-fancy-ferrari-takes-to-the-sky/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/flight-of-fancy-ferrari-takes-to-the-sky/#commentsFiled under: ,



Like their competitors, Ferrari uses advanced aerodynamics to keep their cars on the ground. But what if they flipped their technology upside down to create an aircraft? The result could very well be this, the Piaggio P180 Avanti II.

Beyond the usual correlation between the automotive and aeronautical industries - especially evident in six-figure sportscars and in formula motor racing - the ties between Piaggio Aero and Ferrari run far deeper. Piaggio, which sponsors the Scuderia, is chaired by Enzo's heir and company vice-chairman Piero Ferrari. The aircraft pictured is the one Ferrari uses to shuttle their executives and star drivers around Europe, if not the world, to unveil new cars, win grands prix and cut ribbons on everything from theme parks to retail stores. Interestingly, instead of jet propulsion, the Avanti II uses backwards-mounted turboprops. With a 450 mph top speed, it's the fastest turboprop in the world. It has a 1,800-mile range and 41,000-ft maximum cruising altitude but uses 30% less fuel than a comparable jet.

Of course this isn't the first time the prancing horse has appeared on an aircraft. The logo, legend has it, was emblazoned on the plane of Italian WWI flying ace Count Francesco Baracca, whose mother presented it to Enzo Ferrari after reportedly being impressed by his driving style while racing towards the checkered flag at the Salvio circuit in 1923. Whether the legend is true or not, the plane makes a more suitable canvas for the Ferrari logo than a Segway scooter.

[Source: Piaggio Aero via Luxurylaunches.com]

Flight of Fancy: Ferrari takes to the sky originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeroairplaneavantichairmancorporateferrarihorsejetp180piaggiopieroprancingMon, 19 Nov 2007 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Piaggio MP3 three-wheel scooter]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/piaggio-mp3-three-wheel-scooter/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/piaggio-mp3-three-wheel-scooter/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/piaggio-mp3-three-wheel-scooter/#commentsFiled under: ,



The famous Vespa scooter you always see nauseatingly trendy characters tool around on in TV shows and movies was launched by Piaggio in 1946. Fifty years later the company is introducing the MP3, a three-wheeled scooter with two 12-inch donuts up front and one in the rear. Both front wheels tilt independently to provide extreme levels of stability for a little scooter and better braking thanks to the extra disc. You can forget about a kickstand too, as the MP3's tilt suspension can be locked and easily balance the scooter upright while parked or at stoplights. The system is designed to automatically unlock the tilt mechanisms again at speed. Power for the MP3 is provided by either a 125cc or 250cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine. Seems like the perfect piece of transport for the cramped cobblestone streets of Europe.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Piaggio MP3 three-wheel scooter originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 May 2006 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Piaggioscooterthree wheelthree-wheelThreeWheelVespaMon, 15 May 2006 13:04:00 EST