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Could it be true? The rumormill is running overtime with reports of a potential merger between a pair of our favorite two-wheeled giants: Ducati and Piaggio.

Piaggio has no comment on the matter, refusing to either confirm or deny the supposed Ducati deal. Still, we can't help but run through the what-ifs, assuming there's a shred of truth to this. Perhaps we'll finally see some stability in the U.S. surrounding the many great brands under Piaggio's roof.

Could Piaggio's broad scope of product (currently offered throughout the Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia lines), coupled with the stable dealer network Ducati has built, be the recipe for a successful challenge to rivals from Japan and beyond? Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

[Source: Motoblog.it via Two Wheels Blog]

Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ducatiducati hypermotardducati piaggio mergerDucatiHypermotardDucatiPiaggioMergerItalian motorcyclesItalianMotorcyclesItalymoto guzziMotoGuzzipiaggiopiaggio apePiaggioApevespaSun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19395769/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/14/rumormill-ducati-piaggio-merger-in-the-works/19395769/article-detail.xml 19395769 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/logoducatipiaggio-1268354133_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/logoducatipiaggio-1268354133.jpg <![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 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19111412/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/28/shock-the-monkey-piaggio-reportedly-launching-lithium-powered-e/19111412/article-detail.xml 19111412 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/07/piaggio-ape-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/07/piaggio-ape-lead.jpg -1 2