Piaggio’s 3-wheeler has long been due an aesthetic overhaul, and its latest incarnation looks sleeker and more stylish at first glance. It has been completely revised and re-studied for improved aerodynamics and high-speed stability but that’s really not the clever bit.
Piaggio have always identified MP3 buyers as technophiles who are adventurous in new technology and not afraid of what other people think. Well, this iteration of the MP3 becomes the first in the scooter world to come equipped with Piaggio ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems). ARAS has the potential to increase rider safety and information with Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW). All these features come from a single ‘Imaging Radar 4D’ sensor supporting a range of over 100m, and an ultra-wide field-of-view.
Information comes to the rider via a full-colour Thin Film Transistor screen which also offers navigation and mobile phone connectivity. The top-of-the-range 530 HPE Exclusive version also offers cruise control and even a reversing function with a built-in reversing camera.
What all these features add up to is a hybrid personal mobility device that strikes a balance between man-manoeuvred vehicles of the past and an autonomous ‘Johnny-cab’ future. Whether all these features increase road safety or simply compensate for being more ‘digitally-distracted’ is a discussion for the future.
In terms of variants, Piaggio has settled the MP3 now at the larger end of their capacity range (no 125 or 250 versions any more). The Piaggio MP3 400 HPE and Piaggio MP3 400 HPE Sport both use the 35 HP 400cc version, while the Piaggio MP3 530 HPE Exclusive achieves over 44hp and betters the torque delivery of the older 500cc models.
Some of this extra tech you may well decide is not necessary for commuting, but when you’ve parked a heavy MP3 530 facing downhill into a cambered kerb and you need to back it out then I’m sure a powered reversing function will be worth its weight in gold.
Prices and availability
The new Piaggio MP3 will be available at dealerships after summer and will be bookable online at the website www.piaggio.com. Prospective customers can choose the version and colour of their scooter online, as well as the dealer where they want to pick it up.
The new Piaggio MP3 400 HPE Sport is on sale at a price of approx £9800
The range-toppingPiaggio MP3 530 HPE Exclusive is priced at approx £11,500. All prices indicated are ex-showroom, inclusive of VAT.
400cc MP3 is currently unavailable in the UK.
Radar eh? This is just part of the EU future plan to have new vehicles speed restricted by Big Brother by roadside electronic transmitters methinks. The “radar” emits Doppler signal, your speed is detected by roadside black box and return signal sent to govern speed, duly received by the onboard “radar” transceiver? Want to become a mindless drone at your own expense…buy into the over complicated, over-priced tech of a Brave New World of meddling bureaucrats. No thanks.
Gasoline, carbs, wire brake, throttle and speedo cables strictly manually controlled by me, for me until “they” (wooooooh!) come to my door and take my machines away from my cold dead hands. Damn you dirty apes! Damn you! Damn you! God damn you all to hell?