Chicago (IL) – We can’t help but be impressed with the recent concepts of vehicles that promise to boost gas efficiency in territories we previously believed were not achievable. One of the most attractive concepts to date comes from Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio, mainly known for its legendary Vespa series: The company said it will be rolling out a hybrid version of its three-wheeled MP3 scooter – which zips from 0-60 mph faster than most cars on the market today and promises a gas efficiency of 141 mpg.

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The new MP3 Hybrid, based on the existing MP3 gasoline-engine scooter, took the center stage at EICMA 2008 in Milan, Italy, this week and is promised to be commercially available within a year and become the world’s first mass-produced plug-in electric hybrid motorcycle.

The three-wheeled scooter combines a 125 cc gasoline engine, which is smaller than the smallest gasoline engine available in the MP3 (250 cc, 22.5 hp), that is combined with an electrical motor. The concept is very similar to that of what is expected to be seen in the upcoming 2010 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, but the 2-seater Piaggio is expected to provide much more performance. Piaggio says that the scooter will be able to 0-60 mph in about five seconds, which is much more in line with the performance of the most capable MP3 model (500 cc, 40 hp) that hits a top speed of 90 mph.   

The four-stroke gasoline engine of the hybrid runs at an almost constant speed and will aid in lowering emissions and achieving an improved fuel economy. Piaggio claims the MP3 Hybrid emits only 40 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, whiel the Toyota Prius emits 104. The hybrid system is capable of traveling about 12.5 miles on nothing but electric power.

Death wish

Nov 11, 2008 14:18     

You got to have a death wish to go 90 on a scooter.
Pete report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

@pete

Nov 11, 2008 14:24     

Ya...and driving in chicago NW suburbs at all is a death wish. I need a flying car.
alex report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

@Pete

Nov 11, 2008 14:39     

I suppose I have a death wish, I go around 80 on my Jet Ski's... (hitting water at that speed is like hitting concrete). IMO, would be nice to have for going to and from work for me (I live like 3 miles from my job).
JackCrackerMan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

In pic #3, one of the headlights are not working!...

Nov 11, 2008 15:22     

In pic #3, one of the headlights are not working!
AJ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -4

I'd buy one in a minute!

Nov 11, 2008 15:56     

I think they should offer features, like a bubble to protect the driver from rain, etc. It might reduce fuel mileage somewhat, bringing it down to only 60 to 100 mpg, but it would still be well worth it. And, it would only be needed on those days when it was raining. Snap on, snap off. I think this is a brilliant design. I would like to see a lot more of these kinds of designs surfacing. Bring it on guys!

Rick Hodgin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

"In pic# 3"

Nov 11, 2008 16:29     

One side low beam and the other side is high beam !
steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

"In pic# 3"

Nov 12, 2008 06:25     

Nah. that's just a power saving feature. The second headlight only comes on when the scouter detects a 3 ton SUV bearing down on you at 80 MPH. ...moments before impact!
Tom EE report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

cabin scooter version?

Nov 12, 2008 07:36     

I think it it is way cool. I think it would be nice if they made a cabin scooter version using this hybrid system. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cabinscooters
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Cost?

Nov 12, 2008 09:19     

I wonder how much would one of these cost, hopefully is's reasonable and affordable, unlike that 3 wheeled motorcycle, The Carver, they're asking 50k for that crap.
Devon M report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

...... honestly?

Nov 12, 2008 09:43     

a hybrid scooter....a fucking hybrid scooter....really? Lmao
HAHA report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

yes, honestly

Nov 12, 2008 13:34     

Hybrid Technology....f@#king hybrid technology...really! GM and OPEC thank you for buying a cash cow SUV that you use for neither sport nor utility.
Joe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

more honesty...

Nov 14, 2008 08:12     

Hey Joe, my jet burns more gas than any cash cow SUV. And the pics of that thing speeding through the corners made me laugh. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a Sport Scooter?!?!? I would laugh at anybody I saw driving one like that. Zero to 60 in 5 seconds? Nice. My Kawasaki goes from 60 to 100 in about 3 seconds and is only at 1/2 max RPM's as well. If you're going to be a scooter, then be a scooter. Don't pretend to be something you're not.

nancy pelosi report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0