Driven: Piaggio MP3 350 and 500

A revolution for motorists: 12 vehicles have been sold in 170.000 years.

Indeed, it is difficult to find a place on this planet where one could meet as many three-wheeled scooters in one place as in Paris. The fact that there are many such scooters there should be explained by at least two factors. First, getting a motorcycle license in France is not a cat's cough, so Piaggio has convincingly reached out to a host of would-be motorcyclists with an approval that allows them to ride in the "B" category. Secondly, Paris and similar cities rich in history and tradition are full of paved (and therefore dangerous) stretches of road and traffic patterns, which in themselves require a lot of care from the driver. It is difficult for an ordinary person to cope with stability and security. But with a revolutionary front axle design, Piaggio turned everything upside down 12 years ago.

With over 170.000 units sold in total, Piaggio has cut up to 3 percent of its class in its class with its MP70, and with an update this year that made it even more spacious, more efficient, modern and more useful, it should have its own market positions will at least strengthen, if not even improve.

Who buys MP3s anyway?

Analysis of customer data shows that MP3 files are mostly chosen by men between the ages of 40 and 50, who live in big cities and come from high social and professional circles. Then the scooter is for the successful.

The evolution of the model since its introduction on the market in 2006 has been marked by several key turning points, the most important of which is by far the introduction of the LT model (Type B approval). The time for a design update came in 2014 when the MP3 got a new back and a new front has been added this year. From the point of view of power plant technology, it is worth mentioning the release of the 400 cc engine. See in 2007 and the introduction of the Hybrid in 2010.

More power, less difference

This time Piaggio focused on propulsion technology. From now on, MP3 will be available with two engines. As a base, the 350-cubic-foot single-cylinder engine familiar from the Beverly will now be installed in a tubular frame. This engine, despite its compact dimensions, which, if we talk about it in centimeters, is similar to the previous 300 cubic meter engine, and its characteristics are closer or almost equal to the larger 400 cubic meter engine. Compared to the 300, the 350 cc engine is 45 percent more powerful, which of course makes itself felt when driving. It's not hard for Piaggio to admit that the 300 cc engine. The cm for a 240kg scooter was too modest, but in the same price range, performance was no longer in doubt.

For those who are even more demanding or for those who also want to achieve higher highway speeds, a refurbished 500 cubic meter single-cylinder engine with HPE label is now available. Thus, the HPE acronym means that the engine has a redesigned air filter housing, new camshafts, a new exhaust system, a new clutch and an increased compression ratio, all of which are enough to increase power by 14 percent (now 32,5 kW or 44,2 kW ). "Horsepower") and an average of 10 percent less fuel consumption.

The updated design will also bring more practicality and comfort.

Both models received an updated front, which now also has a useful drawer for small items above the sensors. The front end has been meticulously tuned in a wind tunnel to create an all-new windshield that makes the MP3 faster and better protects the driver from wind and rain.

The long seat, which almost certainly has the largest storage space underneath, opens wide and is easily accessible, it is still two-tiered, but the height difference between the front and rear is less. We also find some innovations in the field of equipment and design. These include LED direction indicators, new rims, new body colors, corrugated brake discs on two models (350 and 500 Sport), electronic anti-theft protection, mechanical burglar protection in the under-seat luggage compartment and much more. things. It is worth noting that a new collection of boutiques and, of course, an updated list of accessories will arrive in showrooms at the same time as the new model.

Three models available

If the performance differences have narrowed slightly with the use of two new MP3 powertrains, buyers will still have to choose between three different models.

Piaggio MP3 350

It is equipped with ABS and ASR (switchable) as standard, as well as a multimedia platform, which we will discuss in more detail below. As for the color offer, it is the richest in the base model. It is available in five colors: black, gray and green (all three are matte) and bright white and gray.

Piaggio MP3 500 HPE Business

Basically, this model is equipped with Tom Tom Vio Navigator navigation, and compared to its predecessor, it received a new rear shock absorber. Bitubo oils continue to remain, but they now have an external oil tank that improves cooling, and therefore the suspension maintains its optimum damping properties even with more intensive use. The multimedia platform is also standard, and chrome accents add a touch of elegance to it. It will be available in white, black, matte gray and matte blue.

Piaggio MP3 500 HPE Sport

Painted in a slightly more racing tone, the model also has corrugated front brake discs and a Kayaba rear suspension with red springs and gas dampers. At the expense of comfort, the Sport model does not lose anything compared to the Bussiness model, and gas shock absorbers should provide more dynamics through improved traction. It will be recognizable by its matte black details and is available in pastel white and pastel gray.

New multimedia platform for smartphones

It is well known that Piaggio is setting new standards in the scooter world. The first to introduce ABS in the 125cc class, the first to introduce the ASR system and many other technical solutions from the list. So it comes as no surprise that even in terms of smartphone connectivity, the new MP3 is really the best at the moment. The smartphone can be connected via a USB connection and will display all vehicle types and driving data if desired. The display will digitally show speed, speed, engine power, available torque efficiency, acceleration data, incline data, average and current fuel consumption, average speed, maximum speed and battery voltage. Tire pressure data is also available, and with proper navigation support, your MP3 will take you to the nearest gas station or possibly a pizzeria if needed.

While driving

It's no secret that the Piaggio MP3 is one of the most stable and reliable scooters (as well as motorcycles) when it comes to road holding and braking. With new, more powerful engines, the potential for safe on-road entertainment is even greater than its predecessor. No, none of the invited journalists commented on this. However, I myself have noticed that the new MP3 is much lighter on the steering wheel and front compared to the first models we tested and drove. The suspension and front axle haven't changed much, Piaggio said, so I attribute this greater lightness to the larger, now 13-inch front wheels (previously 12-inch), which are also lighter than the previous ones. Otherwise, it received larger MP3 discs prior to this year's refurbishment, so those of you with a model newer than 2014 probably won't notice much of a change in this area. We haven't been able to test the scooters' extreme capabilities while driving past the sights of Paris, but at least for speeds of just under 100 kilometers per hour, I can say that both the 350 and 500 cc models are as lively as the classic ones. two-wheeled scooters of a comparable class in terms of volume.

At Piaggio, they take particular pride in the improvement in workmanship. There was still a really small flaw in the scooters intended for test rides, which Piaggio explained is only typical of this first pre-series, while those who go to showrooms will be impeccable.

Finally about the price

It is known that MP3 is not exactly cheap, but even after the resumption of price differentials in most markets, which are now 46, should not be expected. However, one must not forget who the buyers of these scooters are, and of course they have the money. It may be a little more difficult to get to in Slovenian conditions, but I can confidently say that MP3 is pretty much capable of taking on the role of a second or third machine. And in addition to all of the above, at least for me personally, MP3 also convinces with a short sentence from one of the engineers involved in the development of the new model: "Everything is made in Italy... "And if somewhere, then there they know how to make an excellent scooter.

Price

MP3 350 EUR 8.750,00

MP3 500 HPE 9.599,00 euros