Sempre Una Vespa - We are sure most of you must have seen the Piaggio MP3 passing by on the streets in your place. But has it ever think by us how the Italian scooter manufacturer first developed it? Well, on this occasion we will show to You the figure of several three-wheeled vehicles that were ever develop and launch in the 1980s which is most likely the forerunner of the Piaggio MP3.
The Trautwein Doppelfront Prototype built on Piaggio Vespa PX 200 E-Lusso by Dr. Wolfgang Trautwein.(Picture from: MedienWerkStatt)
You would be remembered that long before the Piaggio MP3 was born, the Italian scooter manufacturer had also produced simple three-wheeled vehicles such as the Piaggio Ape. Of course, in terms of appearance and technology, the classic three-wheeled vehicle is far behind when compared to the MP3.
Then you will ask whether previously there were three-wheeled vehicles that had technology similar to the Piaggio MP3, of course the answers were many, such as the Italjet Scooop without forgetting the Renault Ublò concept or Autostudi A-Trix and many others.
The Trautwein Doppelfront Prototype built on Piaggio Vespa PX 200 E-Lusso while on the road testing.(Picture from: SoyMotero.net)
Well, when we talk about the Piaggio MP3, of course we will discuss exclusively about tilting three wheeler vehicles, not vehicles like the classic Piaggio Ape, sidecars (there are also tilted) or ordinary tricycles. So it can simply be said that what we will be discussed is more focus on three-wheeled vehicles with two wheels positioned in front (such later adopted by the Piaggio MP3), because it is considered more rational, stable and effective than the one which has two wheels at rear.
The Trautwein Doppelfront Prototype built on Piaggio Vespa PK 125 by Dr. Wolfgang Trautwein. (Picture from: 2StrokeBuzz)
It's hard to say who actually first developed a three-wheeled vehicle like this. However, the history of the tilting three wheeler vehicle can be said to have started with a such vehicle developed in 1946 by Ernst Neumann called the Neander N2. As can be seen from the old image circulating in internet, the Neumann-developed three-wheeled vehicle is a three-wheeled racing car that looks has double spring that tip with driver's weight, so it can tilt while speeding on the curves.
The Trautwein Doppelfront Prototype built on Piaggio Vespa PK 125 while on the road testing. (Picture from: BikeIt.gr)
Dr. Wolfgang Trautwein (Picture from: Maxmatic.com)
And the forerunner of the MP3 which was specifically developed by the Italian manufacturer stems from the Trautwein Doppelfront tilting three-wheeled prototype which was originally developed by an engineer, inventor from Meersburg at the Bodensee, Germany named Dr. Wolfgang Trautwein in the 1980s.
Initially, the concept started from the implemented vehicle by a simple and effective dual-wheel in front, where its modular steering system so that it can be combined with different vehicles, it is even said to have been installed on the Honda CX500C and is combined with the Silver Wing fairing model (not a scooter as it is today).
The first tilting three-wheeler developed in 1946 by Ernst Neumann called the Neander N2 racing car that looks has double spring that tip with driver's weight, so it can tilt while speeding on the curves. (Picture from: Cybermotorcycle)
Dr. Trautwein suggested the concept using the Vespa-scooter platform, exactly three decades after the first motorcycle was equipped with a double-front chassis. In mid-1984 Dr. Trautwein received two original Vespa scooters (Vespa PX 200 E-Lusso and Vespa PK 125) from the Genoa-based scooter manufacturer to build a prototype of the tilting three-wheeler vehicle which later could be considered to be the forerunner of the MP3 today.
The Trautwein Doppelfront Prototype built on Honda CX 500 by Dr. Wolfgang Trautwein. (Picture from: Wikimedia)
Under the hoods, the Vespa tricycles hide the newest variant of the Trautwein developed front axle for motorcycles, known as the parallelogram axle. Thus, the scooter effectively avoids wheel-flutter. The suspension is arranged so that the wheels do not only turn when rolling, but also tilt. The floorboards of the Vespa are firmly connected to the lower parallelogram, and follow its movements. This changed style of driving comes relatively easily to the rider.
The Trautwein Doppelfront Prototype built on Honda CX 500 while on the road testing. (Picture from: Epilog.de)
And according to Dr. Trautwein, the chassis offers many safety advantages, ie decreased hazard of front end slip on wet pavement, rails, etc. The vehicle provided more safer braking, better handling when it cornering. Furthermore it provided more space for a trunk over the front axle. Besides, the comfort is quite convincing.
The Aprilia Los Angeles three-wheeler concept is shown as a prototype of the Intelligent Mobility Lab. Motorizzato Piaggio Master 500 at the 2000 Bologna Motorshow. (Picture from: ApriliaForum)
The concept of a tilting three-wheeled vehicle is continuously being developed by Piaggio and at the 2000 Bologna Motorshow, another well-known Italian brand, Aprilia launched the Los Angeles is a prototype of the Intelligent Mobility Lab. Motorizzato Piaggio Master 500, refined and evolved and already has the electro-hydraulic block to do without the stand. There is no mention of production, but of accessories, ABS, GPS and a covered version with a reclining roof. Unfortunately, it will remain a prototype, even in this case it is the lack of economic liquidity that takes away the possibility of driving it on the roads, but now the way is marked.
The Piaggio MP3 500 HPE Sport Advanced known as the world's first tilting three-wheeled vehicle featured with reverse gear. (Picture from: GridOto)
Finally the first model of Piaggio MP3 was launched in 2006 and marketed globally by this Italian manufacturer which then occupies the highest niche in its production line to this day. The Piaggio MP3 is known as the world's first tilting three-wheeled motorcycle which is equipped with various mainstay features so that it is claimed to be more safer to ride. And today Piaggio MP3 comes in many variants under several powertrain options ie 250cc, 300cc, 400cc and 500cc. 🇮🇹
Finally the first model of Piaggio MP3 was launched in 2006 and marketed globally by this Italian manufacturer which then occupies the highest niche in its production line to this day. The Piaggio MP3 is known as the world's first tilting three-wheeled motorcycle which is equipped with various mainstay features so that it is claimed to be more safer to ride. And today Piaggio MP3 comes in many variants under several powertrain options ie 250cc, 300cc, 400cc and 500cc. 🇮🇹
