Piaggio introduces 156 mpg high performance hybrid two wheeler..

[Fumesucker]

http://www.gizmag.com/piaggio-shows-high-performance-hybrid-two-wheeler/13354/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=bd30ce63fd-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

Piaggio's MP3 was the world's first hybrid three-wheeler and at EICMA this week, it showed what is likely to be the first two-wheeled hybrid – the Piaggio USB (urban sport bike). The combination of a highly efficient, low-emmission GDI (gasoline direct injection) two-stroke motor and an electric motor, the USB is much smaller than it looks in the images and weighs in at just 130 kg. The USB runs 50km (30 miles) on electric only, and returns 1.5 l/100 km (156 U.S. mpg and 188 imperial mpg).

Quite remarkably, the performance of the USB is awesome using both to develop a claimed combined torque figure of 200 Nm which means the plug-in USB blitzes to its top speed of 100 kmh far faster than your average performance car.

For the electric propulsion only, the 2.5 Kw/h lithium-polymer batteries offer a 50 Km endurance at a cruising speed of 60 kmh and the USB will be reconfigurable as a single-seater, twin-seat, or with top-box. Piaggio's Vespa popularised the scooter in the fifties and its three-wheeled architecture is revolutionary too - this looks to be a particularly viable concept and we think it'll see production.

[Lerkfish]

1. wow, very cool looking

[madrchsod]

2. where`s she going to sit?

oh ya.... nice looking scooter....

[Nederland]

9. Scooter?

What are you talking about? I don't see any...oh, I see it now.

[itsrobert]

3. It's a hybrid moped?

Cruising speed is about 36 miles per hour?

[Fumesucker]

4. 100 kph top speed.. about 62 mph.. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

5. Nice, but I wouldn't ride one in today's traffic

I gave up my last motorcycle about twenty years ago. Used to be, drivers didn't "see" motorcycles, now, with cell phones, they don't even see other cars.

I guess I'm a confirmed "cager", as the bike crowd used to call automobile drivers years ago.

[FormerDittoHead]

6. Piaggio USB - so I recharge it by plugging it into my PC?

And does the Piaggio MP3 support iTunes?

[Altoid_Cyclist]

7. I showed the picture to my '97' Civic and now it's depressed.

That would be the perfect commuter except for the occasional snow day.

Customer Service Guy has a point, but the way that people drive today, I fear for my life regardless of what I'm driving or riding.

It is pretty cool looking though.

[man4allcats]

8. I'll take one.

The bike's not bad either. ;-)