It has been 17 years since the first prototype of the Piaggio Group MP3 came to light. It was a revolution that no one was betting on. A motorcycle with three wheels that began marketing the following year. We are all wrong, such has been the success that it is expected to have unlimited longevity, as has happened with the iconic Vespa from the same manufacturer. Where it is sold the most is in France, specifically in the populous city of Paris and Spain is the second country with the most sales of this model.
Now a new generation has been put up for sale. The changes that it incorporates are really very extensive. From a new chassis, lighter, with the already known suspension system, new riding position by bringing the handlebars closer to the rider and a new positioning of the footrests.
The blinkers are now embedded in the new bodywork by having a much wider front to reach the regulations in which this vehicle is located, tricycle, to be able to drive it with a car driving license. Also in the rear there are changes such as the double exhaust. The instrument cluster is also new with a TFT screen seven inches in color. Now to start it you no longer need a key as before, now it has the keyless system.
Three versions are marketed, the basic 400 HPE, the 400 HPE Sport and the 530 HPE with a new propeller, the latter equipped with an ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance System) device, with driver assistance, warning of blind spots or lane changes. through the instrument panel. This system is based on the 4D Imaging Radar technology developed by Piaggio. This version also comes standard with reverse gear with rear video camera and cruise control. Under the seat, a large hole allows to house two full-face helmets.
Two full-face helmets fit under the seat
Of the two motorizations tested, the new 530 engine is the most powerful, 44.2 horsepower, which allows really fast trips in and out of the city, but the 400 is also not far behind in being able to dose the available power (35.3 horsepower) from much lower revolutions. .
Once started, in both cases, the sensations are still very good compared to previous generations. Safety that it transmits both on the straight and on the curve continues to surprise us. Not the slightest scare, the tires copy the asphalt at all times regardless of what type it is. Even if it is wet or slides, this scooter handles it without problems and, in addition, it has ASR traction control that also helps in this regard. The braking, with three wheels and a disc on each one of them, allows really short stops, it also comes standard with the ABS anti-lock system.
In short, both the 400 and 530 versions with the new appearance and chassis offer really good performance and the general finishes are top quality.
The prices at which they are marketed start at 10,499 of the basic, 500 euros more for the 400 HPE Sport version and 2,500 more for the more equipped and powerful 530.