Is Piaggio planning a Tata Nano rival?

MILAN (ITALY) The trend in the automotive industry in India seems to be moving towards smaller and smaller dimension passenger vehicles. Italian automobile major Piaggio is now seriously eyeing the Tata Nano space in the country. At the Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo e Motociclo e Accessori (EICMA), or the Milan Motorcycle Show the Piaggio Group introduced the NT3 Concept, a passenger vehicle. According to a company communication, the vehicle is an extraordinarily innovative vehicle, designed to meet mobility needs in areas with the highest development rates, specifically in India, Vietnam and South East Asia. NT3 is a result of Piaggio Group's innovation and technological capabilities which - together with a unique design - give life to a four wheeled, three seater vehicle never before seen on the market inspired by the basic characteristics of the ape. NT3 is a compact, safe, flexible, manoeuvrable and attractive vehicle as well as being highly competitive thanks to its contained costs, the statement from the company said. Three engine capacities The Piaggio NT3 Concept can have three different engines, all conceived for maximum environmental compatibility while still guaranteeing suitable performance for the vehicle's mission. The 200cc engine is characterised by significantly reduced costs of operation, consumption and polluting emissions. The 300cc engine, based on the consolidated technology of the Piaggio Mp3 three-wheeled scooter, provides brilliant performance in the internal combustion 300cc version. The 300 hybrid engine version integrates – as with the new Piaggio Mp3 300 Hybrid – the traditional low environmental impact internal-combustion powertrain with the zero emissions electric powertrain with performance equal to the 300cc internal combustion (80 km/hour max speed) and a speed of 30 km/hour in the ZEV "electric only" mode. The on board electronics decide, depending on the operational mode selected and the conditions of use, how much power to provide through the internal combustion engine and how much through the electric engine in order to optimise performance and consumption. The hybrid version represents the solution of excellence to satisfy the growing needs for urban mobility and metropolitan products with high environmental compatibility. The key characteristics of the concept include: -Compact size: thanks to a length of only 2.4 metres, NT3 moves about easily in traffic and is easy to park. -Load capacity: In the people carrier version, optimisation of the spaces guarantees full accommodation for three people thanks to the innovative three seat configuration with centre driving position. -Safety: NT3 is conceived around a space frame structure with crash box in order to guarantee maximum protection of the occupants. -Economy: more than 30 km with one litre of fuel. -Respect for the environment: the reduced weight allows consumption and emissions to be contained. NT3 can be available with high efficiency and low emissions power drives, including hybrid Piaggio HyS technology. -Modular: NT3 is a vehicle conceived to allow various transport solutions, such to configure a complete and diversified range of products.