Over the summer there have been rumours and speculation about a new more powerful Piaggio engine for the Vespa GTS. The launch of the upgraded Piaggio MP3 310 in Cannes last week put an end to that speculation. You can be sure that it won’t be long before the new GTS appears.
We sent ScooterNova Magazine’s Andy Gillard to the South of France to attend the press launch for this latest 26bhp 310cc MP3, here’s how he got on…
New face for the MP3
The latest Euro 5+ vehicle regulations are about to come into force and Piaggio have used this as an opportunity to not only meet the ever-demanding restrictions on vehicle emissions, but to also develop a new engine. And their ground-breaking MP3 model is where it has been utilised first.
Almost 300,000 sold
The first MP3 scooters were launched by Piaggio back in 2006 and almost 300,000 have been sold worldwide since then. The concept of a scooter with two wheels at the front and the ability to lean into corners like a regular two-wheeler offered increased stability, braking, road holding and therefore confidence to riders, especially those who had never ridden a two-wheeler before. For those with experience on two wheels, Sticky and myself took a comparable Piaggio two-wheeled scooter out against an MP3 together a few years ago in the winter months along a damp, leafy lane. On identical scooters in perfect conditions, on a race track for example, Sticky’s riding experience over my own would likely be to his advantage. However, with myself on an MP3 riding along a slippery, winding lane, the benefits of the extra wheel saw me take an uncommon lead.
Ride on a car licence
Since 2009, the spacing apart of the front wheels, along with a few other features meant it was classed as a tricycle which allows the current MP3 range to be ridden by those with just a car licence. Those customers often appreciate the confidence-boosting qualities of the MP3 as they ditch four wheels for something more capable of a daily commute.
Cleaner Commuter
Approximately every 90 seconds during the working day, an aeroplane descends over London as it prepares to land at Heathrow airport to the west of the city. Travellers flying from there will most likely have paid the ULEZ charge because they drove a non-compliant car to the airport (Heathrow’s car parks sit inside the Low Emission Zone). I’m not certain how you calculate the pollution it emits along the way, but there is an irony that it was from Heathrow airport that I flew out to the south of France to test ride the new MP3 310. The sad fact is, when it comes to reducing pollution in populated areas, it’s easier to regulate commuter scooters ridden by individuals rather than the large corporate airlines flying above that probably have more financial connections with the politicians voting on the restrictive regulations than a scooter rider ever will.
Fly in the ointment
And before anyone brings up Brexit, firstly the UK is still part of continental Europe. Secondly, we are such a small market compared to the rest of the continent that even if our government decided not to adopt EU emissions regulations on these shores, no mass-production manufacturer would find it feasible to pander to our needs. Fortunately, Piaggio’s tinkering for Euro 5+ has resulted in a larger capacity 310cc engine (actually 309.7cc) with more power and a little more top speed too. Two years in the making, the motor is 70% new compared to its predecessor. That includes new crankcase, pulley and double-tooth drive belt. It is still a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve injected engine but the top end is now 75×70.1 to give 309.7cc whereas the previous ‘300’ engine was 75×64 which was only 278cc. New output figures are 19.4kW (26.4hp) at 7500rpm and 27.3Nm of torque. The quoted top speed is now 129kmh (80.16mph), up from 120kmh (74.56mph). It does this at lower rpm, which along with other new components, all equates to an engine that runs cooler, quieter and smoother, making it more efficient, with a claimed improvement to consumption by 1.2km/l. It may not sound a lot, but every little helps.
As for the Euro 5+ part, back in early September ScooterNova exclusively revealed news of these new 310 engines in their online blog and also looked at the reasons (click HERE to read more on Euro 5+). One of those was that the catalytic converter, used to clean up exhaust emissions, must last longer before needing replacement. So although a new model inevitably comes with an increase in retail price, aspects of this particular Piaggio 310 engine should also help make ownership less expensive in the long run.
Smoother, greener, faster
As well as the motor, Piaggio also used the opportunity to create a new member of the MP3 family that was lighter and more aerodynamic than before. It also has an improved running gear, the increase in engine performance necessitating the rest of the scooter can match it. The chassis is improved, the wheelbase a little longer, the suspension uprated and at the front the redesigned bodywork is thanks to time spent developing the aerodynamics at the Aprilia factory in Noale, the sporting motorcycle brand owned by Piaggio. This of course has also contributed to the claimed smoother, quieter and hopefully cheaper running scooter we see here.
This new MP3 model is smaller than the current ‘maxi’ range of MP3 scooters, more akin to the Yourban which was launched back in 2011 and was discontinued around 2019. It feels a little more urban too as you filter through traffic, compared to the larger MP3 models.
Storage
For carrying things, you have the fairly large underseat storage space that will take some crash helmets (especially open-face models), a luggage hook that folds out from the legshields, plus a little space hidden behind a flap on top of the dashboard. Inside here you will find a USB charger and space for a mobile phone, although not those ridiculously large ones some people carry around with them.
New dash
The LCD dash itself offers easy-to-read speed, revs, fuel and temperature gauges, and slightly less easy-to-read current economy and distance remaining before you run out of petrol, two options you can scroll through with the ‘mode’ button. The new MP3 310 Sport models come pre-equipped with Piaggio’s multi-media platform MIA system which syncs to your mobile phone and does loads of trick tech stuff.
Locking body
As clever as all that tech may be, you still need a human to ride this scooter, and there is plenty to enjoy about the ride too. As per the MP3 range, when parked the front wheels are mechanically locked to stop it falling over. Once underway, this locking can be operated electronically via a handlebar button, or you can put your feet down when you come to a halt (more about that in the video above). To begin with though there is a keyless ignition, something I personally am not a fan of, but it seems that’s the way things are going. The scooter recognises the key which means it can stay in your pocket, you unlock, press a button, fire up the engine, twist the throttle and go. The starter motor is allegedly quieter than before, which is difficult to quantify without a direct comparison. The acceleration is brisk and smooth, however, which is easy to feel. It doesn’t take much to get you underway, and the MP3 310 needs little encouragement to circumnavigate traffic that threatens to slow it down.
And Brake…
Out of town, as the roads cleared, the acceleration from 40 to 60mph began as soon as you increased the throttle and was soon achieved. The bulk of an MP3 over a conventional scooter is undeniable, but Piaggio’s test riders had chosen a twisty route to show us just how nimble it could be. Throw into the equation some rough surfaces and roadworks, and the handling proved its worth on the day. Despite not having a long stretch to test the top speed, the MP3 had enough acceleration to exit a fast corner and propel itself to almost 70mph in a distance I thought too short for this to be possible, followed by a sharp left turn at a rock face, then a sharp right as the road turned and the terrain beyond dropped towards the sea. It was here that my hard braking called the anti-lock ABS into action for the only time during the day. It was effective and in my opinion, the right time for this to activate.
The experts explained
Speaking to Piaggio technicians afterwards, they explained that the three-channel ABS units used are sourced from Continental in Germany but calibrated by Piaggio technicians specifically for the model. They have certainly got it right as far as I am concerned, especially when compared to some other brands of scooter I have ridden in the past where the ABS has arguably been more of a hindrance than an additional safety feature. The MP3 also has ASR traction control, and again I only managed to activate this by accelerating hard from a standing start on a gravel-type surface.
Responsive
ABS aside, the three-disc brakes bring this scooter to a controlled halt as suddenly or as gradually as you desire. Then a quick twist of the throttle and you are away again. The new 310 engine does indeed appear responsive, smooth and more eager than the old 278cc motor when it comes to rolling starts and overtaking. On the coastal road we followed, there was plenty to keep us busy and put this to the test, which for me resulted in an enjoyable ride.
If only that was my daily commuter route…
Comfort
The seat is comfortable, the screen okay for my height (5’6″) with not much buffeting or noise, and the mirrors gave good views of what I’d just passed. Without riding at night I cannot comment on the lights, but one assumes these will be more than satisfactory because Piaggio know what they are doing and the new MP3 has a cute face…
The price?
As for options, the new Piaggio MP3 310 is available in two different versions. The Piaggio MP3 310 at £7,650 and the Sport at £7,900. The standard MP3 310 will come in two glossy colours: Bianco Luna and the all-new Grigio Grafite. The Piaggio MP3 310 Sport will be available in matt metallic shade Nero Meteora, Grigio Mercurio (shiny) and Blu Zaffiro, with matte finish. The Sport version is completed by sporty blue accents, such as the contrast stitching on the saddle and the decals on the black rims. Front brake discs with wave profile and a footboard with aluminium inserts are included as standard, as is the Piaggio MIA connectivity system.
After this, the options include lap cover, top case, taller windscreen and the other usual bits. Speak to your local scooter shop for more details.
Summing it up
As for the rest, well a short test ride is not the place to substantiate all the claims of a manufacturer, but they have suggested things are going in the right direction. The new MP3 310 is a nice scooter to ride and certainly feels more refined than MP3s before it. If everything Piaggio says falls into place regarding performance, emissions and economy, and a further test ride achieves the extra mph promised, then I can see this model carrying the MP3 flag forward for some time yet.
Vespa GTS?
As speculated in the ScooterNova blog here a few weeks ago, we are likely to see a Vespa GTS 310 before the end of 2024. While I couldn’t get any confirmation on the record regarding spec or dates, a Piaggio representative did pretty much confirm my story by saying that they “Don’t spend two years developing a new engine for just one model” smiling wryly as he spoke…
As for ‘when’, it will likely be unveiled at the Eicma Milan Motorcycle Show in November, and possibly presented to the press before the year is out. I doubt however it will appear in UK shops before 2025, but of course, I don’t mind being proved wrong on occasion…
Words: Andy Gillard – ScooterNova magazine
Photos: Milagro
Piaggio MP3 310S Tech spec
Engine: 310cc Piaggio HPE, liquid-cooled, four-stroke single cylinder
Power: 26.4 bhp at 7,500 rpm
Torque: 27.3 Nm at 6,000 rpm
Chassis: Double cradle in high-strength tubular steel
Front suspension: Articulated quadrilateral, Electro-hydraulic suspension blocking system
Rear suspension: Dual hydraulic shock absorbers with 4-position adjustment
Brakes: Twin 258mm front discs, rear 240mm disc, with ABS (and ASR traction control)
Wheels: Front 110/70-13″, rear 140/60-14″
Dimensions: Length 2035mm, width 800mm, wheelbase 1455mm
Seat height: 790mm
Fuel capacity: 11 litres
Emissions compliance: Euro 5+
Price: TBC
Contact: Piaggio
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