New from Italy indicates that the two big Italian manufacturers of Ducati and Piaggio could merge. Ducati needs no introduction, while Piaggio is the parent company of Vespa and Moto Guzzi, as well as it manufacturing scooters under its own name. The news of a possible merger comes just a week after rumours of a Piaggio sale; rumours that were subsequently denied by Piaggio, although the frequency of them now would suggest some substance. A Ducati-Piaggio merger would create a large Italian motorcycling consortium, of sorts, and could see some serious competition for the Japanese on many fronts - from scooters to superbikes. We wait further news!

Source | Motoblog.it

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The Piaggio NRG Power 50 has new graphics for 2010, showing plenty of flair on this small sports scooter. The NRG is one of Piaggio’s sportiest scooters available, equipped with 50 cc engines and 13-inch wheels.

The distinctive design includes a twin frame cradle, upside fork in light alloy, and disc brakes measuring 220 mm at the front and 175 mm at the rear. That’s a very powerful braking system for a small scooter that indicates its sports style. The NRG 50 “DT” version is the only one with a rear drum brake for more technical simplicity.

The three NRG models are available are the PJ, DT and DD versions. The PJ version is equipped with the Peugeot Hi-Per2 Pro PureJet engine with electronic injection. The DD is also a liquid-cooled engine, but uses a carburettor, and the PJ and DD are both fitted with a performance muffler. For more details, see the press release after the jump.

Continue reading: 2010 Scooters: Piaggio NRG Power 50

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Over the next week or so, we’ll be bringing you a scooter a day, with the 2010 scooter models available kicking off today with the lovely Piaggio Liberty and Liberty “Elle”. Future model profiles will include scooters from Aprilia, Peugeot, Kymco and more. The Liberty is a successful lightweight, high-wheel scooter for Piaggio, maintaining its 2009 looks and technology, and is available in 50cc, 125cc and 150 cc four-stroke versions. There is also a 50cc two-stroke available.

The Liberty “Elle” 2010 version is designed specifically for women, with a lower seat height of 765 mm for the 50cc, and 775 mm for the 125 cc, which is 20 mm lower than the standard versions. The Liberty Elle comes in pink colour, with a dedicated top case and “Elle” branded helmet.

The Piaggio Liberty has a tubular steel frame, and ten spoke alloy wheels measuring 16 inches at the front and 14 inches at the rear. They are shod with 90/80 and 110/80 tyres. The rear has a 140 mm drum brake and the front has a 240 mm front disc with a double piston calliper.

The Liberty engine range includes the powerful 125 and 150 cc versions with seven litre fuel tank, while the smaller 50cc versions are great for city riding for younger and female users, with the choice of either a two-stroke or four-stroke. See after the jump for more Liberty pics and technical specs.

Piaggio Liberty 2010

Continue reading: 2010 scooters: Piaggio Liberty Elle starts "a scooter a day" series

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Live at EICMA Piaggio has presented the hybrid USB “scooter”. USB in fact stands for Urban Sport Bike, a concept designed by Marco Lambri at Piaggio’s Pontedera Style Centre. The Piaggio USB is another step in the company’s exploration of urban motoring, and attempts to combine ecology with fun and safety in an innovative design.

Piaggio has its roots in scootering innovation, from the Vespa to the latest MP3 Hybrid and this prototype is another development on that hybrid technology. The Piaggio USB combines scooter, motorcycle and automobile technology, in an unusual design form with snug seating for the rider in an almost F1 maxi-scooter mix.

The Piaggio USB is equipped with a thermal two-stroke GDI motor and a rear wheel electric machine. It can run off either hybrid or full electric mode and has plug-in option for zero emissions riding too. Full details after the jump, and more Piaggio USB pics in the gallery.

Piaggio USB hybrid prototype

Continue reading: Piaggio USB hybrid concept at EICMA

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If you’re a woman who loves to ride scooters and adores the the colour pink and likes to attract attention wherever you go, then Piaggio has something just for you in their new 2010 lineup.

Taking one their best selling scooters, the Liberty, Piaggio has dedicated it exclusively to their female clientele and have called it the Liberty Elle.

Painted in a new bright and vibrant pink with bold and special graphics, this attraction grabber comes with a luggage box in the same colour and to make even more glamorous it can be combined with a matching pink helmet with the same graphics as the scooter and the word Elle stitched on it.

Even the saddle has women riders in mind and has been lowered with respect to the standard version to make it easier to handle, the 50cc 4 stroke has been lowered to 765mm and the 125cc 4 stroke to 775mm making it even easier to handle.

Continue reading: Pretty in Pink with the Piaggio Liberty Elle

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In good news for Moto Guzzi workers and the town itself, Moto Guzzi production will remain at the Mandello facilities on Lake Como, while the company will also prepare for a relaunch of the facility and new models in 2013. The news comes in an announcement from Piaggio Group president, Roberto Colaninno.

The move comes after meetings among Moto Guzzi management and with union and regional government representatives. Piaggio management has made the decision that Moto Guzzi is to remain at Mandello and the new initiatives will also be undertaken at the facilities. Research and development of new Guzzi models, however, will move to Noale.

Moto Guzzi workers at Mandello are optimistic that this is the final decision in a long process of determining the future of Mandello Moto Guzzi production, and it will hopefully prove to be an important opportunity for the company to renew some of its activities at the plant. Beyond that, it’s an extremely symbolic event for the Italian motorcycle icon.

Source | Motociclismo.it via Motoblog.it

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French scooter tuning house MXS Custom has come with this two stroke 172cc prototype scooter dragster named the 2Evil. Aluminum frame, Piaggio DNA engine, Malossi Overange kit and Roost exhaust system tailor made for the 2Evil and it does 150 meters on the strip in a little less than 6 seconds

After the jump, check out the 2Evil in action during the DSSC (Deutsche Scooter Sprint Comitee) who organizes scooter drag races, this one was at Hoxter in Germany.

Continue reading: The 2Evil Dragster

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A petition to save Moto Guzzi’s original factory at Mandello del Lario is underway, as Piaggio plans to close the facility and move workers to other plants. MCN seems to be championing various causes this month, as they are also conducting a “Reclaim North Wales” campaign.

Moto Guzzi has been making bikes at its Mandello site since 1921, and the factory still houses the wind-tunnel facilities for the company. I lived in the area for more than a year, with Mandello like a little backyard for the people of that area of Lake Como. The Moto Guzzi company gives a small slice of history and modest notoriety to the area, so for romance’s sake and the 150 people who work there, here’s hoping the factory stays open.

If you want to sign the petition, see the MCN petition details.

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The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid is set to revolutionise urban motoring with this unique hybrid scooter. It was released recently and for full MP3 hybrid details and pics of the scooter, check out our original post. Here’s video for you to see the hybrid MP3 in action.

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There is plenty of excitement going on at Piaggio these days, with the release of the brand new MP3 Hybrid. Those who see themselves cruising Rome on a scooter can now also do it knowing they’re respecting the environment and going easy on the pocket. While Piaggio is talking “revolution”, this is more of an evolution on the road to economical and environmental urban motoring.

Telling figures though, are a comparison of the hybrid scooter with other vehicle options. The MP3 hybrid in electric mode has no emissions whatsoever. In combined mode, CO2 emissions are a mere 40 g/km and fuel consumption is such that you can get 60 km off just one litre of petrol. A generic fuel driven scooter produces about 90 g/km of CO2 emissions, the environmental benefits are clear.

See after the jump for the full press release from Piaggio on its new pride and joy, and see the full MP3 gallery to see the style of this innovative model. There is currently no news regarding pricing and availability, but we’re keen to see this hybrid scooting around the streets of major cities in the future.

Continue reading: Piaggio MP3 Hybrid pics and details

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