Modern Vespa

I was wondering what was said about the MP3 Hybrids at the dealer meeting in Arizona last week? My salesman said that they are expecting them in the US next fall and have a rated MPG of 50-200? They seem to be VERY excited about them. For comparison they ordered 12 of the MP3 250 for the Spring 2006 season, and for they Hybrid they are estimating 100 and a backlog.
I guess my question for anyone who was there are:

1. With the MPG range so large (50-200mpg) what conditions are optimal to reach 200mpg or close to it.

2. What versions are they making, just the MP3 bodystyle or the Fuoco body style also?

3. Will Piaggio actually be advertising aggressively in the US for these hybrids? I have never in my life seen a Piaggio advertisement, and I feel this could be a HUGE opportunity for them to get to customers who have never even considered a scooter before. Something like a daily commuter who travels 30 miles each way spends about $200-$300 a month on gas when they could be spending $15-$20 with the Hybrid.

4. Are they available in Europe yet and if not are there any literature, pictures, mock-ups, specs to be found on them?

5. Price. Dealer made it sound like the price difference wouldn't be that significant, he had no solid numbers or anything, but felt that 15% more would probably be the most. Any info on this?

6. Any other information not addressed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If they act at all like a hybrid automobiles, they'll get their best fuel mileage around town, where the scoot will rely more on the electric motor then the gas engine (That assuming that they use a system similar to the Toyota Prius).

If they use a parrallel system, such is used in the Honda Hybrids, both the engine and electrical motor will be operating together, at all times. That type of system increases the mileage more evenly across the board. In both systems, the gasoline engine is turned off when stopped.
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Here you can see some more info on the Hybrids from Piaggio:
http://www.metaefficient.com/archives/electric-bikes/170mpg-hybrid-scooters-by-piaggio.html
and also here:
http://www.piaggiogroup.com/news/2007/piaggio_hys_hybrid_scooter__en.htm

jfredrik wrote:

If they act at all like a hybrid automobiles, they'll get their best fuel mileage around town, where the scoot will rely more on the electric motor then the gas engine (That assuming that they use a system similar to the Toyota Prius). If they use a parrallel system, such is used in the Honda Hybrids, both the engine and electrical motor will be operating together, at all times. That type of system increases the mileage more evenly across the board. In both systems, the gasoline engine is turned off when stopped.

I do not think the MP3 Hybrid motor will be able to start the engine. On the Honda Insight, which I owned, the e-motor is cast to be one with the gas engine, while in the MP3 protoype photos I saw, the e-motor was hung on the rear axle -- but also added reverse! I seem to remember claims of 146mpg.
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Thom