Piaggio's Engineer Tells Why MP3 3-wheeled Scooter is So Successful
2009/10/08 | By Quincy Liang
The mechanical engineer was also exclusively interviewed by the Taiwan Motorcycle and Parts Guide (TMG), published by the CENS, during which he discussed in detail the styling, design and technicalities of the MP3, as well as its reason for success.
Di Tanna handles vehicle design, simulation and tests and new subsystem concepts besides technical management of funded projects. He is also responsible for the management of technical activities in projects and development of non-conventional vehicles and electronic system for active/passive safety.
Winning recognition at the 2008 annual international SETC (Small Engine Technology Conference) held in Milwaukee, Di Tanna's article (in cooperation with University Of Pisa) titled "Comparison between experimental and numerical handling Tests for a Three-Wheeled Motorcycle" was named one of the 10 best articles presented, from among more than 80 articles.
Complimenting the Taiwan motorcycle industry, Di Tanna said: “My first impression of the motorcycle show is that Taiwan has very strong capability in new technologies."
"To stay competitive enough a company requires market share, in which new technologies and innovation play key roles," the engineer said. "The MP3 is a vehicle with which Piaggio has shown its innovation capability. This scooter, being currently the world's safest, is a perfect basis for each further innovation that Piaggio wants to show, i.e. its hybrid version, which can be both the cutting edge of scooter thermal engines and a ZEV vehicle, because the vehicle can run fully on electric mode if needed."
Thermal and electric engines both have advantages and disadvantages that are often complementary. Combustion engines offer better range and power, but their torque is low at low revs, which is bad for powered vehicles. On the other hand, electric engines are zero-emission and offer very quick pick-up and their maximum torque is disposable at zero revs, but the batteries have low range and limited speed. With the Piaggio hybrid propulsion system on the MP3, riders no longer have to choose between performance and environment friendliness, or buy two scooters, one for urban commutes and one for longer trips.
MP3's Tech Advantages
According to Di Tanna, the MP3 hybrid features several functions or advantages not found on typical scooters.
The first is the hybrid charging: the electric motor and internal combustion engine (ICE) can simultaneously power the wheels; batteries can be recharged both from plug in device or during travel; zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) range of 20 kilometers; and energy recovery with regenerative braking.
The second is the hybrid power, Di Tanna said. The hybrid system on MP3 is a "parallel" hybrid in which the ICE and an electric motor are mechanically and electronically linked and simultaneously supply power to the wheels. In this linked gas/electric engine, the ICE behaves like a normal four-stroke engine with excellent performance and distance range on the one hand and low emissions and fuel consumption on the other. The gas engine offers sparkling performance in standard running, with the possibility of battery recharge while riding. And, whenever the rider needs to accelerate particularly fast — when starting from a stopped position, for example — the electric motor assists the engine, supplying about 85% extra performances that gives the vehicle snappier, more efficient acceleration over the first hundred metres, when it is really needed in town riding.
The power-assist function, the engineer said, make the hybrid propulsion system with a 125cc ICE own acceleration capability similar to a 250cc ICE-only system.
In the first three modes the hybrid system manages power output from the two engines, ICE and electric, using a drive-by-wire type system: the electronic management system (EMS) interprets the rider's request for more torque and selects the assist ratio based on the state of the system (e.g. the level of battery charge). During deceleration and braking, the control system recovers and accumulates electric power in the battery derived from the kynetic energy, thus on normal vehicles it is simply tranformed into heath by brakes. The three hybrid modes are conceived to optimize performances, consumption and battery charge.
In electric-only mode, the hybrid system shuts down the ICE and turns into a silent, zero-emission electric vehicle.
Under a driving mode of 65% ICE power and 35% electric power, the fuel consumption of a hybrid system with a 125cc ICE can reach 60 kilometers per liter, twice that of a 250cc medium-displacement ICE. Such great fuel-efficiency, according to Di Tanna, is achieved by the integrated vehicle management system (VMS) developed by Piaggio.
World's Safest Scooter
"The MP3 is the safest scooter in the world," Di Tanna claimed with full confidence. "Cars are statically stable without major steering actions," Di Tanna said, "thus two-wheelers need to change their trajectory to maintain a dynamic stability; so they need to maintain the front-wheel rotation and contact ever. The three-wheeled MP3 is inherently safer than two-wheelers, because of its three points of contact and its particular and patented front double suspension which is able to transfer the changes of load from a wheel to the other. This feature provides better braking and magnetic road holding keeping up-to-40-degree leaning capability."
Riding the MP3 realizes noticeable and immediate feedback of road situation and surface condition, with stopping distances shorter by 18% on paved road and 38% on cobblestone, Di Tanna said, showing that the MP3 is three times as safe despite surface changes. In addition, the MP3 has an electric roll-lock, with a rider simply pushing a button to activate the lock at traffic lights. This mechanism allows also parking on stairs or inclines, impossible with conventional stands.
The sales of the MP3 show the three-wheeled machine is an innovative and right way to solve the long-term problems of motorcycling safety. Many motorcyclists thought first that the three-wheeler would be boring, but immediately change their attitude after discovering the steering, performance, and safety of MP3 is very satisfying, including its braking, which even exceeds models equipped with anti-lock brake system.
Di Tanna continues to work with various international partners in European funded projects in order to upgrade the safety on the MP3 by including electronic suspension, rider protection devices, innovative brake systems and new human-machine interfaces that will allow further improvements in terms of active, passive and preventive safety in motorcycle field.
Reason for Success
The successful sales of the MP3, according to Di Tanna, is mainly due to Piaggio's pursuit of innovation, a roadmap suggested by the engineer who believes that to perform in the global powered two-wheeler (PTW) market calls for innovative products.
Three key questions have to be first asked, Di Tanna said: “what do we really love? what can we do better than everybody else? and what is driving our economics?" The man responds: “the right way to succeed is to invest in right products.”
The formula for successful innovation, Di Tanna said, is the combination of three elements: innovation, skill and brand image, as well as commitment of Firm's high management.