Powered by a 500cc, single-cylinder engine, this prototype tricycle is aimed at urban commuters who want more stability on pot-holed city streets than you might get from say, a traditional scooter.
There are no official technical details from the Italian scooter maker on the tricycle, but it appears to have a kind of 'scissor' type steering rack arrangement, which allows the twin wheels to tilt in unison, to allow lively - yet precise - cornering.
Pipework
Judging by the amount of pipework visible at the front end, it seems likely that a computer unit, featuring a horizon/wheel speed sensor, leans the wheels by hydraulics, which will safely control the wheel angle during cornering.
Must be pretty clever stuff, as when you think about it, the outer wheel must always bear a much greater load, and a slightly different ride height, than the inner one, on any given corner.
There's no information about whether this bizarre, urban warrior trike will go into full scale production, or the estimated price, but let's hope Piaggio can make something viable from this truly unique design, which actually has a practical benefit for city riding scooterists.
