Piaggio launches 300cc Ape’ HT cargo and passenger three-wheeler range

Piaggio Vehicles has launched its first 300cc-powered Ape’ HT range with petrol and CNG fuel options. The new three-wheeler range will be available in both cargo and passenger variants.

The Ape’ HT Range includes –
- Petrol cargo - Ape’ Xtra HT
- CNG cargo - Ape’ Xtra HT LDX and Ape’ Xtra HT LDX+
- CNG passenger - Ape’ Auto HT DX, Ape’ Auto HT DXL and Ape’ Auto+ HT.

The company says the new 300cc water-cooled engine has been developed by Piaggio indigenously and offers more power and torque from both CNG and petrol variants. The company claims that the Ape’ HT range offers maximum load-ability, higher power, torque and lower NVH levels due to its FI smart engine.

Interestingly, the company has set up a new engine assembly line for the 300cc engine that can produce between 50,000 to 100,000 units per annum. Piaggio claims this is the first engine in its category to offer an integrated water-cooling system, making the engine compact, improved thermal efficiency, performance and life of the engine. The NVH is said to be the lowest in its category.

The new 300cc powertrain is meant a reliable alternative to the conventional diesel proposition. The company believes that the petrol offering will make sense for the customer who wants low NVH and whose operation is less than 100km per day.

Piaggio says it is also planning to introduce a passenger variant, Ape’ Auto HT Petrol in the coming months. The HT range is equipped with a new aluminium clutch which offers a comfortable driving experience and a long life of 30,000km. The cargo range is available with 5-feet, 5.5-feet and 6-feet deck length options.

The company is offering 5 years / 150,000km (whichever is earlier) warranty in the petrol cargo and 36 months / 100,000km (whichever is earlier) in the CNG passenger and cargo variants. Furthermore, there is an AMC package with six free periodic maintenance services. 

Diego Graffi, chairman and MD, Piaggio India said, “At Piaggio, we believe in providing path-breaking solutions in the last-mile transportation segment with best-in-class technology offerings to our customers. The new 300cc engine is developed in India with technology support from Piaggio, Italy. The engine is being manufactured in India in a new state-of-the-art assembly line. This product is a result of a robust new product development process that we follow at Piaggio based on consumer insights at the conceptualisation stage. With the launch of this HT range, we aim to further strengthen our position in the alternate fuel segment space.”

When queried about the export potential, Graffi said, “We see potential for petrol-engine based product export mainly in the cargo space, where we were traditionally present with diesel engine –mainly in the African market.”

Saju Nair, EVP and head of Commercial Vehicle Business, Piaggio India said, “This is the first time that any player has launched a bigger capacity engine in the alternate fuel segment space in the 3-wheeler industry.  We understood from our customers that there is a need of a higher power and performance engine in the alternate fuel space which will help take higher loads doing more number of trips per day. The Higher torque and gradeability enables customers to take on flyovers which was always a concern with earlier alternate fuel engines. The best part about this new engine is its low noise and vibration, which makes it very smooth in while running. We have also taken care of the after sales needs of the customer by offering a complete package of class-leading warranty and annual service package in both the petrol and CNG range of products.”