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The Piaggio Ape,sometimes referred to as Ape Piaggio, Apecar, Ape Car or just
Ape, is a three-wheeled light commercial vehicle produced since 1948
by Piaggio.
An Ape Van
Controlled with scooter style handlebars (current TM version could be bought
also with steering wheel), the original Ape was designed to seat one, but can
accommodate a passenger (with a tight fit) in its cab. A door is provided on
each side, making it quicker to get out of the vehicle when making deliveries to
different sides of the road. Performance is suited to the job of light delivery,
with good torque for hills but a low top speed, which is irrelevant in the urban
settings for which it was designed. Outside of towns, Apes are customarily
driven as close as possible to the kerb to allow traffic to pass.
Usage
The vehicles come in various configurations such as vans and pickups for load
carrying (popular with postal administration in some countries) and an
autorickshaw for human transportation (Tukxi). More recently Piaggio have
made lifestyle models such as the Ape Cross Country and the Ape Web aimed
at the young. The Ape is also commonly used as a promotion tool. Advertising
hoardings are mounted in the load bay. The Ape's unusual looks can help draw
attention to a brand or business.
The Ape is still not an uncommon sight in Italy where its compact size allows it
to negotiate narrow city streets and park virtually anywhere. In small southern
villages, it is also often seen at the roadside where the load area is used as an
impromptu market stall by farmers.
Most Apes are produced in India by Piaggio India, and a similar vehicle is
manufactured by Bajaj Auto. In India the Ape is most commonly found in the
form of an autorickshaw. A relatively small number of Apes is still made in
Italy. On October 16, 2013, Piaggio announced that the production of Ape
would be completely shut down in Italy and entirely moved to India.
Nowadays two model ranges are offered: the "Ape 50" with a 49.8 cc petrol
engine and the larger "Ape TM" which comes available with a 218 cc petrol
engine or a 422 cc diesel engine. The "Ape 50" can carry 175 to 205 kg (386 to
452 lb) while the "TM" and "Classic" can carry 700 to 805 kg (1,543 to 1,775
lb) (depending on version and engine). Fuel consumption for the current Ape 50
model is about 30 km/l (85 mpg-imp; 71 mpg-US). A limited edition named the
Calessino was made available: this had retro styling and came in an
autorickshaw body. The bodywork was close to the Ape of the 1950s and 1960s
and was designed to evoke memories of the era of dramatic economic growth in
Italy known as Miracolo Economico.
19811993 - Ape 500: 175 cc, new front with two headlights on each side.
19941999 - Ape Web & Ape Cross: 49.8 cc engine, redesigned front and rear
headlights, roll-bar.
since 1982 - Ape TM: 218 cc petrol and 422 cc diesel variants. Available with
handlebar or steering-wheel. Maximum speed for the petrol version is 60 km/h,
63 km/h for the diesel version.
since 1996 - Ape 50: 49.8 cc, redesign of the headlights incorporating side
lights.
since 1996 - Ape Furgone 50: van version of the Ape 50.
since 2000 - Ape Cross Country 50: sport-look restyling of preceding Ape 50.
since 2006 - Ape Classic: built also in India with a Lombardini 422 cc Diesel
engine.
20072009 - Ape Calessino: limited edition models built in Italy by Piaggio
with a Lombardini 422 cc Diesel engine (999 in blue produced between 2007
and 2009 then 600 in white produced from 2009) plus an Electric LV zeroemission model (100 in white produced in 2009)
2013present - Ape Calessino 200: a smaller Calessino model with a 200cc
petrol engine (currently in ongoing unlimited production)
Founded in 1884
Founded in 1884 Founded in 1884, Piaggio & C. s.p.a is today
one of the leading manufacturers of 2-wheeler and small
commercial vehicles in the world. With its registered office in
Pontedera (Pisa), Piaggio is the market leader in Europe and
has expanded its operations to 24 countries, including a major
presence in Asian markets.
The product range includes scooters, mopeds and motorcycles
starting from 50 to 1,200cc under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera,
Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Derbi and Scarabeo brands. The 3 and 4wheeled light transportation vehicles are marketed under the
Ape, Porter and Quargo brands.