Alternatives that beat the pump
posted at the downtown Chico Chevron station
This is a new entry in the economy vehicle sweepstakes. According to Sandi Winthrow of Winthrow's Motorsports here in Chico, this 1,000cc vehicle can conservatively maintain a 35 mpg mileage rating. Priced at under $17,000, the Can-Am Spyder comes in at about the same price as the Smart Car pictured below. It is listed as a roadster, and as such can be driven with a standard driver's license.
photos by Gary D. Brune copyright (c) 2008
Not yet for sale in this region, the Smart Car is available through the Smart Center of Sacrament. Drivers report a mileage of about 37 mpg. The 71 mpg diesel version is available in Canada and Mexico, but not in the United States yet.
I filed the story below on August 17, 2007, I heard the CEO of PiaggioUSA interviewed last weekend, and he said that at the end of next year they plan to introduce a hybrid version of this three wheel vehicle. He expected the mileage to come in at 140 miles per gallon
New motor scooter; Piaggio MP3
I don't believe what I just saw on YouTube. Piaggio, the company that brought us the Vespa scooter, which I owned a long time ago, has just come out with a three wheel scooter. Called the MP3, it has two steering wheels in the front and it's drive wheel astern.
Piaggio says the MP3 is available in two sizes, 125cc and 250cc (and now 400 and 500cc models). The video sells this concept extremely well in that even in a steep lean, all three wheels stay on the ground. The most unique saddled motor vehicle I've ever seen, this thing claims to be much more stable than its two wheel cousins. Yet it is small enough to be registered as a two-wheel scooter.
Tomorrow, ah well we can dream, right?