Piaggio has an unqualified success story on its hands in the form of the MP3 three-wheeled scooter. Well, make that a slightly qualified success, as the recently released hybrid version of the leaning machine hasn't quite sold up to expectations. Actually, Piaggio has sold, um, just about none of them.

In order to get a few more fuel-sipping scooters out on the roadways of the world, Piaggio has just released a new version of its MP3 Hybrid that gets an enlarged 278cc single cylinder powerplant. According to the Italian scooter giant, the MP3 Hybrid 300ie will be able to return 141 miles per gallon (matching the smaller 125cc hybrid) while cutting carbon emissions in half.

What's more, Piaggio claims that the MP3 Hybrid 300ie is actually much more muscular than you might imagine, as the electric motor can provide a 30-percent power boost when max power is needed. Alternatively, the scooter can travel up to 12 miles using electricity only. There is also a reverse gear powered by the electric motor.

At this point, the bike is only available in Europe for an asking price of 7,999 Euros. No special license is required to ride the scooter in Europe, which we imagine will broaden its appeal a great deal. We can only hope that Piaggio will release the MP3 Hybrid 300ie here in the States, as it's already Euro III emissions compliant.

Source: Piaggio launches MP3 Hybrid 300ie scooter — Autoblog GreenMore information at: PIAGGIO MP3