The ape - that cure little three wheeler that adorns (some would say haunts) Italian streets and is the vehicle of choice for everyone from fruit sellers to farmers and builders is getting a stylish new eco-friendly cousin.
Piaggio, is introducing an electrical model of its stylish Ape Calessino - a modern ape with a Dolce Vita design - that is the height of style for moving in the small historical city centres and getting to the beach this summer. it can take up to three passengers - four if you squeeze in - and the design is true 1950s quality.
Top speed is 50kmph and it costs 22 000 euros - so your average farmer is probably sticking to his noisy petrol-guzzling ape. But for environment conscious (and fashion conscious) holiday-goers this is the only way to be seen moving around. A clear throwback to the 50s when the Ape Calessino took famous Hollywood stars around Capri and Portofino.
There is also a serious side to this. Piaggio is introducing some very interesting technology called Aenerbox that uses Ion Lithium batteries and allows for a much lighter system and more lifetime for the whole ape. A four-hour charge will give you 75km of autonomy at the top speed of 50kmph - so plenty to get you to the beach and back and possibly to the club at night.
However, if saving the environment is not a primary worry you can choose the standard model which comes in at a bargain 10 000 dollars.
Just don't call it a glorified golf buggy.
