Ape (pickup truck)
Ape ( ital. Bee , also known as Vespacar called) is a pickup truck and a three-wheeled microcar the Italian manufacturer Piaggio .
The Ape has been made in Italy since 1947. In 1999, the production of now 200,000 vehicles per year began in the Indian plant of Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited in Baramati in the state of Maharashtra , which are also exported to Africa, South America and other Asian countries.
history
The three-wheeler transporter series came onto the market one year after the Vespa (Italian wasp ). The original type of the Ape from 1947 is actually a Vespa with a loading area with a payload of 200 kilograms. The Ape A has a Vespa engine with 125 cm³ displacement under the seat. In contrast to some Vespa types, however, it has a 4-speed gearshift.
The Ape B with 150 cm³ was launched in 1953. This model was built until 1956 with minor modifications.
In 1956 the Ape C was launched, the first Ape model with a cabin. The Pentaro from 1960 is a five-wheel version of the Ape C in the form of a semi-trailer with a higher load capacity.
The Ape MP, which was presented in 1967, still has elements of the Ape C, namely the cabin. Otherwise it has been fundamentally revised. Its displacement is 190 cm³, it can transport 500 kg. The Ape MP was produced in several versions, in 1969 the load capacity was increased by 100 kg.
In 1969 the Ape 50 was presented. She was the first Ape, which are classified as mopeds falls. It was built for easy transport, can only transport 200 kilograms and is equipped with a cabin.
In 1972 the Ape Car was presented. It has a reasonably comfortable cab, a 216 cc engine and a load capacity of 550 kg.
In 1982 Piaggio developed a completely new vehicle with a 220 cc engine and a load capacity of 700 kilograms, the Ape TM. In 1984 an Ape with a single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine, the Ape Car Diesel, came onto the market. This also has a payload of 700 kilograms and is still offered in slightly modified form to this day.
In 1986 the largest Ape to date was presented: the Ape Car Max. It is 1.5 × 2.3 meters in size and carries 900 kilograms.
In 1990 Piaggio built the first Ape with four wheels, the Ape Porter with 420 cm³ and 835 kg payload.
In 1994 Piaggio launched the Ape 50 Cross Country. The 45 km / h machine is equipped with a roll bar, bumper bar and radio console.
From 1995 Piaggio started building the Ape 50 TL5T, which is very noticeable with its 2 front headlights. The older Ape 50 models only had one headlight.
In 1999, the Ape 50 TL5T was replaced by the Ape 50 ZAPC, which, apart from minor changes, is identical and is still in production today.
In 2006 Piaggio presented the special model APE "Classic" at the Intermot . The tricycle was only delivered in the color celeste (mint green) throughout Europe and was equipped with a handlebar and a flatbed. The drive was a water-cooled Lombardini diesel engine with a displacement of 422 cm³. The model was produced in India.
In the spring of 2008, a new design concept for the Piaggio Ape based on the powerful TM was presented and was henceforth in circulation as Piaggio Apelino, as the Ape was affectionately known as “Apelino” in its early years. The concept was a reaction of the manufacturer to the cult status of the Ape. Environmentally friendly and economical electric and hybrid versions, but also the drive based on TM with a maximum speed of 55 km / h and a payload of 600 kg have been further developed. Cooperation with companies that develop the pure air pressure drive is also sought. What was also new here was that the loading platform could be converted by the customer in a modular fashion as a city taxi, promotion or catering vehicle or, as usual, as a transport vehicle.
In 2014 the APE Classic 400 was presented as a modernized version of the APE Classic.
Ape flatbed truck
An ape as a beverage transporter
Different versions
Ape 50
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The Ape 50 is the smallest Ape. It is equipped with a rotary valve controlled 50 cm³ single-cylinder two-stroke engine (38.4 mm bore and 43.0 mm stroke), which accelerates the vehicle with its 2.2 kW (3 HP) to almost 40 km / h. The newer models have a separate oil tank and an oil pump, so that the two-stroke oil no longer has to be added to the fuel when refueling. The Ape 50 has an unsynchronized four-speed manual transmission. It is coupled with a lever on the left of the handlebars, and switched by turning the left handle. Reverse gear can be engaged with a lever in the footwell. It is implemented by an additional countershaft transmission so that all four gears of the transmission can also be used in reverse. The Ape 50 can transport around 200 kg payload. The drum brakes on the rear wheels are hydraulically operated with a pedal on the right in the footwell without a brake booster. The drum brake on the front wheel is operated with a lever on the right side of the handlebar via a cable.
The Ape 50 is available in six versions:
- with a simple platform structure and steel side walls, the loading area measures around 1.2 m × 1.2 m on this model.
- with closed, removable box structure made of sheet steel (dimensions approx. width 120 cm × height 90 cm × depth 120 cm).
- with a long platform and steel side walls, which is about 20 cm longer than the short platform.
- with long platform and aluminum side walls.
- Ape Cross: With roll bar, front bar, radio preparation and 120 watt alternator (instead of 80 watts as with all other models).
- All models have been equipped with the 120 watt alternator since 2012.
- On request, the Ape 50 can also be supplied without the welded side walls as a platform for the individual body structure.
Ape Classic 400
The original APE Classic was presented in 2006 and was only available in mint green and equipped with a 422 cm³ single-cylinder Lombardini diesel engine. A model upgrade was carried out in September 2014 and the APE Classic was replaced by the APE Classic 400.
The maintenance measures included changing to a new air-cooled diesel engine with 435 cm³ and 5.5 kW at 3,450 rpm instead of 422 cm³ and 7.8 kW at 4,500 rpm in the previous model. The payload has dropped from 800 kg to 650 kg. The top speed was reduced by 10 km / h to 45 km / h. The tank volume has been reduced from 15 l to 10.5 l. In the interior, the instrument panel has been modernized.
On the outside, the APE Classic 400 has approximated the APE Calessino. The driver's cab is now even more reminiscent of the APE PV / MPV series. The APE Classic 400 is available in the colors Artic White and Charming Blue.
The APE Classic 400, manufactured in India, is delivered exclusively with steering rod control and a 1.74 m long and 1.49 m wide platform with steel side walls. The Classic 400 is equipped with a hydraulic dual-circuit brake, drum brakes are installed on all three wheels. The Ape Classic 400 has a seat belt and a seat.
Ape TM 703
The Ape TM has been built since 1982. It is available in three construction variants:
- Platform 1.45 m wide and 2 m long, with aluminum side walls for an additional charge.
- Box body made of sheet steel, which is just under 1.8 m shorter than the flatbed and in contrast to which the Ape 50 cannot be removed.
- Hydraulic tipper with a 1.4 m × 1.8 m loading area
The Ape TM is available with a handlebar and is the only current Ape model with a steering wheel. Both versions have two seats. Like a car, the steering wheel version has a steering wheel, three pedals (from left to right: clutch, brake, accelerator) and a gear stick (H shift). The differences to the car are the unsynchronized transmission and the extra lever for the reverse gear, which is pulled in the neutral position of the gear stick. As with the Ape 50, all four gears can be used when the reverse gear lever is pulled.
There are two motors to choose from:
- The water-cooled (until approx. 1996 air and oil-cooled), 422 cm³ single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine with five-speed gearbox (with steering rod only four gears) has an output of 9 kW (13 HP).
- The air-cooled, 218 cm³ rotary valve controlled single-cylinder two-stroke engine has an output of 8 kW (11 hp). The unsynchronized transmission has four gears.
The Ape TM has a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with a drum brake on each wheel. In order to prevent the brake drums from overheating, additional cooling fins have been located on the outside of the brake drums for several years.
With both engines, the Ape TM reaches a top speed of around 65 km / h and can negotiate gradients of up to 22% (petrol version) or 23% (diesel version) when fully loaded. The payload is almost 975 kg with the petrol engine and flatbed body with the other bodies or a little less with a diesel engine.
The stated fuel consumption of 4.5 l / 100 km diesel or 5.5 l / 100 km petrol is realistic with a forward-looking and cautious driving style. The plastic tank holds 15 liters of fuel.
Ape Calessino
In 2007, a reproduction of the “Calessino” from the 1960s was launched with an initial number of 999 vehicles, 200 of which were delivered to Germany. It was made by the Indian company Bajaj Auto Ltd. produces and has a 422 cm³ large indirect injection Lombardini single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine with an output of 6.2 kW at 3800 rpm and a top speed of 56 km / h. With a dead weight of 530 kg and a maximum weight of 860 kg, it has a lower center of gravity than the Ape 50, has a turning circle of three meters and can negotiate gradients of up to 22%. The vehicle has a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system that acts on the drum brakes at the front and rear. The folding roof , like the door panels, is made of impregnated canvas and is connected to one another with zips and Velcro fasteners. The rear seats, covered with synthetic leather, can be folded down, which means that the loading area behind the rear seat can be considerably enlarged.
- Ape Calessino Electric Lithium
From mid-2009 the "Calessino" was offered with an electric motor. According to the manufacturer, it has a range of approx. 75 km. The batteries should be charged within about four hours via a 230-volt connection and a service life of up to 60,000 km should be achieved with up to 800 charges. The basic version has a white body, a blue canvas hood and corresponding lettering on the front entrance doors. It is said to have been a limited introductory version of 100 pieces. This version does not appear in the Ape 2019 offer list.
- Ape Calessino 200
In 2013 the Ape Calessino will be relaunched with a new 200 cm³ single cylinder engine. Compared to the previous model, the new series is more compact and cheaper. The Ape Calessino 200 HL has been available since 2014 and has a higher quality equipment.
In 2017 the Ape Calessino received a revised engine, improved electrics and a new front design.
Others
In Italy young people are allowed to drive this 50 cm³ vehicle at the age of 14. There is a lot of interest in hairdressing the Ape 50 cm³. Often the entire engine block is machined and a high-performance engine with 102 cm³ or 133 cm³ is used. The Italian tuning companies Polini and Malossi offer corresponding conversion kits. In some mountain regions of Italy, the possession of an Ape with spoilers, sports exhaust and the like is considered to be image-worthy among young people. Due to the short body overhangs and the acceptable ground clearance, steep and washed-out gravel roads in the Apennines can be mastered with the light (unloaded) Ape , which many cars cannot drive on.
Three-wheeled company car of the German police
In June 2009 the police in the Mettmann district put a 7 kW Ape TM - as a panel van (with rear body) - and a top speed of 60 km / h into service. The paintwork and the external appearance corresponded to the current standard of the NRW police. The vehicle could be used as a universal emergency vehicle in narrow streets and traffic-free areas. However, it was mainly used for PR purposes. The vehicle was badly damaged in an accident and has since been sold.
Wheel from magazine
Since September 2009 there is a German-language magazine for drivers and fans of the Piaggio Ape. The Rad ab Magazin , which appears four times a year in DIN A5 format, publishes articles about the Italian Ape. In addition to technical information and tips, the main areas also include travel reports, dates, presentations and other interesting things from the scene. The wheel from the magazine currently has a circulation of 1000 copies. The readers come from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The magazine obtains the articles from readers, dealers and in some cases through its own research. The around 36-page magazine is published by EVOY Media UG (limited liability) in Griesstätt .
literature
- Carlos Pinto: La Despedida - diary of a separation in three phases and two bars , 2010, diary of a trip in an APE TM from Hamburg to northern Portugal and back
Web links
- Piaggio Group on piaggioveicolicommerciali.com
- Ape on piaggio-ape.at
- Wheel from magazine
- Driving report APE TM , on motor-talk.de
- Driving report APE 50 , on autobild.de
- The tin bee , mini truck Piaggio Ape on spiegel.de
- Busy bee , Piaggio Ape P 501 driving report on auto-motor-und-sport.de
- 48 bends with 10 HP , with the Piaggio Ape through the Alps on auto-motor-und-sport.de
- The bee queen , Piaggio Ape Calessino on autobild.de
Individual evidence
- ↑ The Story of the Ape , In: PiaggioCommercialVehicles.com
- ↑ Scheda Tecnica Ape Classic 400. (PDF) (No longer available online.) In: piaggioveicolicommerciali.com . Piaggio (commercial vehicles), November 11, 2014, archived from the original on March 5, 2016 ; Retrieved February 1, 2017 (Italian).
- ↑ Autobild.de Piaggio Ape with electric drive - 08/11/2009
- ↑ Andreas Rogotzki: Bees on Ganovenjagd. Piaggio Ape of the Mettmann police. (No longer available online.) In: Autobild.de . Auto Bild , June 18, 2009, archived from the original on April 1, 2016 ; accessed on February 1, 2017 .