Piaggio NT3 Concept: Can it take on the Tata Nano?

The Piaggio NT3 concept could be developed as a low-cost car for developing countries like India

Piaggio is now showing the NT3 Concept at the currently ongoing EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, and the tiny car looks like it could be a possible competitor to the Tata Nano in the years (months?) to come. ‘An extraordinarily innovative vehicle, designed to meet mobility needs in areas with the highest development rates, specifically in India, Vietnam and South East Asia,’ says a press release from Piaggio, describing the NT3’s raison d'être.

The Piaggio NT3 is a four-wheeled vehicle that can seat three adults. With a length of only 2.4 metres, this is a very compact vehicle that will be easy to manoeuvre in heavy traffic and equally easy to park. The NT3 is built around a space frame structure that’s designed for maximum occupant safety in the event of a crash. Powertrain options include 200cc and 300cc engines that will be able to offer up to 30km/l in terms of fuel efficiency. Piaggio may also offer hybrid versions at a later stage.

We quite like the NT3 – this is the kind of vehicle that could be ideal for crowded city streets, with the right mix of low purchase price, high fuel efficiency, adequate space and power for undertaking journeys within cities and a reasonable amount of safety. Will Piaggio actually go ahead and attempt to take on the Nano with the NT3? We don’t know, but we do hope they develop the concept further and ultimately position it as an expensive car for the city.