The New Piaggio Porter NP6 Is Indeed A Foton T3

Binnablog

Feb 27, 2021

It took a little longer than expected, but Piaggio is renewing its Porter. Now a Foton T3 / T5 is used as the basis for the Italian utility.

The Porter is a small van available as a flatbed truck, pick- up, bare chassis, etc. which has been in existence since 1992. The first were born out of a joint venture with Daihatsu.

This association broke down in 2002 and since then Piaggio has found himself alone at the helm, seeking a makeshift companion.

In 2017, we announced that the Chinese Foton (BAIC Group) had been selected for the 4th version of the Porter (in fact technically the 2nd). The latter was due out almost 2 years ago, but it obviously took longer for this new generation of Porter to arrive.

Read also: Chinese manufacturers for dummies

Old Porter versus the new Piaggio Porter NP6

A Foton base for the free electron of utilities

As we suspected then, it is the View V3 / V5 in its utility version T3 / T5 which is adapted and badged Piaggio.

For a few days, the new Porter has been presented on the site of the Italian manufacturer. It' s a small revolution as the technical basis of the Porter has remained the same since 1992. The width suddenly takes 10 cm, but the new Porter NP6 is still a " small" utility.

It is available in a bare frame (aka Chassis), in a fixed plate (Deck) or in a tilting plate (Tipper). For the moment, no trace of a single- cabin van version which nevertheless exists at Foton (Gratour, Ollin or Xiangling).

Two wheelbases in single rear wheel: 2. 65 m and 3. 07 m, as well as two other wheelbases in twin rear wheels: 3. 0 m and 3. 25 m. Enough to take 1, 055 to 1, 610 kg of payload depending on the version.

On the engine side, Piaggio has developed a dual dual fuel unit: petrol + LPG or petrol + methane.

The 1498 cc 4 cylinder Otto cycle with chain drive is Euro 6 compatible and available in " short" and " long" range depending on intended urban or interurban use.

By Binnablog