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Photo of a Piaggio Ape

Piaggio Ape

Born from a Vespa; by 1986, the Ape Max could haul 900 kg.1

Researched October 25, 2026 from 32 sources

Also called

  • ApinoPiaggio's name for the 50 cc Ape 50 introduced in 1969.1
  • ApelinoAn affectionate early nickname, reused for the Ape TM-based Apelino in 2008.2

At a glance

0100200
2.41–12.81 hpPower
0100200
40–66 km/hTop speed
0150300
16.67–45 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.2581012

Engine
50: 49.8 cc; Calessino 200: 197 cc; TM: 218/422 cc gas/diesel; E-City electric469
Layout
Rear engine, rear-wheel drive (MP and Calessino 200)110
Gearbox
4-speed + reverse (Classic 400, Calessino 200); 5-speed (Car Diesel)1911
Built at
Pontedera, Italy (to 2024); Baramati, India (since 1999)127
Units built
Approximately 6 million sold worldwide (2018 report)1

The story

Pronounced 'ah-peh,' Ape means bee to Vespa's wasp. Launched in 1948 for postwar shop deliveries, it turned the Vespa scooter into a three-wheeled workhorse.134

1948: The 125 cc Ape goes on sale19481966: MP moves the engine to the rear19661969: Ape 50: 190 kg at 40 km/h19691982: Giugiaro redraws the Ape TM19821984: 422 cc: the diesel breakthrough19841999: Baramati starts Ape production19992019: E-City brings battery swapping20192024: Pontedera builds its last Apes20242025: E-City Ultra: 236 km certified2025 Vespa: From 1946VespaApe A (A): 1948–1952AApe B (B): 1952–1956BApe C (C): 1956–1967CApe MP (MP): From 1966MPApe Car: From 1971Ape CarApe TM (TM): From 1982TMApe Calessino 200: From 2013Ape E-City: From 2019 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones14689
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
From 1946Vespa
1948–1952Ape A (A)
1952–1956Ape B (B)
1956–1967Ape C (C)
From 1966Ape MP (MP)
From 1971Ape Car
From 1982Ape TM (TM)
From 2013Ape Calessino 200
From 2019Ape E-City
1948The 125 cc Ape goes on sale
1966MP moves the engine to the rear
1969Ape 50: 190 kg at 40 km/h
1982Giugiaro redraws the Ape TM
1984422 cc: the diesel breakthrough
1999Baramati starts Ape production
2019E-City brings battery swapping
2024Pontedera builds its last Apes
2025E-City Ultra: 236 km certified
  1. 1948

    The 125 cc Ape goes on sale

    Built for postwar shop deliveries, the Vespa-derived three-wheeler launches with a 200 kg payload.1

  2. 1966

    MP moves the engine to the rear

    The Ape MP gains a 190 cc two-stroke on a rear sled; axle shafts replace chain drive, with rubber springs and hydraulic dampers at the rear.1

  3. 1969

    Ape 50: 190 kg at 40 km/h

    At launch: 190 kg, 40 km/h and 33 km/L. Later 50s carry 175–205 kg versus 700–805 kg for TM/Classic; the TM diesel reaches 63 km/h.45

  4. 1982

    Giugiaro redraws the Ape TM

    A new cab, car-style dashboard, independent-arm suspension, light-alloy brake drums and 12-inch wheels give the TM a fresh driving environment.1

  5. 1984

    422 cc: the diesel breakthrough

    The Ape Car Diesel pairs a 422 cc engine with a 5-speed gearbox, using what was then the world's smallest direct-injection diesel.1

  6. 1999

    Baramati starts Ape production

    Indian production starts at Piaggio's Baramati plant with 501 cc and 601 cc diesels for the Asian market.2

  7. 2019

    E-City brings battery swapping

    Revealed in New Delhi on December 18, the Indian-market electric Ape E-City lets drivers swap a depleted battery in minutes at automated stations.6

  8. 2024

    Pontedera builds its last Apes

    Pontedera production ends at year's close while India continues; Austrian buyers are subsequently offered new Apes from remaining dealer stock.7

  9. 2025

    E-City Ultra: 236 km certified

    The passenger Ultra pairs a 10.2 kWh LFP battery with 45 Nm and 12.81 hp peak; certified range reaches 236 km, with smart 4G telematics onboard.8

Every generation

  • Ape A
    A1948–1952
  • Ape C
    C1956–1967
  • Ape Car
    Ape CarFrom 1971
  • Ape TM
    TMFrom 1982

Power over the years

From 11 hp to 13 hp in 17 years.

051015 2010201520202025 hp 2008 · 11 hp · Apelino 218 cc2013 · 10 hp · Calessino 200 (197 cc)2025 · 10 hp · E-City FX Maxx2025 · 13 hp · E-City Ultra 13 hp E-City Ultra 11 hp Apelino 218 cc
289
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200811Apelino 218 cc
201310Calessino 200 (197 cc)
202510E-City FX Maxx
202513E-City Ultra

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Ape 50 / P50 / TM P50 / Europa

    Standard

    Ape 50 / P50 / TM P50 / Europa

  • Ape 220 TM P602 / P703

    Standard

    Ape 220 TM P602 / P703

  • Ape D / E / 400R / P 501 / P 601

    Standard

    Ape D / E / 400R / P 501 / P 601

  • Standard

    Ape MP / MPV

  • Standard

    Ape Car P2 / P3 / Diesel / Max

  • Ape City / Xtra / E-City / Ultra / FX Maxx

    Standard

    Ape City / Xtra / E-City / Ultra / FX Maxx

  • Special

    Ape Cross / Cross Country / Web

  • Standard

    Ape A / B / C / AC

    1948–1967

  • Ape Pentarò

    Special

    Ape Pentarò

    1960–1968

  • Ape Calessino / 200 / Electric Lithium

    Special

    Ape Calessino / 200 / Electric Lithium

  • Limited

    Ape Calessino 70°

    2018

    70 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Usually three wheels; the Ape Poker is the four-wheeled branch.4
  • Early Ape A models combine a Vespa-like front with a wooden pickup bed.14
  • Period German-market cabs can have paired headlights.17
  • Modern Classic models have rounded cabs styled after the old 601.16
  • Calessino 200: fabric doors and roof, plus three separate round rear lamps.9

Year by year

  1. 1956

    Ape C introduces metal bodywork with a full cab or half-cab.17

  2. 1958

    Ape D moves the headlamp from the front mudguard onto the cab face.1

  3. 1968

    MPV versions have two headlights in the front panel.2

  4. 1991

    Ape 50 gains protective padding on the doors and lower body.2

  5. 1996

    Ape 50 Europa gets a redesigned nose with two integrated headlights.2

  6. 2019

    Ape 50 Euro 4 adds LED lighting, new wheel covers and mirrors, plus a relocated instrument panel with a fuel gauge.14

Prices

Value today $8.6K–$18.5K26272829

Auction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 2016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $8,600–$18,500 2017 · $45,600 · 1953 Calessino, New York - ICONS2023 · $10,781 · 1967 Ape 400, St. Moritz2024 · $8,600 · 2007 Ape 50 pickup, 1,800 km shown, BaT2024 · $8,750 · 1998 TM van, 1,900 km shown, BaT2025 · $18,500 · 1970 500 MP mobile-bar project, 25k km shown, BaT2026 · $11,798 · 1968 Ape 600 MP, 41,524 km (TMU), Trading Garage $45.6K New York - ICONS, 2017
262728293132
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2017Auction sale$45,6001953 Calessino, New York - ICONS
2023Auction sale$10,7811967 Ape 400, St. Moritz
2024Auction sale$8,6002007 Ape 50 pickup, 1,800 km shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$8,7501998 TM van, 1,900 km shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$18,5001970 500 MP mobile-bar project, 25k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$11,7981968 Ape 600 MP, 41,524 km (TMU), Trading Garage
2026Value today$8,600–$18,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “The smallest direct-injection diesel”
    • “Valentino Rossi's three-wheeled classroom”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 3 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. Ape (1948-2019): an Italian story press.piaggiogroup.com
  2. Oldtimer - Tradition: 70 Jahre Piaggio Ape Dreirad-Transporter - Vespas fleißige Schwester - MotorZeitung.de motorzeitung.de
  3. Curbside Classic: 2002 Piaggio Ape 50 - It's Pronounced Ah-Peh - Curbside Classic curbsideclassic.com
  4. Piaggio Ape - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Storia dell’Ape – Ape Club d'Italia apeclubditalia.it
  6. Piaggio Group, the iconic Ape turns electric: presentation today in New Delhi of the Ape E-city with battery-swap technology for the indian market | Piaggio Group piaggiogroup.com
  7. Piaggio Ape in Österreich kaufen: neu, gebraucht, Kosten trike-magazin.de
  8. Wide Magazine wide.piaggiogroup.com
  9. Nuovo Ape Calessino 200 - Il mito del tre ruote piu’ glamour del mondo si rinnova nella sua versione piu’ giovane | Piaggio Group piaggiogroup.com
  10. Ape Calessino 200, ¡vaya motocarro! Lo probamos autopista.es
  11. Ape Classic 400 pick-up truck - Piaggio Ape by Tukxi tukxi.com
  12. Prueba Piaggio APÉ City un motocarro potente y versátil publimotos.com
  13. Ape sarjanumerot kautta aikojen – Italialaiset.fi italialaiset.fi
  14. Ape 50 euro 4 press.piaggiogroup.com
  15. Guida acquisto Ape epoca - Restauro Ape Piaggio Acquistare un'Ape d'Epoca restauroape.it
  16. Piaggio Ape press.piaggiogroup.com
  17. 1963 Piaggio Ape | The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  18. Museo Piaggio | Piaggio Museum museopiaggio.it
  19. Museo Piaggio | Piaggio Museum museopiaggio.it
  20. Ape Calessino 2009. Nasce anche una nuova rivoluzionaria versione “Electic Lithium” a trazione elettrica. | Piaggio Group piaggiogroup.com
  21. APE CALESSINO 70° press.piaggiogroup.com
  22. Testfahrt mit der Piaggio Ape: Kleiner Stadtlieferwagen | eurotransport eurotransport.de
  23. Racing Piaggio Ape Three-Wheelers | Motorcyclist motorcyclistonline.com
  24. Wide Magazine wide.piaggiogroup.com
  25. Sting Like a Bee - CPH:DOX:CPH:DOX cphdox.dk
  26. No Reserve: 2007 Piaggio Ape 50 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,600 on May 8, 2024 (Lot #146,069) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. No Reserve: 1998 Piaggio Ape TM for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,750 on May 29, 2024 (Lot #148,701) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 1970 Piaggio Ape 500 MP Mobile Bar Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,500 on October 2, 2025 (Lot #213,028) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 1953 Piaggio Ape Calessino | New York - ICONS 2017 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  30. 2001 PIAGGIO APE VAN ONE OWNER | Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd June | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  31. 1968 Piaggio Ape 600 | Trading Garage tradinggarage.com
  32. 1967 Piaggio Ape 400 | St. Moritz 2023 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  • press.piaggiogroup.com
  • motorzeitung.de
  • curbsideclassic.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • apeclubditalia.it
  • piaggiogroup.com
  • trike-magazin.de
  • wide.piaggiogroup.com
  • autopista.es
  • tukxi.com
  • publimotos.com
  • italialaiset.fi
  • restauroape.it
  • rmsothebys.com

Photo credits

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