Plenty of space – whatever the use

The Piaggio Porter is a small, agile CNG hybrid that many people underestimate. The Italian-made vehicle is how available in a practical van version, too.

In the long-wheelbase variant, the CNG hybrid with its body measuring 2.70 by 1.54 by 1.39 metres and a total load volume of 5.6 cubic metres. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

Italian manufacturer Piaggio is still primarily associated with the Vespa: not many people think of the company as producing practical, small-size vehicles for tradespeople, delivery services and facility managers. That’s too bad: the Piaggio Porter NP6 imported by Docar AG is perfect for all of these. Thanks to a wide range of variants – whether short or long wheelbase, single or twin tyres on the rear axle – and with pick-up, chassis and reverse tipper versions, this compact Italian model is also extremely versatile and perfectly suited to almost any type of use. One thing is particularly interesting in terms of the Swiss market: thanks to a collaboration with all-wheel drive specialist Donkey 2.0, the Piaggio Porter NP6 is also available with 4×4 drive on request.

The Piaggio Porter NP6 Van is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that, thanks to biogas in the tank, can even be almost CO₂-neutral on the road. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

Despite this generous range of variants, Piaggio’s managers were still not satisfied, which is why they are now launching the two-seater as an extremely spacious Porter Van with box structure. Here, too, a 1.5-litre four-stroke engine is responsible for the powertrain. The CNG hybrid delivers 106 hp at 6,000 rpm and 118 Nm at 4,500 rpm – more than enough for day-to-day use and even sufficient for motorway driving. Depending on the intended purpose, the various CNG tank variants provide a number of options: where short distances are primarily involved and there is the possibility of filling up at the company premises in the evening, the short-range version with a 40-litre CNG tank will often be sufficient. If more frequent travel and longer distances are involved, we recommend one of the long-range variants with a 60 or 70-litre gas tank.

Display for the gas level and switch button between the two drive sources at the same time. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

In the plucky CNG hybrid, you’re always spoilt for choice as to whether you want to drive on CNG/biogas or petrol. To the left of the steering wheel you have not only the gas level indicator, but also the knob for switching between the two power sources that the nicely rumbling in-line four-cylinder engine is able to handle. In this way, you could even save a little biogas so as remain as carbon-neutral as possible inside an environmental zone – even if that means running on petrol from the 45-litre tank beforehand. The everyday practicality test showed consumption to be gratifyingly low: despite stretches of motorway driving, traffic jams and even some hilly sections, the Porter NP6 Van made do with an average of 5.1 kg of biogas and 1.06 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres. Incidentally, the Piaggio gives off a penetrating beep – a little too shrill and a little too early for our taste – to indicate that the gas level is low, requiring a stop at one of the more than 150 CNG petrol pumps in Switzerland. Refuelling is on two sides: on the driver’s side of the test car, the gas nozzle was attached behind a simple twist lock, while the petrol tank is on the passenger’s side and can be locked and unlocked using the key.

The Piaggio is a practical all-rounder that is particularly suitable for tradesmen, delivery services or even facility managers. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

Given the slightly choppy, manual five-speed transmission, don’t expect miracles from the Piaggio when it comes to drive comfort – but then again it’s supposed to be a practical all-rounder, not a luxury sedan. With its special foils featuring the striped squirrel, and the information that the new van version is able to transport 553,846 peanuts, the new model has certainly put a smile on the faces of many families – and the testers were amused, too. Measuring 2.70 by 1.54 by 1.39 metres and with a total load volume of 5.6 cubic metres, the van body offers plenty of space for a wide range of transport requirements, also allowing extremely easy access to the load thanks to its large sliding doors. In addition, plexiglass elements in the roof and an LED light inside ensure sufficient light inside, so loads can be secured after dark, too. One practical feature: a robust interior trim is even available for an extra CHF 990.

Even large objects – such as works of art in this case – can be transported in the Porter NP6 van, and the sliding doors allow easy access. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

Anyone who can manage with a slightly smaller load volume can order the van with a short wheelbase (2.65 metres): the body then measures 2.13 by 1.54 by 1.39 metres, offering a maximum transport capacity of 4.5 cubic metres. But the Piaggio we tested with the long wheelbase (3.07 meters) offers a wide range of options thanks to its 855 kilograms payload, still remaining agile and manoeuvrable despite its larger external dimensions. Only when reversing do you have to take a little more care due to the rather large overhang at the rear. Since the Porter has no parking sensors, more judgement and caution is required here – it would be a shame if the body were to get scratched!

The mobile phone holder with USB charging socket on the dashboard is practical. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

The Porter is certainly well appointed in terms of safety, being equipped with airbags, electronic stability control (ESP), ABS, hydraulic brake assist, trailer lane stabilization and an automatic emergency call system (“eCall”). In addition to these clever helpers, the testers were also impressed with other practical details such as the mobile phone holder with USB charging socket on the dashboard – this turns your smartphone into a navigation system in no time at all.

In the everyday test, the Porter NP6 Van proved to be quite frugal, averaging 5.1 kg of biogas and 1.06 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

Incidentally, the Porter Van with the short wheelbase is available from a fair price of CHF 34,800 excl. VAT, while the version with the long wheelbase is available from CHF 37,000 excl. VAT. (pd/jas, 02 March 2023)