26 January 2021 - 2021 marks the opening of a new, important chapter in the history of Piaggio Porter. Almost twenty years from its birth, in 1992, the “big worker in a small size” is completely revamped: introducing Piaggio Porter NP6, a generation of new vehicles, conceived and designed to further enhance the typical values of Porter, a vehicle capable of combining compact dimensions with an extraordinary cargo capacity.
With Piaggio Porter NP6, the first “City Truck” is born: a compact, lightweight, high performance, versatile, comfortable, convenient and eco-friendly commercial vehicle. Porter NP6 is built to excel in short range cargo transport and it is the ideal companion for the widest possible range of professional needs in urban settings, always congested and governed by strict anti-emissions restrictions.
New CombiFuel powertrains. Consistent with the path that the Piaggio Group and Piaggio Commercial had already undertaken years ago, aimed at reducing the consumption of energy sources, attention to the environment and the improvement of the quality of life, the new Piaggio Porter NP6 range abandons the petrol-only version and proposes two powertrains, called CombiFuel, totally ecological: an in-line, 1.5 litre, Euro 6 four-cylinder with a combined petrol+LPG or petrol+methane fuel system.
The CombiFuel engines are also available in two different versions, based on the range guaranteed by the LPG or methane system: Short Range, dedicated to primarily urban use, and Long Range, capable of greater range and even a higher cargo capacity.
The engine is a 1498 cc four-cylinder, with crankcase and head in aluminium alloy and in compliance with the Euro 6D Final standards. It has a chain 16-valve timing system with dual overhead cam and double phasing on intake and exhaust. A small displacement engine with reduced operating costs, but capable of significant performance: in fact, maximum power increases by 30%, equal to 78 kW at 6,000 rpm, whereas maximum torque is 136 Nm at 4,500 rpm (+27% compared to the previous MultiTech unit). Depending on the version, the fuel system uses one or more high-pressure tanks located under the load bed, so they do not have any impact on Porter NP6’s cargo carrying capacity. The tanks are securely fixed to the frame and made of high strength, tempered steel. The vehicle is designed to operate in gas mode by default, except the engine-start phase which is in petrol mode and then automatically switched over once operating temperature is reached, but in any case there is a switch on the right side of the steering wheel to manually switch modes. The button also has four LEDs indicating the gas level in the tank, while the indicator lamp that lights up when the vehicle is running on gas.
A record size/cargo capacity ratio. Piaggio Porter NP6 is designed to maximise cargo capacity without foregoing compact size and agility, features that are always in demand in urban settings with congested traffic, at the same time increasing safety and on-board comfort.
Compared to the previous generation, the cab length increases by only 245 mm, measuring in at 1640 mm: these are numbers that are still 500 mm lower than the average of light commercial vehicles; the use of a compact, semi-advanced cab also let us optimise spaces to the advantage of maximising cargo. All of this translates into a record size/cargo capacity ratio: in its most compact version, Piaggio Porter NP6 has a footprint on the ground of just 6.9 m², for an astonishing cargo capacity of 200 kg of every m² occupied.
Compared to the previous Porter, the effective capacity increases by almost 30% with the frame capacity that can reach 1,275 kg in the single-wheel rear axle version and 1,610 kg in the dual-wheel version, with a gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 2,800 kg: Porter NP6 is therefore capable of transporting cargo heavier than its own weight.
Big performance in a truly small truck. Such high performance in terms of effective cargo capacity, which is at the top of its class, is possible thanks to an authentic truck configuration: the frame, made of high resistance box-section steel spars, welded and integral with the cab structure, guarantees sturdiness and low weight. The MacPherson front suspension and the rigid axle rear with double leaf parabolic springs, allow a cargo capacity of 1,000 kg on the front axle and up to 2,020 kg on the rear axle.
Thanks to its rear wheel drive, the cargo weight produces grip on the drive wheels, ensuring outstanding road holding on any road surface conditions. Also contributing to this are the modern driving assistance features, including ESC, ASR, ABS and EBD, which aid the driver during manoeuvres and optimise vehicle performance, thereby increasing active safety.
More safety and on-board comfort. Optimisation of volumes and spaces also let us increase safety and on-board comfort: the Porter NP6 cab is a safe and comfortable environment, with an ergonomic driving position designed to have wide and immediate visibility, thereby making driving and parking easier, thanks to the seats placed at the correct height and the small steering wheel.
Porter NP6 is available in five different equipment package levels: Start, Plus, Top, HD and HD Top which include, in addition to the standard modern equipment, a wide range of devices to improve the quality of life on board and vehicle operation.As soon as you get behind the wheel, you immediately have the feeling that you’ve got everything under control, with an intuitive instrument panel that is quick and easy to read, as well as the controls - including the bed tipper for the Tipping Bed version - within easy reach on the left side of the steering wheel. There is a new centre console in the dashboard which houses the DAB+Bluetooth radio and the climate control commands (both standard in the Plus and Top versions). A practical non-slip rubber housing is located in the upper part for a smartphone, complete with a USB charging port. There is a spacious glove compartment on the passenger’s side, in addition to a practical eyeglass holder on the dome light.
The standard equipment also includes the driver’s side airbag, the automatic emergency eCall system and the electrically adjusted side-view mirrors that can be folded in, complete with demisting feature (not available on the Start version). Available as optional equipment are the passenger’s side airbag and foglights (standard on the Top version).
Flexible range and maximum potential for outfitting: a Porter NP6 for every need. The possibility of combining short (L1) or long (L2) wheelbase versions, with single (SW) or twin wheel (TW) rear axle, and the availability of two ready-to-use version with fixed or tipper deck, make the Porter NP6 range extremely complete.
What’s more, the two different axle ratios - standard and reduced - optimize consumption in the various types of use and facilitate work with heavy loads in steeply sloped conditions, increasing uphill pull-away capacity from a standstill.
Fixed Deck Version. Porter NP6 Fixed Deck is the ideal version for those seeking a flat and regular load bed, completely usable and easily accessible. In fact, the load bed is 800 mm of the ground and the aluminium alloy dropsides and tailboard open on three sides. The load bed is available in two different lengths - standard or extra - and in any case, creates enough effective space to hold 4 europallets.
Tipper Deck Version. Porter NP6 Tipper Deck combines the advantages of the load bed structure with the practicality of the electrohydraulic tipper system, with a maximum angle of 45°. Ideal for transport and unloading loose cargo and heavy material, it is therefore the vehicle that best meets the needs of small and medium enterprises involved, for example, in the construction field. The load bed comes standard with a cab guard and aluminium dropsides and tailboard that open on three sides.
Chassis Version. The high performance, technical features, sturdiness and versatility of the frame guarantee outstanding versatility of the Chassis version, the starting base for transformations of extraordinarily high performance: Porter NP6 is designed to easily adapt to a vast range of equipment packages and, consequently, specific missions, including urban logistics, food delivery, landscaping, maintenance, mobile workshops, construction, mobile billboards and public works.
Also in the spirit of facilitating even outfitting destined for the most extreme tasks, Porter NP6 is installation-ready for power take-offs, which provide up to 16 kW of power: in addition to the engine, the power take-off can also be installed on the transmission, where it is geared down and easier to reach for equipment placed behind the cab.
Porter NP6 is available in five colour schemes: Sapphire Blue, Amber Orange, Garnet Red, Basalt Grey, Plaster White.
For additional information and for the detailed technical specifications of the entire Piaggio Porter NP6 range, go to: commercial.piaggio.com/en_EN
