Piaggio launches EVO to give Avanti a sales boost

Mubadala bought out India’s Tata Industries 45% holding last month to take control of the company which remains part owned by the Ferrari family.
The company has launched maritime surveillance derivative of the Avanti and an unmanned system, Hammerhead, but its executive aviation business has been hit hard by the collapse of the light business ­aircraft sector.
Deliveries of its Avanti II have fallen from a ­record 30 aircraft in 2008 to two aircraft last year, according to industry figures.
But the new version of the Avanti - called the EVO - could change that, the company said at EBACE.
“This marks an historical moment under the new ownership of Mubadala, and vividly displays its commitment to Piaggio and our aircraft,” said chairman Alberto Galassi. “ Mubadala’s commitment has also been shown through investing in new production facilities, notably a new aircraft and engine manufacturing base in Villanova d’Albenga, Savona,” he added, talking of the new Piaggio manufacturing base 80km southwest of Genoa.

The EVO features a host of improvements and upgrades “ designed to boost efficiency, reduce operating costs, provide greater levels of comfort for passengers,” Galassi said.

With a maximum speed of 400kt (740km/h), the EVO is the fastest turboprop in the world and faster than many jets – doing so at fuel economy and emissions levels significantly below that of rival aircraft , the manufacturer said. There has been a number of improvements to the airframe ­including winglets, redesigned nacelles, and a reshaped front wing to help boost efficiency and cut emissions by 3%. Climb performance also increases by 3% compared with its predecessor.

The aircraft is also equipped with new five-blade scimitar propellers, which combine with aerodynamic changes to considerably reduce external noise by 68% – 5 dB(A.) The EVO’s “whisper quiet” cabin reduces internal noise by 1 dB(A). The cabin design has also undergone a revamp with new VIP seats – developed by Italian company Iacobucci – new cabin air conditioning and lighting systems.

Piaggio is also offering an ­increased range option, which boosts the Avanti’s reach
from 2,720km (1,470nm) to 3,180km.

“The EVO blends the very best of Italian style, peerless craftsmanship, and intelligent thinking to create the speed of a light/mid-size jet, and the comfort of a large, whisper quiet full stand-up cabin, with fuel efficiencies 40% greater than most business jets,” Galassi said
 

Piaggio CEO Carlo Logli and chairman Alberto Galassi at the unveiling of EVO