All Tests – Quadro 350S Test: the necessary evolution – Quadro: genesis and evolution

Posted on by admin

Quadro 350S test: the necessary evolution

All Tests - Quadro 350S Test: the necessary evolution - Quadro: genesis and evolution

Launched at the end of 2011, the Quadro 350D 3-wheel scooter has sold more than 1000 units in France, an honorable performance against the hegemony of the Piaggio MP3. Threatened by Peugeot – and soon Yamaha -, Quadro ramps up with the more successful 350S model.

Quadro: genesis and evolution

After having sold to Piaggio the deformable parallelogram front axle technology used on the MP3 models, its creator, Luciano Marabese, embarked on the design of a more efficient hydropneumatic system, called HTS "Hydraulic Tilting System".

Quadro 350S: availability, colors and price

  • Availability: immediate in the

  • Colors: Ocean blue, Ice white, Matt black or Anthracite gray

  • Price: 7,290 euros

Simpler and lighter than the deformable parallelogram front axle of the MP3 ("about 40 kg less"), the Quadro’s HTS system consists of a hydropneumatic fork made up of three hydraulic cylinders (one central and two lateral), connected to each other by hoses and fixed between the steering column and the axle.

When tilting, the oil passes from one side cylinder to the other via a valve system that allows tilting and lateral damping, while during braking, the oil from the two side cylinders is supplied the central cylinder, which then provides 80% of the front damping. The result: a lighter vehicle with the front axle literally riveted to the ground.

The system is also more reliable in use, requiring no additional electronics and easy to maintain. The system is not currently adjustable in progressive … unless you change the viscosity of the oil !

With this new system, Luciano Marabese founded in 2009 his own scooter company, called Quadro car. The first model was finally marketed at the end of 2011 in a 3-wheel version under the name 350D: a cobblestone in the pool of the Piaggio MP3, then the only three-wheel scooter on the market.

The debut of the Quadro 350D, however, was tedious due to production delays (designed in Italy, the Quadro is made in Asia by Taiwanese Aeon Motor Co Ltd, which also supplies the engine). Fortunately, things have improved a lot since then with better regulated production, an increasing network coverage and efficient distributors, notably Royal Moto France (RMF) for France..

However, faced with increased competition – Peugeot has just launched its and Yamaha is working on its – and while waiting for the arrival of the postponed to 2014, it was time to review several points criticized by users of the Quadro 350D, in particular its lack of engine liveliness at low speeds, the lack of agility of its cycle part and engine vibrations a little too present.

Thus, the Quadro 350S,, benefits from many improvements. Its engine is now more powerful by 6 horsepower thanks to the increase in its displacement which goes from 313 to 346 cc, the adoption of a 4-valve cylinder head, a modified camshaft, a new clutch, a new EFI system ( Delphi) and a new throttle body.

The fuel pump is now included in the tank, while the exhaust pipes are reinforced and a new lambda sensor is used. More efficient silent-blocks are also used to reduce vibrations, as well as a better-made HTS system, now manufactured by the Italian company Mupo.

Finally, there are new rear shocks, new ball joints, a new treatment of the front axle rods and a hub with a flange for more precise steering. And that’s not all: by taking possession of our test Quadro 350S, Site notices that plastic is also changing…

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *