The Piaggio MP3 reminds me strangely of the first fish-like creatures that crawled out of the swampy waters millions of years ago, determined to evolve some day into Napoleon Bonaparte or Bill Gates.

You see, the MP3 is a scooter that seems like it wants to be a car. It has already grown an extra wheel. Yes, your prescription glasses are working fine - the bike has two wheels in front.

And it's not as simple as it sounds. The configuration calls for a complex cantilever suspension system consisting of four aluminium arms supporting two steering tubes.

The wheels are able to tilt (up to 40 degrees), allowing the MP3 to lean into corners effortlessly. The beauty here is that you don't really need high speeds to enjoy nice tight bends. Scooters, with their small pudgy wheels, rarely allow you to enjoy nice tight bends without a degree of buns-clenching on your part.

Even on straight roads, you can attain high speeds on the MP3 without the slightest twitch of uncertainty. You don't feel the extra weight of the front wheel assembly unless you are really looking out for it.

The ride is an itsy-bitsy more jiggly at certain speeds. And, of course, pushing the 199kg three-wheeler into and out of a parking lot burns more calories than usual. But the riding enjoyment you get outweighs its heft at rest. And the bike has enormous stopping power too.

There are other signs that the MP3 has lofty aspirations. It has a handbrake. It also has an electro-hydraulic front suspension locking device that keeps it upright without a bike stand. It's also wonderful that it allows Piaggio to use fanciful terms like 'electro-hydraulic front suspension', previously the purview of car companies and rocket scientists.

Its under-seat stowage is car-like too. You open it with a remote key, and it is lit like the boot of a sedan. The stowage area is wide and long but rather shallow. You can slot in a laptop easily, but can barely squeeze in a full-face helmet.

The MP3 has an impressive fairing, with piercing twin headlights (like a car) and equally bright winkers.

On the road, it makes its presence known. I've lost count of the number of people who slowed down or sped up to have a closer look at it. From young children to ah peks, they point, stare, smile and give the thumbs up.

The only eyeballs it hasn't captured are those of young women, whose radars are tuned to only one thing on the road: red sports cars. Pity, since the MP3 would make a chic commute for sporty lasses. Think of it as an open-top roadster, with one wheel less.

And because of its electro-hydraulic thingamajig, they can wear high heels and ride without having to worry about yanking the bike onto its stand when they park. The MP3 will even stand on its own at the lights - you don't have to put a foot down.

So you see, the bike is really car-like. And despite its smallish engine, it is as zippy as the wind.

Those who want more oomph could opt for a 250cc version.

Price: $9,900 without COE
Engine: 124cc 4-valve single-cylinder liquid-cooled four-stroke
Gearbox: Continuously-variable transmission direct drive
Power: 15bhp at 9,250rpm
Torque: 12Nm at 8,500rpm
Top speed: 103kmh
0-100kmh: 25 seconds (with a tail-wind)
Fuel consumption: 4 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Piaggio Asia-Pacific