The P180 was originally developed by Piaggio together with Gates, then manufacturer of the Learjet. It was known as GP180 then, in a time that the corporate users appeared ready for high speed turboprop aircraft. Indeed the P180 is one of the fastest propeller aircraft around.

In appearance, the Piaggio P180 is unlike any other aircraft. It has a three-surface configuration, with wings straight through the fuselage, canard wings attached to the nose and regular horizontal stabilisers (in the form of a T-tail). The fuselage has about the shape of a wing, with a flat bottom and a round top. The engines are located in the wings, driving pusher props. They give the Avanti its distinctive sound in approach or take-off.

The different versions of the P180 can be recognised by:

• the presence of winglets
• the shape of the props
• the presence of windows

The original version lacks winglets and has straight propellers (see photo above). Compared to the Avanti the Avanti II has improved avionics.

The Italian military use the P180M, as a general VIP/utility aircraft, and the P180RM, for calibration of radio beacons.

The Avanti Evo has curved props and small winglets, even futher increasing its maximum speed, while at the same time reducing the noise.

Using the Avanti II frame Piaggio created its own unmanned aerial vehicle, which it called the Hammerhead. Of course no windows are required so it has no. It has a dome on top of the fuselage and multiple sensors. Another difference it is wingspan: that of the P1HH is somewhat bigger.