Fiat 500L

The 500L name is highly coveted by classic car enthusiasts and this L in the 500L name stands for Lusso, which is Italian for luxury. Right, the L stands for luxury and it was produced from 1969 to 1972. Now, when Fiat launched the all new 500L to the public, it was like what the heck? L stands for Lusso but to justify this confusion...

2013 Fiat 500L

...The L in the all new Fiat 500L stands for large. Yep, this is the larger, fatter, brother of the Fiat 500 with two extra doors making it a five-door compact MPV that once said it could be the answer to my most hatred Mini Countryman. Yep, I do really hate the Mini Countryman because this car brought me nothing but Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, or Stratos Butterfly.

What?! Those were from the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2. The costumes that the XBOX 360 version didn't have! I used those as a metaphor for my most hatred vehicle! Now, if you excuse me, would you let Commodore Clarksonio continue, okay? Ahem, to continue...

The thing about the new 500L is unlike the Countryman, the 500L looks a bit more well detailed, well dressed, and well made but sadly though, this is more like an altered version of the car which is claimed to be James May's perennial favorite....the new Fiat Panda! No wait, this isn't more of an altered Panda but this kind of look harks back to the Fiat 500K Giardiniera, built from 1960-77. All that retro-futuristic look really put some spice on it but what about on the inside?

2013 Fiat 500L interior

The inside is more like the Fiat Panda rather than the 500 but if you think this little fella is bigger on the inside, better do the math folks because with a capacity of almost 400 litres, you can fill up to five roller suitcases! Also, the 500L comes with the Cargo Magic Space system that you can adjust the load by three levels separating precious objects from the biggies. This is a wonderful thinking that Fiat's good at because with all that 415 cm long, 178 cm wide, 166 cm high and 261 wheelbase of dimensions, I was very impressed about this but I'm afraid this would get bullied by my Mini Countryman foe but no matter. You know that the Fiat 500L can seat up to five people while the Countryman seats four because of something that separates them. A clear win for the 500L though but this is only the beginning. Yep, Fiat's working on an long-wheelbase version of the 500L and it will have two more seats at the back!

2013 Fiat 500L

Anyway, while we're diddling right about that for a while, let's take a look at the performance. Because the L in the 500L name not only means large or lofty, it's Light, when 'lightness' means user-friendly technology and eco-friendliness. It comes with a "light" engine range of two petrol - 105 HP 0.9 Turbo TwinAir and 95 HP 1.4 l 16V Fire engines and one turbodiesel engine, the 85 HP 1.3 MultiJet 2, mated with the combination with the 5- or 6-speed manual gearboxes.

The all new 0.9 Turbo TwinAir engine generates 105 HP of power, 0-100kph in 12.3 seconds, and top speed of 180kph, which of course the top speed you can only achieve on most Japanese cars. Right, most but not many Japanese cars' speedos always read up to 180kph. Take note of that and anyway, this has the class-top fuel consumptionand emissions in the homologation combined cycle at the same time (4.8 litres/100 km and 112 g/km of CO2).

The 1.4 16V Fire engine though, it's just 6.2 litres/100 km with CO2 emissions staying within 145 g/km while the 1.3 16V MultiJet 2 engine consumes just 4.2 litres/100 km with 110 g/km of CO2 emissions in the homologation combined cycle. There you are folks, the 500L's light fuel consumption really adapts the concept of being a fuel-efficient compact MPV for the masses.

Here's some bits that you'll never noticed because the all new 500L comes with the all new "City Brake Control" which is capable of recognising obstacles in front of the car and of braking automatically when the driver fails to do so to avoid crashing into them. Remind you of any? Oh yeah! It was the same technology I'd expect from Volvo's City Safety or Subaru Eyesight Driver Assist System! How cool was that but better take precautions about this Assisted Brake feature because sometimes it doesn't work and you have to brake by yourself in an alert and vigilant way.

Aside from those, the Fiat 500L do come with Electronic Stability Control, Anti Slip Regulation, Hill Holder, Motor Schleppmoment Reelung, Driving Steering Torque, and Electronic Rollover Mitigation. Sadly however, there was one person who raised a hand and said "What is Motor Schleppmoment Reelung?" Simple; when there is a brisk gear change in poor grip conditions, the MSR function intervenes, restoring engine torque and preventing the wheels from locking and slipping. Simple as that.

Price? It's 15,550 Euros, that is the suggested retail price for the 500L. For a good side though, this car is all about personalization thanks to 11 exterior body colours, 3 different shades for the roof (black, white or selected body colour), 4 trim levels (Pop, Pop Star, Easy and Lounge), 3 rim colours (black, white, grey), 3 engine versions and 7 different interior configurations in addition to 140 accessories specially created for the model are available. Despite it's quintessentially Italian, the fact is though it's made in Kragujevac, Serbia, which I believe it's in Russia. Spoilers!

My comment:

Those senior people who have a classic Fiat 500-dedicated car clubs may seem to be disappointed when Fiat proposes to resurrect the “L” designation for a 2013 model being introduced in Geneva since March. That's a shame though that the L for this new 500L doesn't mean lusso or luxury because what Fiat said, the L stands for Large, Light, and Lofty.

Sadly though, the new 500L is a bit too lame, it's a bit too girly, it's a bit too good for a kissogram to get in, and it's as soft as an...Adipose. Gosh, I don't wanna be fat but hey, this fat version of the 500 compact with extra doors and extended length is a bit too perfect for those who want to go out for some shopping spree in Milan and you know what, that doesn't seem to be good enough to take down the Mini Countryman, which is essentially the Mini I always hate because it brought me nothing but Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, or Stratos Butterfly. Metaphors!

You know what? If I accidentally bought the 500L, I'm afraid I have to leave it to the firing range and continue my trip on foot while letting it rot but not a chance pal. Not a chance. Besides, it's still to young to get some preparen, abunten, fuego on the spot. I have to give it to some kissogram who likes it. Kissogram...What is a kissogram anyway?

Photo: Fiat

Welcome Back: 2010 Abarth 500 esseesse

It's the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari! Or is it?

Does this look like the Fiat 500C Abarth to you?

So, the Fiat 500 Abarth. An Italian pocket rocket that combines the word "cute" and "cool" in terms of design and performance. Here in USA, it has some bonkers advertisement due to the Seduction commercial as seen on US televisions or also the House Arrest ad starring Charlie Sheen. It lapped the Top Gear Test Track in 1:35.5, knocking down the likes of the Lotus Elise and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Later on, Richard Hammond brought this in (in 500C Abarth Esseesse guise) for the Top Gear hot hatch challenge where the presenters and their chose hot hatch were put in to the test from the maze-like streets of Lucca to the racetrack in Monte Carlo. Well, you got that idea but I'm very glad that this seductive Italian hot hatchback returned on Forza 4. I would never forget the first time I met one.

Players who have one may sometimes try to make mock-ups of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari or even the Fiat 500C Abarth, the one Richard Hammond drove it on the Top Gear hot hatch challenge. Despite mock-ups, they do look real and I love it.

Still, this is more fun to drive than the Renaultsport Twingo Cup!

In Forza 4, no one can hear you scream...

Yes, no one can hear you scream while playing Forza Motorsport 4 online with your mic on, especially for this car. The car you might remember it while you were an 11-year-old boy. The car that is designed by Chris Bangle and Pininfarina. This is the Fiat Coupe.

It started when Chris Bangle and Pininfarina collide...

This car was originally called the "type 175" but the official name is the Coupé Fiat. It made a world premiere at the 1993 Brussels Motor Show and there's something odd about the design. The exterior design was penned by Chris Bangle (you may remember him for BMW) while the interior design was penned by Pininfarina. Pininfarina, hmmmm.... Think of it as Giugiaro's bigtime rival but still, I love the designs penned by either Giugiaro or Pininfarina. Okay, it was produced from 1993 to 2000, with over 72,000 units made and this one is a modern classic. The model featured on Foza 4 is the one with the 2.0L 20V Turbo engine mounted on it. It comes with a Viscodrive limited slip differential to prevent understeer. The 2.0L 20V Turbo engine produces 220HP of power and 310Nm of torque. This helps the car to go from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and top speed limited of 155mph. Wait, 155mph? Seriously? It's like a German car because why would high-performance German cars are limited to 155mph? It's because if it allow to run free, it would go 200mph so it would need a 200mph tyres, 200mph brakes, 200mph suspension, and that would cost a fortune. I learned that from Clarkson Supercar Showdown.

Jeremy Clarkson's Police Car!

Speaking of Clarkson, this Fiat Coupe is Jeremy Clarkson's car of choice for Top Gear's Police Car Challenge. What he done on the Fiat Coupe is add some Polizia livery with the words "IN JAIL, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM" and some weird-looking contraptions on the rear wheels that James May claims that "it would chop their feet off". For a comic relief, Clarkson's siren is all "animal sounds", which is much more rubbish than the "ice cream truck" jingle from James May's Lexus police car. I wouldn't explain about that because that's too long and instead check the vids from the Top Gear's COP GEAR challenge.

Now you know. But still, I really prefer Clarkson's police car because IT'S THE FILTH. Sorry. Anyway, Clarkson's police car livery is somewhat the trending design for the Fiat Coupe and if you were bringing it on the game of Tag, it's either eat or be eaten for the Fiat Coupe with Clarkson cop car livery and oh, somebody's got wrong with the handling!

GetBackers vs. Lupin the Third...sort of

The scene of the ultimate showdown.
A straight fight between GetBackers and Lupin III

Sorry folks. We're not comparing two anime shows that you know. We're comparing the two cars that were seen in anime shows. The original Fiat 500 which was Lupin the Third's car of choice while the memorable Subaru 360 was the car of choice for the Getbackers. How can we settle those classic minis? Let's find out, "Top Gear at the Movies" style.

Firstly, let's start with the Subaru 360. Ah yes. The little Subaru...The little Subaru 360....It maybe the first Subaru kei car ever built but undeniably, this car is the brainchild of the Subaru brand. This is the pride and joy of Fuji Heavy Industries when they're starting the Subaru brand in the 1950's. Even in today's standards, the Subaru 360 is still unique in the eyes of car enthusiasts. The Subaru 360 is powered by the 356cc engine, which was the standard kei car displacement in the 50's, that produces about 16HP of power and it was positioned at the (wait for it) back! Nope, the 360 is not a midship but it is the first and only rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive production car from Subaru. I have no wonder why did Ban Mido and Ginji Amano prefer that machine so much on their missions but still a great car for many. That model was launched in 1958, two years after the post war period was declared over, and production ended in 1971, replaced by the Subaru R-2. There is just one fact that this car is nicknamed the "ladybug", just when the original Volkswagen 1100 was called, and once approved, Beetle. So, are there any Subaru 360 owners clubs around the world? If there's any, well, count me in because I want to see how people love their Subaru 360 so much, they retain it in their garages even by today's standards.

Okay, we've done about the GetBackers' ride, how about the ride of our favorite master thief and a misfit that is Lupin the Third? If you were the kind of dashing debonair who spends most of the time at the heist of the world's most precious artifacts and treasures, be sure that your heists are not complete without this nippy little Italian rascal, the original Fiat 500. It looks similar to the ride Lupin III and the gang rode on The Castle of Cagliostro, which is a Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece but due to constraints, we can't show you the film, perhaps if Hammond and May didn't feature it on 2011's Top Gear at the Movies DVD. If that was featured, imagine if Hammond or May recreate the scene after the Monaco casino robbery from The Castle of Cagliostro film.

Anyway, for a quick history lesson, the original Cinquecento was launched in 1957 and it was heavily inspired from the Topolino compact but this compact car can accommodate up to four people, two more than the Topolino. Like the Subaru 360, the original Fiat 500 is a rear engine, rear wheel drive compact, meaning that its 479cc engine was at the back of it. As for the 479cc engine, it produces 15HP of power and it has a top speed of just 90kph. Not quite good for the highway trip but it looks perfect on the city streets. The one I featured here is the 1968 Fiat 500 F, it has a 499.5cc engine that produces 17HP of power and 22.4ft-lb of torque. This car weighs 520kg, which is somewhat heavier than the Subaru 360.

Okay, if I was going to be more like "Clarkson Duel", let's just say...Who is better? GetBackers or Lupin the Third? To find out, I've fully tuned both of my Subaru 360 and the 1968 Fiat 500 F and I chose "The Top Gear Test Track" as the venue. Both are fitted with Comfort Medium Tires and let's find out which of these two anime shows are better.

I started with the Subaru 360, which is the GetBackers' car of choice, and it did it in...

2:03.8

...then, it was the turn of Lupin the III's car, the 1968 Fiat 500 F. Guess my tuned 500 F has more power than my tuned Subaru 360, which makes it a bit more painful to ask. So then, same track, same driver. Lupin III's car is underway and it did it in...

1:47.1

...which means, the oldies anime was proven better than the anime that was aired in the 2000's! It was proven that Lupin the Third was better than GetBackers! The 1968 Fiat 500 F was proven to be quicker than the Subaru 360! No wonder! A very old anime that was beaten by a very very very old anime! Oh bugger! If only Top Gear made a DVD about the anime cars with Richard Hammond and James May on it, this would be it and this would be called TOP GEAR AT THE ANIMES! I hope Andy Wilman, executive producer of Top Gear, got that memo!

3rd Generation Fiat Panda

The Panda has been around for over 30 years when the first Fiat Panda came out in the 1980's and the second-generation Panda reached a milestone of over 2,000,000 units made last year. For this third-generation model, the all new Fiat Panda will do anything to make Fiat stand up from the ongoing European debt crisis that was plunged last year. Produced at the revamped Pomigliano d'Arco plant in Naples, Italy, the new Panda is all about Italian pride that expresses the art of car passion, no matter which league you are.

2013 Fiat Panda

Previous generations of the Panda seems a bit more squarish and ugly to look at because everything seems to be squarish and "it's cool if you're an 11-year-old boy". For this new Panda, the design is finally went to the right direction and I was going to say that I love the new look of the this 3rd-generation model. Although it still has the same side view design from the previous model, the new design is definitely enough for the average Italian motorist who are looking for a city car that is stylish. So what I'm looking now that this new Panda is no longer the ugly squarish type of Panda. The round shaping really makes it up to its bubbly personality, which is nice. Good mark for Fiat there.

2013 Fiat Panda interior

Okay, what I don't really get about the new Panda is the new interior. When you get inside, you really don't get it that there is too much square around here. From the parts of the steering wheel, the instrumental panel, the climate control, everything is so squarish! If you have a decent top-of-the-line model, you would find out that there are so many squares are imprinted on the seats that can accommodate up to five people. Perhaps if you're a kid, you would find out that those seats with several squared imprinted on it are somewhat fun to touch and your parents won't be noticing it. If you're up to connectivity, the available Fiat Blue&Me, in collaboration with Microsoft, provides you with hands-free voice commands that lets you listen to music, make phone calls, navigation, and more, without letting your hands off the wheel.

2013 Fiat Panda

At the start, the all new 3rd-generation Fiat Panda is available in two petrol engine types such as the 1.2 69cv and the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 85cv engine with idling stop function, and the 1.3 Multijet 16v 75cv engine.. Okay, the new 1.2 69cv Fire EVO II engine, which is the latest evolution of the Fiat FIRE engine range that boasts over 10 million units made. It provides 69PS of power and 102Nm of torque with improved fuel economy (combined) of 19.2km/L (5.2L/100km) and 120g/km of CO2 emissions. Lastly, the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 85cv engine, which is the first of the new range of two-cylinder engines developed by Fiat Powertrain, develops 85PS of power and 145Nm of torque but it can be reduced to 100Nm if the driver presses the ECO key on the dashboard to save petrol, leaving the fuel economy up to 23.8km/L of fuel economy and CO2 emissions equal to 99g/km, which is impressive for an Italian eco-car. On the 1.3L Multijet 16v diesel engine, it produces about 75PS of power and 190Nm of torque. Thanks to its fixed geometry turbocharger with intercooler, this diesel variant promises about 104g/km of CO2 emissions and 25.6km/L of fuel economy. Most of these variants come with a 5-speed manual transmission but there will be more variants for the new Fiat Panda coming soon this year.

Ten exterior colors are available on the new Fiat Panda such as Beige Accogliente, Bianco Sincero, Marrone Avvolgente, Nero Seducente, Rosso Cupido, Turchese Sognante, Blu Dipintodiblu, Grigio Allegro, Rosso Gioioso, and Viola Profumato.

My comment:
With the all new, 3rd-generation, Fiat Panda had its design finally came to the right direction, it tries to be more bubbly and cheerful for this cheap and cheerful Italian 5-door hatchback. With prices start at around 10,200 Euros for the entry level 1.2L POP up to 14,400 Euros for the 1.3L Multijet 16v 75cv S&S Lounge, this new Panda is definitely a cheap and cheerful hatchback that is more affordable than the Toyota Ractis. I was going to say that (sigh) I love it. Mwah!



Photo: FIAT

Fiat Abarth 500's US TV Ad - What's What Edition!

Get More: VH1 Pop Up Video

VH1 featured their "What's What" edition of the North American commercial for the Fiat Abarth 500! Well, whatever, because this is a "What's What" edition of this ad made by VH1, it tells about what's what about this commercial. Weird but it's just like the "What's What" edition of Disney Channel original movies we've watched. Hey! What gives?!

North American debut of Abarth 500 looks HOT

The Fiat Abarth 500 has arrived in the USA, courtesy of Chrysler, and this latest US Commercial for the Abarth 500 seems to be somewhat...HOT.

This ad's getting a bit naughty, and also the new Abarth 500. Speaking of which, what's the song on the 2012 Abarth 500 commercial? Okay, here's the answer: Smokescreen by Willis

FIAT 500C meets J-LO

Well, what do you know?

A Fiat 500C was appeared in Jennifer Lopez's music video of her new song, Papi!

I was impressed to see the Fiat 500C debuted in Jennifer Lopez's latest song and hey, that 500C looks great even though this music video is one heck of a riot for men who just can't get enough of J-LO!

Man, I just want that song! And also that car! ^^

Italian Casual - Fiat 500 1.2 8V Lounge SS

Song played on my Personal BGM: Blue Zone by Shizuka Kudo

From the Album: Blue Zone

The real beauty outshines all compacts

Back in 2007, the 21st Century Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) was released and the design really paid tribute to the Dante Giacosa's 1957 original rear-engined Fiat 500 and also inspired from the 2004 Fiat Trepiuno Concept car from the 74th Geneva Motor Show. It was the world's most trendiest compact cars because of its cute design, performance, value, and fuel economy. The model featured in Gran Turismo 5 is the Fiat 500 1.2 8V Lounge SS and it is known to be the flagship model of the Fiat 500 lineup.

The Fiat 500 outshines the night

This Fiat 500 Lounge is listed as a Premium Tier car and it can be obtainable for 23,300 Credits if your A-Spec or B-Spec Level is 1. It's not quite hard to obtain that kind of Italian casual compact car but let's look at how it goes; it was powered with a 1.2L 8-valve engine that produces 68HP/5500rpm of power and 75.22ft-lb/3000rpm of torque. Overall, the normal 500 1.2 8V Lounge SS weighs in 1010kg. In the hands of the owner, he/she can tune it to the maximum power of 263HP/7300rpm, 197ft-lb/6100rpm of torque, and weighs 858kg (853 with the added Carbon Fiber Hood). With that stats, it provides a go-kart like agility to the Fiat 500.

Slipped past the San Galgano Abbey

Because the exterior colors are offered in Bossa Nova White, Pasodoble Red, and Mod Blue, you can always change the color of your own choice by stopping by the GT Auto. Change the color of the Fiat 500 1.2 8V anytime you want and feel free to slap in some new wheels and aero kits to bring out its sporty look.

Fiat 500 precision driving at Tsukuba

It will take moments to master the Nuova 500's potential but with a little practice, it will be your responsible partner on the racetracks. Above all else, it was a fun-to-drive compact car. Maybe drifting with the 500 is not a good idea because it might end up falling down the 500 or also ended up going in two wheels like I did. Well, it depends on the suspension settings but plan your suspension settings carefully!

Fiat 500 precision driving at Fuji Speedway

Be sure to find the right settings for your 500! Timing is necessary to ease out the disadvantages and a little practice with the 500 goes a long long way. After all, the new Fiat 500 featured in GT5 really taste like the real-life new Fiat 500.

New Lancia Ypsilon

2012 Lancia Ypsilon

If you remember the game Gran Turismo 2 from the PSOne, chances are that you remembered Lancia's compact car known as the Y (it's full name was Ypsilon). The Lancia Y is a compact car that succeeds the Autobianchi Y10 from Italy, which the name Lancia Y10 was used in other European countries. By 2003, the Lancia Y underwent its first full model change and now adopting its full name "Ypsilon" while retaining its 3-door look and it is essentially used the Fiat Punto's platform. European women are the target customers for the Ypsilon because of its compact sizing. At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Lancia's gone full force and henceforth unveiled the second full model change of the Lancia Ypsilon with a twist. What's the twist happening to the new Ypsilon? It's simple, the all new Lancia Ypsilon is now a 5-door hatchback. The reason how did the all new Lancia Ypsilon became a 5-door model is because of the secret rear doors attached to it.

2012 Lancia Ypsilon

Despite the addition of two doors, the new 5-door Ypsilon is now heavily inspired from the Lancia Delta, making it the Delta's "mini me" because of the design cues and the first to come with Lancia's new trademark grille. While the previous Ypsilon is targeted for young females, today's 5-door Ypsilon is now heavily targeted to young adults at all genders. This could be a decent competitor to the Nissan March/Micra K13, third-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris, Chevrolet Spark from GM Korea Company, Citroen C3, or the second-generation Kia Morning/Picanto. A different premium comes around and stays around on the new Lancia Ypsilon 5-door.

2012 Lancia Ypsilon interior

At the center of it all, the new Ypsilon's interior possess a top-notch balance of style and comfort. Conveniences can come at different sizes and the new Ypsilon packs the best interior design when it comes to choosing the right European compact car fit for everyone's personal preferences. Which reminds me, the new Ypsilon interior looks somewhat similar to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta but the new Ypsilon's interior is classified to be premium and it packs a premium blend of charm and wit.

At the beginning, the new Lancia Ypsilon 5-door packs three engine types such as the 0.9L Twin Air 85PS engine, 1.2L 69PS engine, and a 1.3L Multijet 95PS diesel engine. Most of these engines are equipped with the idling stop function that automatically shuts off the engine when stationary. Before you say please, it comes with a 5-speed manual transmission so don't be shocked why did this city car come equipped with a stick shift because the customers demanded it to be more fun to drive, clean, and economical. No wonder the new Ypsilon is classified as a city-class compact.

My Comment:
The Ypsilon of yesteryears was just a three-door compact but today's Lancia Ypsilon is now essentially became a 5-door compact car that rocked the world since its Geneva premiere. The reason how did the new Ypsilon started with just 5-doors remains a mystery for now but for the fun of it, this looks more like a Giulietta junior to us but ready to beat up the Chevrolet Spark for good.

Photo: LANCIA Automobiles - Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.

Fiat Freemont

2012 Fiat Freemont

Summer in Europe is almost here and what would be better prepare for the long weekend is the new Fiat Freemont, the first Fiat under the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat and it is essentially based on the Dodge Journey/JC (recently on its Phase II). The Fiat Freemont was imported from Mexico, where the Toluca plant made those.

First off, the Freemont is a crossover utility vehicle that will compete the likes of the Chevrolet Orlando (made in Korea), Kia Sportage R, Hyundai Tucson iX, Peugeot 3008, or even the European Ford Kuga. It features sharp edgier design that has something you might want for the Italian-American experience. It was made for their active lifestyles and it is ready for the long European vacation.

The interior of the Fiat Freemont is highly convenient for everyone. With seating up to seven passengers, experiencing the new Freemont is just one thing to enjoy the long weekend with your friends and family. Okay, there are optional features such as the rear entertainment system that lets passengers watch their favorite movies while on the go. There is also a special navigation system that you can listen to music, to radio, watch movies, or seek directions on your next destination. You'll be glad to know that this car has Bluetooth connectivity so hands-free calling is simple as ABC. Aside from that, there are various seating arrangements offered on the new Fiat Freemont. Think about what comes next and you need to pick which seating arrangements fit your situation. Think of carrying so many babies, playing chess inside the Freemont, bring everything you saw, or you just want to sleep inside the Freemont when your wife doesn't let you in. The Fiat Freemont is made for your hectic lifestyles. Don't forget that when you're here.

At its launch, the Fiat Freemont is offered with the 2.0L Multijet 16-valve CRDi engine. It can be either 140ps or 170ps of power output but its transmission is a 6-speed manual transmission. Not quite good as a family mover but it can be a great part of your driving pleasures. The 2.0L Multijet 16-valve CRDi engine is Euro 5 compliant so this engine performed the cleanest possibilities on the European roads.

The Fiat Freemont is available at the following colors such as Bianco Idealista, Grigio Argento Vivo, Nero Indomito, Rosso Avventuriero, Blu Amletico, Grigio Viaggiatore, and Perla Esploratore.

My comment:
The Fiat Freemont is essentially based on the Dodge Journey thanks to the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat. Since Dodge is exiting the Italian market and no longer selling the Dodge Journey, the Fiat Freemont takes place. I just hope someone has some kind of badge conversion kits that can transform the Dodge Journey Phase II into the Fiat Freemont. The Dodge Journey is for the North American market while the Fiat Freemont is for the European market. It doesn't matter which side are you on but what it is made it more like Americans eating Italian pasta while riding.

One warning if CATS Motors bringing the Fiat brand to the Philippines very soon, they will offer the Freemont instead of the Journey but the engine lineup will source from the American versions. If both the Journey and Freemont come to the Philippines, be ready for a protracted fight. I don't know which one of these two will bring it to the Philippines soon but only CATS Motors will tell if they will bring the Dodge Journey Phase II or return Fiat to the Philippines so they will bring the Freemont.



Photo: Fiat Automobiles SpA

Italian Journey?!

2012 Fiat Freemont

As the Dodge Journey (Dodge JC in Japan), received a minor change and soon on US dealerships this year, I think that Fiat has something to bring this facelifted Journey to Europe as a Fiat.

Replacing the Europe-spec Dodge Journey is the Fiat Freemont, the OEM of the Dodge Journey.

I have one weird feeling; if FIAT returns to the Philippines soon, can the Fiat Freemont replace our Dodge Journey?

I don't know but the Freemont is scheduled for Geneva debut this March...

Fiat 500C Abarth

Just when you thought that the Fiat 500 with the canvas-top roof, called the 500C, was not surprising enough to satisfy your hunger for European compact cars, hey guess what, the sportier Fiat 500 Abarth gets armed with the canvas top, and it’s called the Fiat 500C Abarth!

This Abarth-tuned 500C is a great getaway car when you were a kidnapper, a most-wanted criminal, a husband getting away from his hotheaded wife, escaping from your boss, or you just want to play with this pocket rocket. As a special treat, the 500C Abarth allows you to color it by a single color or two-tone coloring to mix and match your style for this miniature weapon. It really captures the attention of the 500C Abarth's striking personality when racing amateurs come approaching to this majestic premium compact sports car.

The 500C Abarth is not the Abarth without the turbocharged 1.4L engine that has the power output of 140ps/5000rpm and the torque output of 18.4kgm / 4500rpm. Even when both the 500 Abarth and the 500C Abarth can accumulate a top speed of 205 km/h, the 500C's 0-100km runtime is 8.1 seconds, meaning it is slower than the 500 Abarth's 7.9 second run, but you might get a hang of it later when you want to tune that Italian mobster around.

There is one thing I am not quite familiar of, the paddle shifters armed on the 500C Abarth, this is a quick fire thing not recommended for a novice racer. These paddle shifters are recommended for a highly skilled racer to learn the basics of when or where to shift gears by means of speed, corners, and everything from the city streets, highway, or the racetrack.

My thoughts about the 500C Abarth:
If you are not familiar about the Abarth name, sad to say, do not try pushing your luck trying on this car, but if you are an Abarth fan, feel free to enjoy the 500 Abarth with the canvas top armed and ready to blow your minds, showing the mafia who is their father. This 500C Abarth is a quick fire thing that makes you feel like a true-blooded mafia ready to take down some rival mafia men by whatever means necessary. I am sure this is such a winner that we want Fiat back in the Philippines, if CATS Motors takes the distributive rights for the Fiat brand, so we might be able to experience the car we made ourselves drooling with jealously.