Forza Motorsport 7: Performance is in the Air

This is the original Fiat 124 Spider in play and upon driving this classic Italian roadster in the world of Forza, it made you realized that driving one of this is like a step back in time to the classic motoring from the last century. The golden years of motoring, if you may, and even it was emerged from the time the fuel crisis stopped them from driving Ferraris on the open road and made the switch to smaller but fun to drive cars that catered the essentials a true car enthusiast should live.



There's so much to love about the classic Fiat 124 Spider in every tangible way but for those who demand to drive the more modern version, here's the one you've been waiting for...



Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, your new Fiat 124 Spider, as emerged from Forza Motorsport 7's Samsung QLED TV Car Pack. Before I take a spin around this so-called by-product of the Axis Powers, as you say it, let's investigate about the 21st century 124 Spider.



At the 2015 LA Auto Show, Fiat revived the 124 name as the newest open-top rear-wheel drive sportscar on the road and while this is basically a Fiat, the shocking moment is that it was based on the Mazda Roadster (MX-5) ND and they're built at the same plant in Hiroshima, Japan.

Even though it features the same components as the fourth-generation MX-5, the Fiat 124 Spider differs from it because of the 1.4L MultiAir engine, shocks, and added length and cargo capacity compared to the MX-5.

The high-performance variant, the Abarth 124 Spider, was introduced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and it was powered by an Abarth-tuned 1.4L MultiAir engine producing 170PS of power and 250Nm of torque while mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It does 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and onwards to 232kph, faster than even the top-spec MX-5.



Even though it was just an MX-5 undernearth, the Abarth 124 Spider I'm driving is no MX-5 indeed because thanks to its Italian engineering lurking around the Japanese-made Italian sportscar, there's a big reason why a 124 is better than the MX-5 in so many ways and in this Abarth version, it really explains a lot. It still drives like what ever lightweight open-top roadster should but because the power and dynamics are what set these two cars apart, the 124 is a tour de force unlike the MX-5 even though it's the byproduct of the Axis Powers if you call it. It has some character, it has some stance, it has some personality, and the bark that its donor car couldn't possess and looks like Japan should be worrying about why an Italian MX-5 is better than the original MX-5. Could it be a conspiracy why a different version is better than the original even though they made from the same assembly line? It's too early to tell but in the meantime...



I'm at the Top Gear Test Track on a rainy day to see if the modern 124, in Abarth guise, really is the true successor to the original 124, the one Jeremy Clarkson drove in his final day as a Top Gear presenter before he became host of The Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May. Wait a minute, this Abarth 124 did featured in The Grand Tour with Hammond behind the wheel but anyway...





Looking back five decades, the Fiat 124 Spider is an all-time classic that likes to live up from the examples of the greatest lightweight sportscars in history and in today's time, the MX-5-based 124 continues the tradition despite having a spaghetti and sushi served on the silver platter. Some say that the normal 124 Spider wasn't as good as the MX-5 but thanks to the Abarth variant, it really did and it can outrun even a top-spec Mazda MX-5 with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L on it. I'm starting to love this new open-top Fiat even more and speaking of which, who wants to see a quick lap with these beauties?


After a wet lap round the Top Gear track with the past and present 124 Spiders, here are the results...

Old 124 - 1:48.092 (wet)
New 124 - 1:38.683 (wet)

Five decades and looks like the 124 did evolved into something special, which isn't bad for an Axis Powers team-up that made us upset, very very upset why the Rome-Tokyo-Berlin Axis made its way through the motoring industry because of BMW, Toyota, Fiat, and Mazda. Looks like the car companies from the Allied Forces need to step up against the motoring's Axis Powers. If the fat man who controls our lives once said the Germans are evil, why not the Italians and the Japanese?



Still, I am glad to drive the new 124 Spider in the game, even though it's a long overdue just like the Alfa Romeo Giulia that I drove a couple of moments ago but I'm not done yet because later on, I will find out if the Italian version of the Japan's favorite roadster is better than the original. This should be interesting so watch for it.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

The Abarth lineup is currently filled with beefed-up versions of the 500 and it's time for a change. Perhaps a Fiat 124 Spider-based model should come to the mix and enjoyment couldn't come any hairier than this with the first-ever, open-top, rear-wheel drive Abarth based on the new Fiat 124 Spider.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

The 124 Spider Abarth is the high-performance version of the Fiat 124 Spider, which is based on the fourth-generation Mazda Roadster, and judging by its performance, it will make not just owners of the normal 124 Spider but also owners of the latest Mazda Roadster the remorse they will regret having an lightweight open-top roadster that delivers a potential track-day talent some may call it "accessible".

Just how accessible is the 124 Spider Abarth? Well, with looks inspired from the 1972 Abarth 124 Spider, you can tell that this car has heritage from the legendary breed that became a talk-of-a-town when it battled fiercely though rally stages and numerous race feats, but that's just the half of the story. Under the hood lies a smaller, yet powerful 1.4L four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 170HP of power and 250Nm of torque. With this output, it will go from zero to 100kph in 6.8 seconds and onwards to 232km/h, which is very quick for a nippy little open-top sportscar with some shouty exterior design fit for the fashionable car enthusiasts. It also makes a not-so-bad noise from its exhaust as well.

Apart from the engine, the dynamics is what makes the 124 Spider Abarth very accessible, thanks to its perfect weight distribution and lightweight design, making it a new gold standard in the roadster segment. With a class-leading power-to-weight ratio, and weighing less than a Ford Fiesta, not to mention some track-honed handling, the 124 Spider Abarth can be as swift as swinging a wrecking ball with all the strength and force you can wield at and make some lava holes but living in a day-to-day basis can be somewhat challenging, that is when parallel parking on reverse is like climbing up a mountain.

Although not what you call a daily driver's car, the new 124 Spider Abarth, with its 40,000 Euro price tag, may sound expensive to own but it's a start for buyers looking for high-performance open-top rear-wheel drive roadster who believe that owning an Alfa 4C Spider or a Lotus Elise can be a costly experience. Nevertheless, the 124 Spider Abarth will make anyone's decision making a hard one choosing between a car inspired from and a car originated from. The Fiat 124-Mazda Roadster decision-making experience couldn't get even more complicating.

Photo: FIAT

Fiat Fullback

The new Fiat 124 Spider isn't the only Fiat with a Eurasian connection with a Japanese company, in fact, there's another Fiat with ties with another Japanese car company, this time with Mitsubishi for their midsize pickup truck called the Fullback. Wait, what?

2017 Fiat Fullback

We have all seen vehicles stealing fighter jet names. Raptor, Lightning, Typhoon, now Fiat's brand new midsize truck took the name from a very popular Russian fighter bomber meaning it's time to grab your axe because the new Fullback knows how to wield a mighty axe for people who got their hands full with their businesses, big or small. What this pickup truck means is that it deserves some serious businesses to work out with for anyone who wants to get their job done from sunrise to sunset.

2017 Fiat Fullback

2017 Fiat Fullback interior

Being another one of Eurasian Fiats ever made since the new 124 Spider, the Fullback is essentially based on the Mitsubishi Triton truck, which is the new model not sold in the Japanese market, meaning most of the stuff is purely Mitsubishi underneath the Fiat flair inside and out. It can be offered with either a single cab (that comes with bigger bed space or a double cab that trades bed space for more rear passenger space and two more doors. Whichever variant they choose, the Fullback delivers a bed width of 1,470mm and a loading compartment threshold of 850mm. Good enough to put some logistic-related materials, construction materials, or anything it can take on, even people for different purposes...although not recommended to do so.

2017 Fiat Fullback

Under the hood, the Mitsubishi-sourced Fiat Fullback features a completely aluminum 2.4L CRDi-VGT engine with two different power configurations, where the most powerful is the one with 180PS of power output and 430Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or automatic. With the Fullback comes with four-wheel drive, there's a nifty switch that offers four drive settings with a shift-on-the-fly system that allows drivers to adapt through different road conditions. It can be switched to either a rear-wheel drive, 4WD High Range, 4WD High Range with Locked Center Differential, or 4LLc.

Just like the Triton, the Fullback features Dual SRS Airbags, an Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, a turning radius of 5.9 meters, a Limited Slip Differential, and a Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution Body.

As far as they know, the Fiat Fullback starts at a theoretical 34,600 Euro pricing for the single cab model while the double cab costs around 36,430 Euros and an automatic variant costs 41,920 Euros. Sounds very costly for a pickup truck imported from Thailand and when compared to the VW Amarok, that pricing sounds so painful to own but despite the pricing, consider this a hearty alternative since VW has been in difficulties right now regarding the whole diesel flop they're facing with.

With a name unashamedly grabbed from a Russian fighter plane, the Fullback's ready to wield that mighty axe to the pickup truck fans with its potential capabilities that make it a keeper.

Available colors:  Verde Metallizzato, Blue Metallizzato, Rosso, Bronzo Metallizzato, Grigio Titanio Metallizzato, Nero Micalizzato, Bianco Perla, and Bianco.

Photo: Fiat

Fiat 124 Spider

For the first time since...um...forever...there is now a rear-wheel drive Fiat that we can all enjoy for and this rear-wheel drive Fiat marks the return of the legendary 124 nameplate in honor of the original 124's 50th anniversary since 1966. Heritage aside, the newly revived 124 Spider is just one of the biggest contributions in the axis powers (read: Japan-Germany-Italy collaboration) in the history of automobiles. Why?

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

There's a big reason why because the new 124 Spider is basically a fourth-generation Mazda Roadster underneath it but despite most of the stuff comes from Mazda, its performance is what differs it because the 124 has a little spark of Fiat on its Mazda-wrapped backbone. Under the hood is a 1.4L turbocharged MultiAir petrol engine which produces around 138 horsepower, which sounds like more than the Roadster's 1.5L petrol engine produces, meaning it can go 0-100kph in seven and a half seconds and onwards to 215kph. Even when they both have the same 6-speed gearbox and the same driving feel, the 124 is the better bet because it can do things that the Roadster can't in terms of speed, power, and everything else.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

In context, those who did enjoyed the latest Roadster had the impression that this car still retains the classic Roadster formula, valuing aerodynamics over performance, as well as delivering its nimble and yet accessible dynamics everyone can master. For the Roadster-based Fiat 124 Spider, though, while it promises to hark back the legendary 124 fifty years ago, it still acts and behaves just like the Roadster. It's nimble, it's easy to drive, and very accessible if you're sure enough to drive one on the open roads but driving one on the cities can get too tricky because while this is mated only with a 6-speed gearbox, parking this car can get messy but whatever it is, feels like this day will never end.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider interior

While this is purely a Mazda Roadster underneath with a different engine from Fiat, the new 124 feels very gorgeous to look at from day to night, however it can still be overshadowed when the open-top car you've encountered is another Italian car. Specifically, an Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. While the 4C is strikingly gorgeous to look at and drives better than the 124, best to know that the 124's starting price of 27,500 Euros, meaning that you can buy two of these (and some) for the price of the 4C Spider. Now that's a bargain good enough for a poor man's 4C Spider, though.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

So, would you rather have this than the Mazda Roadster it was based upon? Well, since the new 124 behaves like the Roadster, the only difference you will notice is the performance due to its turbocharged petrol engine made by Fiat and once you notice how it works, you have a clear judgment on which would you pick.

Available colors: Rosso Passione, Bianco Gelato, Grigio Argento, Grigio Moda, Azzurro Italia, Bronzo Magnetico, Nero Vesuvio, and Bianco Ghiaccio.

Photo: Fiat

Forza Motorsport 6: The Smallest Supercar

This is Abarth's equivalent of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, getting rid of stuff not needed for track duty and made it one of the most potent track weapons that will upset the big guys. Say hello to the 695 Biposto, part of the T10 Summer Car Pack.

Before we talk about this ultimate Abarth ever made, let's have a quick perspective about this tiny monster. "Born on the track, to live the road." The 695 Biposto from Fiat's Abarth performance brand draws inspiration from the track-focused 500 Abarth Assetto Corse, therefore giving its knack of being "the smallest supercar" from the Abarth 500 lineage.

As the most potent 500 Abarth ever made, the 695 Biposto weighs around 997kg (courtesy of its lightweight materials as well as extensive use of carbon fiber equipment), powered by a turbocharged 1.4L petrol engine producing 186HP of power, can get through 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds, and has a weight-to-power ratio of 5.2kg/hp. For the first time in a road-legal car, the 695 Biposto arms with a dog-ring gearbox with light flywheel and copper racing clutch.

The 695 Biposto also offers with a Track Kit, made for racing purposes only, complete with a digital data logger, Sabelt racing seat belts, Sabelt carbon shell racing seats, and a personalized racing helmet.

As a hot hatch equivalent of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the 695 Biposto is a non-nonsense track weapon that shows that even when focused on its handling capabilities, this hot hatchback loves to toy around even the biggest of sportscars when it gets round the corner. For such size, you may never know what tricks this car can play on its unsuspecting victims and this sneaky stinger likes to shake things up like a stealth kill on its unsuspecting predators from behind. Driving in the real world, the 695 wasn't made for this job due to lack of aircon and radio but for track use, especially when it comes with the Track Kit, the 695 is an enjoyable car that you drive as much as you want until you're not in a mood for a lightweight hot hatchback that values its handling more than anything else, especially its power. Not bad for a car that was proclaimed as the "smallest supercar" in the world.

Okay, if Abarth calls the 695 the smallest supercar in the world, let's put their theory to the test because I'm driving this car round the Brands Hatch GP Circuit and see if the 695 lives up to Abarth's promise by comparing it against the hot hatch powerhouses from Germany. I've picked the VW Golf R and the Mercedes A45 AMG as the basis for this challenge and see if the 695's handling capabilities trump against both of the power-hungry hatches.

Without further ado, let the experiment begin!

And now the results:

1:54.413 - Golf R
1:52.344 - A45
1:58.039 - 695

Well, so much for the smallest supercar. Although being a track-capable vermin, it still wasn't good enough to outsmart the most powerful ones but if I disregard the lap times and if I consider handling as a strong focal point, I have high doubts that the 695 Biposto is a clear winner. Those four-wheel drive Germans were great to drive but with all that struggle I felt when I get them round the corner, there is no way that the 695 Biposto is a good old-fashioned masterpiece and I acknowledge the Italians for bringing such a fine specimen like this.

As I had much fun driving the 695 Biposto, I wanna find out what's next in store for this car as well as the Abarth lineage.

Fiat Tipo

Fiat was known for making affordable cars aside from the iconic 500 through the years such as the Siena, Bravo, Linea, Seicento, Cinquecento (not to be confused with the 500), Stilo, and Albea. Yes, they're all affordable but they don't give much of the "aha factor" as you take it for a spin. Now, there's a new low-cost Fiat called the Tipo that promises to be not just to be affordable but enjoyable for first-time buyers. Does it really live up to its promises?

2017 Fiat Tipo

Sourced from Turkey and available only in the EMEA region, Fiat's brand new Tipo is just another kind of commoner's car that you can expect to see one on the road and then another one a few seconds later. Reason why you can expect to see one after another is because the Fiat Tipo starts at 14,500 Euros for the saloon, 15,900 for the hatchback, and 17,300 for the station wagon, making it one of the most reasonably priced cars available in Italy. So, what do you get with that kind of pricing?

2017 Fiat Tipo

2017 Fiat Tipo 5-Door

2017 Fiat Tipo Station Wagon

First, let's take a glimpse on the exterior design. At first glance, the Tipo's striking design makes it look like you mistook it for a Dodge Dart but this ain't your commoner's Dodge at home. It's just a Fiat that doesn't feel as exciting as the other cars. Design-wise, the Tipo features a best-in-class aerodynamic, to ensure low fuel consumption and pretty much about it. There's nothing to excite about how it looks, even if it switch body styles, well, save it for the station wagon anyway, for which the side view kinda reminds me of a mashup between a BMW 3-Series and a Hyundai i40...in my mind.

2017 Fiat Tipo interior

Although nothing exciting about the interior design, the Tipo has everything you can expect in most cars. There's the steering wheel, a radio, an aircon, seats, radio, everything that a car should have. In terms of comfort, it's not half bad but it feels like a cabbie when you at least expect it or your dad's car that fetches you to school or a ride back home. Although not what you called luxurious, the Tipo's trunk has enough room to store your grocery shopping or if you go for the station wagon variant, that a lot of room to fill in aside from groceries and garage sale loots.

Anyway, what to see under the hood? Being an economy-class car rather than business-class, the Tipo offers three engine types such as a 1.4L petrol, 1.3L MultiJet diesel, and a 1.6L MultiJet diesel engine, which is the most powerful in this lineup with 120PS of power. All engines are mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

What about handling? Well, with turning radius of 11 meters, getting through roundabouts wasn't a pain in the arm because of its reliable suspension layout that Fiat claims, it's not so bad to drive at city centers or at subdivisions but don't get too excited because deep down, you know it can get too dreary to drive one, event at traffic.

So, thoughts about the new Tipo? Overall, the pricing is surprisingly what you called value for money and it drives rather well for an economy-class car. However, being an economy-class car, the Tipo is not exciting to drive at and the engines doesn't give you the oomph it deserves. To conclude, the Tipo is the ideal first-timer's car to start with. Although it lacks some character, this car is plain accessible to drive.

Photo: Fiat

Fiat 500X vs. Jeep Renegade

Through the years, the Fiat 500 has been one of the city cars that became an unforgettable car icon since the VW Beetle and the Mini, and its evolution is what keeps the 500 an Italian car with such quirky history. Sure, every purist knows that all good 500's has to be three-door but with the introduction of the 500L MPV, they believe that is witchcraft and it's a sacrilege for the 500's identity and if that wasn't enough, here comes another 5-door 500, only this time, as a crossover.

2015 Fiat 500X

Meet the brand-new Fiat 500X. On paper, it looks like a Fiat 500 that's taking the blue pill and made it larger than the pensioner's erection, but even though this is a biggie compared to its high-value target, the Mini Countryman, the 500X is just one of the fine examples of why active lifestyle vehicles, no matter how big or small they are, are the IT thing of the century.

With prices start at 17,500 Euros, there are two styles to choose from such as the City Look, which offers a choice of either a 1.4L turbo petrol engine or a 1.6L turbodiesel engine, or this; the Off-Road Look, which comes with the same choice of engines as the City Look, only this time with the added 2.0L diesel engine exclusive to this trim. While most models come with a manual gearbox, some models do come with a 9-speed automatic gearbox, a first for Fiat, which is somewhat too much for a small crossover like this. That's like stuffing a sandwich it some unpeeled apples and that's a lot of cogs to handle for a small car.

What about driving? On the city streets, the 500X still feels like a city car despite its sizing, and it feels not half bad on the open roads. It may not be a sporty car to drive but it's still essentially fantastic for an active lifestyle hatchback. Its 4WD system is as odd as a fictional novel you bought at a local petrol station because it feels like a front wheel drive but in dire emergencies, half of the power goes to the back. Hmmm...

2015 Fiat 500X interior

Although it's a small crossover, the 500X still has some ample room fit enough for your garage sale shopping from one suburban to another, which is good for active lifestyle enthusiasts who want to spend the rest of their day off go out and do stuff rather than watching TV. It accommodates up to five people, which makes the 500X as convenient as the 500L MPV.

The Fiat 500X may be a decent active lifestyle vehicle but it doesn't feel like an active lifestyle vehicle even if it has 4WD. There's another issue with the 500X because thanks to this crossover, it spawned itself its American cousin...

2015 Jeep Renegade

2015 Jeep Renegade interior

Welcome everyone to the all new Jeep Renegade. Like the Fiat 500X, it's a compact crossover that can seat up to five people, comes with an optional 4WD and the standard 1.4L petrol engine but the one thing that differs it from the 500X is the Renegade comes with the optional 2.4L MultiAir Engine, as seen from the Dodge Dart and the latest Chrysler 200, and then there's the offroad-worthy Trailhawk model, for $24,995, which has the best 4x4 capability in its class.

As a result, this particular Renegade could be the ideal active lifestyle vehicle for the job; made to picking up friends and family, doing things straight from the bucket list, and overall, this crossover can go places where no other compact crossovers can't. As for the interior, it looks as rugged as a female soldier who forgot to put on her jacket. Now that's an adventure!

But there are some flaws for the Renegade and one of them is the styling because here's the scenario; if you park this one next to the smaller Suzuki Hustler, you can see that they're both similar from the front and back and if you have problems with your eyes or when you're recovering from an eye surgery, chances are you might mistake them both. There's also another flaw and with prices start at $17,995, it's a sheer sign that you can't afford Jeep's greatest hits such as the luxurious Grand Cherokee, the offroad-favorite Wrangler, and the horrifyingly ugly Cherokee which has the face of a certain video game baddie that eats the little good guys. Lastly, there's this; the Renegade is made in Italy, just like the Fiat 500X, so when you're having your little 4th of July BBQ party, your neighbors might see your Renegade, saying that's not an American car, it's Italian, and yes, that's true...sorta.

The Fiat 500X and the Jeep Renegade are relatives but even though they come from the same womb, they still behave differently because while the 500X is designed to be more of a city car rather than being an outdoorsy type of car, the Renegade is a crossover built for their everyday adventures. It's going to be quite a long-term job to decide which one but a little heads or tails might decide the outcome.

Gran Turismo 6: Timeless Classic Icons

The Mini Cooper, the VW Beetle, and the Fiat 500, classic icons that changed the automotive world through the years and now, it's time to find out which of these three timeless classic icons is the most iconic.

The place? Brands Hatch. The layout? The short Indy Circuit. The rule? Fastest time wins.

The Mini Cooper is a product of Sir Alec Issigonis and remains a purists' favorite over the Germanized modern Mini while the classic VW Beetle is the worldwide phenomenon that gave Volkswagen the reputation of being the "people's car" and the Fiat 500 is...well, it's one of Italy's contribution to the world. Mr. Bean drives a Mini, the Beetle is Herbie the Love Bug, and Lupin the Third drove a Fiat 500. They're all part of the pop culture craze but still, this is a GT6 science experiment and we're finding out whose the most iconic.

Although the Mini has the highest power of the three, it's heavier than the Fiat 500 but lighter than the Beetle, so it's a well-balanced classic city car that not only it looks good on the city streets but it's a good track-day car because the classic Mini has a racing pedigree. From the racetrack to the dirttrack, the Mini is always the David that trumps all the Goliaths in the motorsports history. The Fiat 500 may have a very low output but because it weighs over 500kg, you can find this car to be more maneuverable and more enjoyable to turn thanks to its lightweight bodywork. The Beetle though...it maybe the best of both worlds but even though it has more power than the old 500, it's heavier than the old 500.

After a lap round the Brands Hatch, here come the results...

1:06.219 - MINI

1:15.592 - Beetle

1:22.898 - 500

It's proven that the original and British-made classic Mini Cooper is by no means the most iconic of the three timeless classic due to its motorsports pedigree and a very high popularity among car enthusiasts and historians. Maybe that's why most purists prefer this more than the modern Mini that is made by BMW.

 

Fiat 500L Trekking and 500L Living

2014 Fiat 500L Trekking

So, what do we have here? Another crossover? Sadly, yes. There's another one of those tall hatchbacks disguised themselves as a sport utility vehicle but sadly not as SUV as a normal SUV and this time it's in the work of Fiat by spawning themselves a more "adventurous" version of last year's 500L. It's called the Trekking and what this is is a 500L that some say it's fit enough for the whole 104 days of summer vacation with school starts to end it.

The annual problem for this new crossover version of the highly confusing 500L is finding a good way to spend it but how? How can we spend 104 days of summer vacation with this one? Well for starters, the 500L Trekking was made for those who want to wander around unknown roads from point A to point B regardless of which path they'll be choosing. Well, with the saying goes "the road less traveled", the 500L Trekking never seen it that way because even though it prefers the road less travelled, it still behaves like any other soft-roaders of today, even the likes of the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008.

2014 Fiat 500L Trekking interior

First and foremost, the 500L Trekking costs 19,650 Euros, about two thousand Euros more than the Panda 4x4 model and of course, being a 500L, it's not what you called "cute" either. Of course, you can still expect the same 500L practical stuff as well as the uConnect feature that seems to be as bland as a made-in-China digital camera or MP3 player from a made-in-China company you bought from Fry's. Talk about quality issues, eh? He he he...

Under the bonnet, the Trekking is available in different engine configurations such as a 1.4L 16V, a 0.9L TwinAir Turbo, a 1.3L Multijet, and the 1.6L Multijet engine. What seems odd to me that the 0.9L TwinAir Turbo engine develops about the same power output of 105PS as the 1.6L Multijet engine but for the fun of it, the TwinAir Turbo engine is my pick because with such a small engine dropped inside the Trekking's bonnet, it's not quite bad but as a concept, it's a tad old-fashioned to me. What bothers me that most of the engines the Trekking's offered do come with a START&STOP idling stop system which shuts the engine off when stopped and then start again when set off, to save fuel.

2014 Fiat 500L Trekking interior

Like any other crossovers, the Trekking is available only in front-wheel drive but there was a feature called the Traction+ system which some say it provides added grip on rough terrain but be warned though that even though it was an exclusive feature for the Trekking, it's just another traction control mashup like I examined on the 2008. It may not be quite as off-road capability as a Range Rover but it sure acts quite normally on light off-road use. Be warned though that comical behavior like what Clarkson did on the Auris back in New Zealand is unadvisable and doing so is stupid.

2014 Fiat 500L Trekking

So, the 500L Trekking, it may be more of another one of those non-sense crossovers of today but spending the whole 104 days of summer with this one isn't a bit of a rush unless you have a "do-nothing day" in your schedule but what about you're a family man and you want a more practical Fiat than this? Of course you might say Freemont but that's too expensive so what about a cheaper alternative to the Freemont?

2014 Fiat 500L Living

Okay, I'd be honest with you but, another 500L? Yes, another one but this time, this is the long-wheelbased big brother of the 500L called the Living. The 500L Living. Get it? Living as in..."I'm a little LIVING boy". He he he...

Although smaller than any other MPVs of today, there are things to consider about the 500L Living; first of all, it's available in either a 5-seater or a 7-seater model. Since there is now such thing as a 7-seater 500L, that's seem to be as absurd as Brainiacs running through a river full of custard or peeing someone. Awkward, isn't it?

2014 Fiat 500L Living interior

2014 Fiat 500L Living interior

That's not all, if you opted for the 7-seater option, access to the third row is done by the large door surround and the 'one hand' mechanism which permits the seat to be folded down completely. I know that sounds fine but because it's too small, I'm afraid that getting through the third row seats is a hassle, even for me of that weight because I might be experiencing some muscle pains by the time I get in or out through the third row seating. Ouch.

Of course, like the 500L and its Trekking brother, the Living comes with a 0.9L TwinAir Turbo, 1.3L Multijet, and a 1.6L Multijet engine but for the Living, it comes with a 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Natural Power 80cv, the engine that was awarded BEST GREEN ENGINE of 2013. This engine though, has 163kph of flatout speed and CO2 emissions of a low 105g/km. It's Euro 5 compliant so this natural gas-powered engine does meet European emissions regulations, making it a a well-mannered eco-car for the masses.

2014 Fiat 500L Living

Sounds reasonable though and then with the pricing of 19,200 Euros, that's amazingly cheaper to own than the Freemont, which is essentially a Dodge Journey imported from North America and then slapped some Fiat badges on the face.

Anyway, enough about that, what about what is like to be a family car? I was expecting to be as smooth as Jon Tickle walking through a pool of custard. He he he. Anyone remember that? I do. Sadly, it isn't. Although being an MPV, the Living doesn't stand up to its name and ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Bang goes the comfort zone. If I was a mom feeding a baby with a bottle of milk, most of the milk will spill out on my favorite clothes. And then when junior tries to drink a bottle of fizzy pop, most of it will spill out. That's the experience I might be talking about when it comes to the Living's comfort zone but when taking it so slow, it feels fine. It's a good thing it's not as Asian as a cheap Japanese MPV with less features because if it were, most of my bones will warp through my head right now.

So, conclusion time. The 500L Trekking is a summer vacation car that all's well at first but the fun doesn't last for long when you reached through the boundaries of the world while the 500L Living is a family car that all seems fine for the whole summer but with little space for the third row seats, that's giving me the cramps. Question is, what would you prefer?

Photo: Fiat

Gran Turismo 5: Classic Fiat Panda

Sometimes though, even the world of Gran Turismo can be a bit too notorious for featuring so many bangers in the franchise, one of those bangers was this, the first generation Fiat Panda. By the time I drove one of those, the first thing that came out in my mind is simple...What am I doing in this old banger anyway?



First of all, let's talk about how it looks like. The first generation Panda, launched in 1980, was styled by Giugiaro, which seems to be an interesting name because he's the man behind numerous works including the first generation VW Golf, the Lancia Delta, and the Maserati MC12. It's not quite bad for a Giugiaro-designed car even though it looks kinda resemble to the Fiat Uno, the car I rarely saw one in the streets when I was a kid. However, let's get back to the question...



What I have here is the one with the 1.0L engine, complete with electronic fuel injection. This engine develops a very disappointing 44HP of power and when I take my foot down on the pedal...that noise from its engine which has the same capacity as a 1-litre bottle of Coke is about as similar as a vibrating chair, only a bit too dull. So, when the noise is too dull, how about cornering? When careful, the cornering of the Panda seems a bit generous but no. The handling is not generous. If I was an old lady, most of my spine will shred every time I turn round a corner in the Panda. Painful, isn't it?

Understeer-wise, I could get likely be crashed. Yep, this banger is all horrid to me. I wonder how did the owners of this old Panda handle this so seriously?

Another thing about the first Panda that since its discontinuation in 2003, about 4.5 million units were produced, making it one of the most common cars you can expect one not just in Italy but in most parts in Europe. By the time the Panda is good to drive in the past, it garnered so much recognition and oh, it was placed 2nd in the European Car of the Year awards in its first full year of production.



For stupidity, this car has been in the butt of stupidity. I saw Clarkson made a limo out of it from an episode of Top Gear and then it got split into two. Also, this Panda got flipped over by a bunch of rockets for some Brainiac experiment about stuff NASA never tried. Remember those? Me too...

But still, despite being too horrid for today's world, the Panda is still one of the most memorable rides made by the Italians. Even though it's all crud, I still appreciate how the Panda gave it all it had for the drivers.