evo SUMMARIES - ATP

British car mag evo, whose thrust is 'The Thrill of Driving', recently wrote the following regarding the subjects ↓ and GoodCarBadCar showcases them in this special Across The Pond:

(Fiat) Abarth Grande Punto: ".... But now there is a road car, the Abarth Grande Punto, and it's being displayed in this flagship showroom where we're also about to settle down for the press conference. Although clearly based on a Fiat Grande Punto, you won't find a single Fiat badge on it. There are scorpions on the wheels, a shield on the bonnet, a shield and tricolour lightning bolt on each flank, more shields inside, but not a single four-letter word beginning with 'F'...... the engine is much better than you'd expect a 1.4 to be. It's remarkably unturbo-like and, whilst it needs to be kept on the boil, it sounds good and pulls strongly between three- and five-thousand rpm." - Henry Catchpole


Mini One: "With all the brouhaha surrounding the Minis in the upper echelons of the range it's easy to forget about the One, the 1.4L entry-level model..... When it's all said and done, it's hard to knock the One. It's an honest, no-frills tool that delivers on all levels. So unless you're after a full-blown hot-hatch, our advice is to keep it cheap and keep it cheerful. After all, it's the way Minis used to be." - Roger Green


Audi A4 3.2 Quattro S-Line: "The tuneful V6 makes short work of straights and slow-moving traffic, while high grip levels and tight body control make for impressive composure when you up the pace.... For all its talents, though, the A4 feels slightly inert from behind the wheel. It;s undeniably capable, combining agility and pace, but the whole experience is very businesslike..... Don't despair though, because it's an improvement on the old car across the board, which means the legend of the RS4 is in safe hands." - Ross Pinnock

External links:
Punto
Mini
New A4

FLASHY NEW CAR SITES

It's been quite a while since GoodCarBadCar rated the best super-luxury automotive websites. Lamborghini came out on top of the eleven-company comparison. If you were to cut away some of the cost found inside those websites cars but keep the cool web features; you might arrive at the sites found below.

Check out these two GM sites: the new Malibu at www.chevrolet.com/malibu and Vauxhall's VXR site at www.vauxhall.co.uk.

Considering the market BMW is attacking with the Mini, www.miniusa.com better have a good site. Fiat wants to cater to the same folks who'll spend slightly higher dollar figures on slightly smaller cars. So, www.Fiat500.com is pretty awesome, especially the configurator/build section.

Suffer through the slow load times and you'll be impressed by www.honda.co.uk/car. Finally, LandRoverusa.com has some Extraordinary Experiences. Watch the Range Rover Sport in Tokyo.

ACROSS THE POND - Fiat Panda 100HP

Although pandas are more commonly linked with Australia, the automotive world is indelibly linking the word 'panda' with Italy. Fiat, now firmly back from the brink of disaster, has returned to its small car roots. GoodCarBadCar has given the wee Panda some attention before, but because such a large portion of GCBC readers will never see the world's best performance-car bargains, it is expedient that GoodCarBadCar finds them in action for you. There's more to come, but first check out the Fiat Panda 100HP.

Read about other Panda appearances at GCBC Top 5

Not long ago, American car consumers were frightened by vehicles which had bhp ratings below 100. In 2007, that same syndrome almost rings true of cars with horsepower under 190 or 200. Forget that, would'ya? Here are two reasons that thinking is misguided: the Panda is very lightweight; extra power necessitates more weight. Weight and power equals increased fuel consumption. Bad. Reason numero dos: the Panda is really, really cheap. We're talking £6000 below Mini Cooper, equivalent to Honda Fit kind of prices. Don't complain - just watch the clip.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE NEW, MODERN FIAT 500

In an era when spy shots of upcoming vehicles weren't plastered across Google Image search results and preliminary specifactions failed to grab the attention of blogosphere comment sections, Fiat, the Italian Automobile Factory of Torino, manufactured the 500. Between 1957 and 1975, the diminutive 500 was equipped with similarly diminutive engines. Generally, with capacities under 1 litre, the 500 wasn't fast but was driven on Italian highways and village roads as though it was Ferrari-like in its ability. 

There's a new Fiat 500 now. Fiat calls it "bumper-to-bumper cool". At first glance you will assume the new 500 is a retro imitation of the original, but in size alone, the new 500 clearly diverts. Fiat has extended the length of the modern 500 by nearly two feet, in part to deal with current safety regulations. 

While still inexpensive, the Fiat 500 caters slightly to the premium small-car buying crowd that loves the Mini Cooper. Fiat's Panda, the car on which the 500 is based, is left to mop up the truly economical segment. Times are moving quickly in Turin, however, and even the new 500 is moving on. For a better understanding, take a look at the evolution of the Nuova 500. 

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FIAT TREPIUNO CONCEPT: Technologically advanced in a way that couldn't lead anyone to believe Fiat was aiming for the bargain basement with the modern incarnation of the 500.

FIAT 500: Maximum horsepower sits at 100bhp from a 1.4L, but if you can make it under the bar, one can go as low as a 69bhp 1.2L.

FIAT 500 ABARTH: Bumping horsepower up 35% is nothing to sneeze at, even if 135bhp sounds small. Abarth is now to Fiat what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz.

FIAT 500 ABARTH ESSEESSE: If Abarth is the equivalent of AMG, the esseesse is the equivalent of the AMG Black series. Its kit will hit your dealer in a famous Abarth box with perforated and ventilated front brake discs; lowering springs; and white or titanium wheels. Oh, and 160 horsepower. The Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse should be able to top 130mph.

FIAT 500 ABARTH ASSETTO CORSE: 49 examples of the Assetto Corse will be built for track users. Ultra-light racing wheels are just one of multiple weight-saving measures that stripped away 180kg (396 lbs). Owners also receive their own Assetto Corse overalls, helmets, gloves, and shoes.

NEXT FORD KA REVEALED

Are you seeing a Fiat 500? Neither do I. 

Ford and Fiat have an agreement on small cars. In other words, if you're not already reading between the lines, underneath this oh-so-European-Ford skin sits the Fiat 500. Sort of. Ford and Fiat likely won't say it in so many  - or so few words. 

Originally, the Ford Ka was a 90s-era success story for Ford of Europe. Fuel was already expensive. Cars were always more expensive. Taxes on such transportation devices were exbortitant. The story hasn't changed; it's only become more serious.

But the Ka wasn't just a 4-wheeled toaster for moving humans. It looked good, drove well, and Ford aided the cause by spitting out special editions about as frequently as baseball managers spit out tobacco. Then there was the Sport Ka and Street Ka convertible. 

As you may've guessed, Ford's most challenging competitor for the new Ka will be the resurgent Fiat's 500. Price advantages at likely every level is Ford's probable edge.History is on Fiat's side. Style may be, as well. We shall wait and see. More angles will surely appear soon.

FIORINO vs FIORANO

Differences quickly manifest themselves in a comparison of these corporate cousins. Perhaps "cousin" is terminology that Ferrari, the world's most famous and capable supercar maker, would prefer we drop. However, for cutesy; pointless; but fun comparisons, the Fiat Fiorino Qubo and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano pair up wonderfully.

Where the Turin-based Fiat makes do with an 'I', the Modena-based Ferrari names its car with an 'A' in the midst; after the test track that Ferrari's Formula 1 racers and road cars have been using for 36 years.

Check the Numbers below to learn about more of the astounding differences between two similarly named vehicles; two vehicles that filter money back to many of the same coffers.

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4 - total passenger doors (two rear-hinged) built into the Fiat, double the total of the Ferrari

620 - horsepower available to the Fiorano driver, 545 more than the Fiorino's 1.3L  generates

13 - number of Fiat Fiorinos you could have for the price of 1 Ferrari Fiorano

39 - extra miles the Fiat Fiorino Qubo 1.3L MultiJet will travel on a U.S. gallon of fuel above and beyond the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

490 - grams per kilometre of C02 emissions exiting the tailpipe of the Fiorano, while Fiat offers a Fiorino that's already very close (if not past) to meeting the frightening Euro emissions target of 120g/km

10 - turning circle, measured in metres, of the Fiat Fiorino, some 2.5 metres tighter than that of the Ferrari Fiorano

TWO CARS, TWO SIZES, TWO WORLDS

Cadillac and Fiat have little connection. Apart from $2 billion, that's billion with a b, that Cadillac's parent GM gave Fiat not to buy it, Cadillac and Fiat do not enter into the same equations.

Word is reaching our ears, however, that Cadillac is fast-tracking a V12 engine closer to reality for a future XLS, aka the Sixteen concept. That would be one of the larger mass-produced cars on the planet. This news comes on the heels of photos of the Fiat 500, one of the smallest cars you'll see.

Fiat made the first 500, commonly remembered as the Cinquecento, nearly 50 years ago. Cadillac debuted the outlandish-but-intriguing Sixteen as a concept in 2003. If Cadillac ever wants to revive its ability to call itself 'The Standard of the World', they must offer something that competes with the best in the world. Fiat's full revival depends, as it always has, on its small cars. The Panda and Grande Punto have paved the way of excellence, but Fiat's most famous model will attract buyers, image, and a little money.

Cadillac will have to invest a large amount of money in a large car, with its accompanying large engine and large price to compete with Mercedes S-classes, BMW 7-series, Audi A8's and Maserati's Quattroporte. Investing large sums of money without impressive results equals large losses of money. If Cadillac insists on going forward, it is imperative that they enter the arena as the best, just to be considered.

Risk and reward. Cadillac could gain so much by a successful production version of the Sixteen, yet the losses could be awful. Fiat does not risk nearly as much, nor will they gain as much. They're chances of success is greater, but the success does not have the potential magnitude.

Cadillac and Fiat joined at the hip? Not so much.
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The Good Car Guy is on an extended test-drive, a short-term vacation. Check back regularly, updates will always be attempted.

DEBUT - ABARTH FIAT 500

Once named Southern Europe's Impact Car of the Year can also be had in the once-revered (still-revered) Abarth form now. Carlo Abarth founded the firm in 1949 as a racing outfit and tuner but Abarth was sold to Fiat in 1971. Although there have been rough years for Fiat in the recent past - which equated to Abarth neglect - Fiat can now rightfully attach the Scorpion logo to its suddenly famous small car.  

Does 135bhp sound weak to you?  It ain't.  The very good Fiat Panda 100HP on which the 500 is based makes do with, yes; 100 horsepower.  152 lb-ft of torque isn't shabby, either.  Fiat generates this power with a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder.

PROFILE: LUCA DE MEO - ALFA ROMEO

Pictured on the passenger side of the Fiat 500 is Luca de Meo.  Sergio Marchionne, an Italian-Canadian and Fiat CEO, has appointed de Meo to be head of Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo.  Poor Alfa; a brand that has struggled with dealers, reliability, and positioning.  It is now Luca de Meo's turn to try and sort it all out. Antonio Baravalle was the last to make an attempt.  Alfa, somewhat like Ford earlier this decade, has introduced a halo model far above the regular production models available in their showrooms. Granted, just like the Ford GT, Alfa's 8C Competizione is a wonderful vehicle.  As far as its bearing on the Alfa's people like you and I could drive.... the 8C becomes nigh-on inconsequential.  

Luca de Meo's job, like it was when he served the Group at Fiat, is to turn Alfa Romeo around.  Slumping sales is gross to Luca. Here then, simulcast with News via Quote at http://www.currentquotes.blogspot.com, is their story.

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"One of De Meo’s duties is to take an out-of-the-box approach to Alfa’s US return." Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne.

"It will be more difficult than Fiat - at least with Fiat we knew where to start." Alfa Romeo's new CEO and still Chief Marketing Officer across the Fiat Group, Luca de Meo.

"If we can do it there, it should work anywhere." Luca de Meo references the United Kingdom market, where Alfa saw a 30-40% increase in sales last year, making it the fastest growing brand in the UK. This came after a total revamp of the dealer network and a 50% reduction in showrooms.

"The difference this time, is that I am going to do it." Luca de Meo responds to the fact that Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and Antonio Baravalle have made noble attempt towards the same goal.

"Alfa Romeos need to be compact, agile, pretty powerful, beautiful and with a good engine noise. It's not rocket science, but it's difficult to actually do." Mr. de Meo succinctly describes the perfect Alfa Romeo and the difficulty to produce it.

"This is the man who I have given the unforgivable task of trying to fix Alfa Romeo." Sergio Marchionne describes the difficult job description as he introduces his problem solver, Luca de Meo.

AUTO NEWS VIA QUOTES

"Mercedes-Benz is the taxicab of choice in Germany, which shows if you have the right products, being the airport car won't hurt you." Ford President of the Americas, Mark Fields, speaking to the fact that Lincoln could attain limo+cool status.

"America has never been more ready for a car like this." smart USA President, David Schembri, speaking at the delivery to one of smart's first American customers.

"I think Chrysler has cut a lot." United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger believes that new labour agreements should be enough to stave off more cutbacks at American automakers.

"...we know what we're doing when it comes to combining industry-leading safety with industry-leading value." John Krafcik, a Hyundai VP, after noting that Hyundai produces more IIHS Top Safety Picks than BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Toyota.

"I feel more than happy with today." Former two-time F1 champ Fernando Alonso after his first day of testing back at Renault.

"We are in discussion with Tata Motors on dealers and distribution of these brands. We are looking at an interesting set up." Alfredo Altavilla, Vice-Chairman of Fiat India speaks of Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Ferrari being introduced in the world's second-largest nation.

"Everyone wants to pollute less; that's a no-brainer. What we've heard from our customers is if Bentley can be socially responsible that would be a positive.'' Bentley spokesman David Reuter figures the ultra-rich are about as socially conscious as the rest of us.

"Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with this tremendous result which marks our fifth anniversary in the best possible way." Rolls-Royce's CEO, Ian Robertson, appears to ignore the multiplicity of decades prior to BMW's Rolls-Royce, but is happy with a worldwide sales increase of 25% and total Indian sales of eleven.

"We don't look at this as a car ad as much as we look at it as a statement." Scott Keogh, VP of Marketing at Audi, plays up the importance of Audi's Paramount Pictures-produced Super Bowl ad.