Abarth 500e (FA1)

Abarth welcomes the age of electrification with the all-new electrified 500, which is basically an FA1 Fiat 500 on steroids. A rather unwelcoming but welcoming way to introduce speedo boys to the new age of Abarth.

2024 Abarth 500e

2024 Abarth 500e

With prices starting at 37,950 Euros plus additional costs, the Abarth 500e welcomes speedo boys to the dark side of electrification as this electrified hot hatch completely vandalized the EV rulebook in the name of performance and freedom that will keep them addicted for more.

Beginning with the styling, the Abarth 500e looks pretty much the same as the normal Fiat 500e, in normal and cabrio versions, but it's been given Abarth credentials such as the show-off ABARTH lettering at the front, unique bumpers, and wild-looking 17-inch wheels, not to mention the new scorpion badging on the sides that signals Abarth's new generation.

Inside, the new Abarth 500e works pretty much the same as the normal Fiat 500e as well but the sat-nav is packed with performance pages with the odd-looking Drag function that checks acceleration and braking times. It even comes with an Abarth sport steering wheel, sports seats, and a rather flashy feature called Abarth Sound Generator that generates faux engine noises inside and out. Yes, the sound part is flashy indeed because why would they want to put noise in a noiseless EV car? Bad idea but speedo boys don't care about bad ideas anyway. They'll rather ignore such flashy stuff like this.

While the faux engine sound gimmick is deemed flashy by most speedo boys, is the performance worth redeeming in this electrified Abarth? With a 42kWh battery pack installed, the Abarth 500e's electric drivetrain pumps out 155ps of power output and 235Nm of torque, making it capable of a 0-100kph time of seven seconds and has a top speed of 155kph. The driving range is around 265km on one full charge and when plugged at a public charging station, it will take 35 minutes to get to 80% battery capacity, the size of one episode watched and three hail marys.

Although heavier than the old 500-based Abarth hot hatches, the Abarth 500e still behaves like a hot hatch because the dynamics are so out-of-character for an electric city car of this magnitude, and with the Scorpion Track in place, you can really drive this thing harder and louder for longer on the track. 

While driving on a comfort-oriented Turismo mode or sport-oriented Scorpion Street, the Abarth 500e features one-pedal driving, an idea stolen from today's Nissan Leaf. When you lift your foot off the pedal, it slows down and recovers kinetic energy to recharge the batteries, eliminating the need for applying brakes. Of course, you'll need one in case you want to make a full stop.

As expected the Abarth 500e features Level 2 autonomous driving in the form of intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Speed Assist, among many others.

Although one of the most controversial vehicles ever made this year, the Abarth 500e is one of the must-haves this year. Despite its show-off faux engine sound that is a real turn-off for speedo boys behind the wheel, the electrified performance is what made Abarth adapt to this new normal, and like it or not, the world's experiencing burning jealousy, wishing they want to drive one. Come on, Abarth. We're waiting.

Photo: Abarth

Fiat 500 (FA1)

The Fiat 500 has proven to be one of the greatest things to emerge from Italy since pizza, spaghettis, and Ferraris. People around the globe have been clamored by its tiny size, timeless styling, and nippy performance that can squeeze through like a clean sheet of paper. In the age of electrification, the all-new, all-electric, Fiat 500 has arrived to cater to today's motorist by delivering iconic looks with zero-emission driving fit for the future.

2021 Fiat 500

Starting at 26,150 Euros, the all-new Fiat 500 is one of the most reasonably-priced electrics on sale and with all that value comes numerous highlights such as the new styling, new interior, the electric powertrain, and so on.

2021 Fiat 500

Focusing on the styling, the new 500 looks vaguely similar to the previous model, which remains available at this moment in time, but look closely and you'll see that the new 500 sports an all-new exterior design, a stylish new set of wheels to choose from, a 500 badging on the front, and the new FIAT badge in the back, a first for FIAT.

For the first time, the new 500 is offered in three different body styles such as the regular hatchback, the open-top 500 Cabrio with the canvas top on it, and the first-ever 500 3+1, the one with the tiny extra door on the passenger side that allows you to squeeze into the rear seats just like the Hyundai Veloster. Yes, it's that thing but be warned though because it won't be easy living in the back seats.

2021 Fiat 500

The interior goes for the minimalist approach which can surely scare a speedo boy straight because of its long sat-nav touch screen with no buttons all over. Despite the minimalist approach on the dashboard that scares away speedo boys, (thank you FCA), it is still as roomy as the previous model and the boot space feels decent enough for trips to the grocery or for delivery purposes if you are into fulfillment. As I said, in the 3+1 variant, it won't be easy living in the back seats just like what you felt inside the Veloster.

2021 Fiat 500

On the driving side, the new electric powertrain on top-spec variants boasts a modest 87kw of power and 220Nm of torque, making it capable of hitting 0-100kph in nine seconds and a top speed of 150kph. The driving range is expected to be 312km on one full charge, which is quite decent for an electric city car of such size.

For cleverness, the Fiat 500 has three driving modes to choose from such as the range-friendly Sherpa mode, Normal, and the odd-looking Range mode, where it engages one-pedal drive just like the Nissan Leaf.

Despite being heavier than the previous model, the new 500 still handles like a good city car should, which is nice but there's one itty-bitty thing that will make you notice and it's the fact that the new 500 features Level 2 autonomous driving in the form of intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Speed Assist. Again, these things car scare speedo boys straight despite being innocent-looking Italian tiny car that has a mind of their own.

The all-new Fiat 500 is a step into the future of mobility because of its Level 2 autonomous driving and all-electric drivetrain that fits rather well in city life. Yes, if you're a speedo boy, you might not want to drive one but for a regular Joe who got his driver's license for the first time, then this is the electric car you can start with.

This nippy little Italian hatch just got a brand new lease of life in today's world where the dawn of internal combustion will soon face mass extinction because of ever-changing regulations, which makes speedo boys very sad, but for experts on the environment, it's their calling and this new 500 is worth the calling everybody's itching to drive one.

Photo: FCA

GT SPORT: Classic little guys

The original Mini, the original Beetle, and the original 500; three iconic little cars emerged from the 20th century and no matter how much pop culture stardom these cars possess, their classic tastes never go out of style, especially when you take these three for a spin at GT SPORT.



Ah, the classic trio of city cars. When you look at these three together, it's like three good-looking senior citizens hanging out at the pub for a nice draft, chatting about the good old days in a rather friendly manner and it's great to see these three together again in GT SPORT.

There are different reasons why these three looked so popular probably because of the star factor they posses. Most like the original Mini because Mr. Bean drove one as well and it's not just Mr. Bean, the original Italian Job movie and The Bourne Identity gave a shine and scratch over the legendary British icon.

For the Beetle, you should thank Disney and Hasbro for its stardom because if it weren't for this car, Herbie and Bumblebee wouldn't exist and speaking of Bumblebee, it's great to bring the classic Beetle back for the Transformers prequel film starring, you guessed it, Bumblebee. Expect bringing some tissues, folks.

As for the 500, well, the only thing that took a shine on the Cinquecento is Lupin the Third and a character from Disney-Pixar's Cars. I'm talking about you, Luigi.



What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is the three pillars of stardom; Mr. Bean, Herbie, and Lupin the Third. I know, it's not in order but such stardom really made these cars special even in today's times and here in GT SPORT, I'm driving these three icons to see which fared well. Having second thoughts, I traveled to Tsukuba and checking these cars out in a Best MOTORing method.



Okay, let's remember this right away because I've done this twice but if you need a quick refresher, get this; out of the three, the Mini has the most power while the Beetle is the heaviest of the three and the 500 is the lightest so on paper, their driving style do vary and while the Mini shows no problems in the handling department, the Beetle, because being the heaviest, can be slightly struggling to get round the corner, and the 500, because with so little power in so very light car, feels like it almost doesn't need a brake when it gets round the corner.

I know that the slow and steady will win the race but since this is GT SPORT, the rules of survival of the fastest shouldn't be ignored and with that, let's cue the tape.



After a quick lap round Tsukuba, here are the results;

Mini Cooper - 1:21.940
VW 1200 - 1:32.684
Fiat 500 - 1:42.259



History does repeat itself but it's undeniable 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. I appreciate how these three classic icons handle, although the 500 was the most surprising of the three (with thanks to Lupin the Third), but in the end, looks like Mr. Bean always wins the day. The untalkative weirdo has bested the Transformer and the master thief by a large margin and that really is a bombshell to end this day.

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 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

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!

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!

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.

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.