Chrysler + Fiat: Yes, please!
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The most exciting thing about the Chrysler / Fiat global alliance to us Americans is the possibility of having cool, funky, little Italian cars zipping around our overly-wide streets. And Fiat certainly has no shortage of those. Ideally, these cars would come over almost completely unchanged, save for maybe some crash reg mods beneath the surface, but that’s probably a fantasy, since Chrysler would almost certainly want to rebrand everything and put their ugly, huge, 4-compartment nose on these cars, ruining them in the process. In any event, here’s a quick list of what of Fiat’s I’d want to see on the streets of the good ol’ U.S. of A. Preferably, these would come over as-is, whether that be with manual transmissions or diesel engines, but history has shown that they might first need to be fitted with auto boxes, more cupholders and GPS touchscreens before Americans would embrace them. Hit the clicky thingie for the list…
500 Abarth
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First and foremost is the 500 Abarth which not only looks amazingly cool but is also supposedly a blast to drive, if the guys at Top Gear are to be believed. It did, after all, make their 10 Best cars list. Small, light, zippy and Italian. That’s what I’m talking about.
500
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Sure the 500 Abarth is the cool one, but the plain ol’ 500 still has plenty of awesomeness go to around. While not as spritely as its scorpion-encrusted counterpart, the 500 still oozes with small-scale Italian retro charm.
Grande Punto 3 Door
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While I would certainly think a name change might be in order – if you can get Americans to buy a Fiat, that’s one thing, but a Fiat named “Punto”?! – the Grande Punto 3-door is a cool addition to the stable of smallish hatches that look fun to drive.
Multipla
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If you think this is an odd looking vehicle, you should’ve seen the ones before it (yipes!). But take a close look at that interior shot…yes, there are three identical seats per row there, for a super-funky 3+3 configuration.
Panda 4×4
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Sure, there are smallish AWD vehicles available here already, but there’s something retro-nifty about this one. The unique interior and vaguely ’80s VW looks all combine for a sort of “Hmm” aesthetic that tips the scales just over to the side of “Yes!”
Bravo
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Fiat describe the Bravo as “Elegant with a strong personality” and, despite the fact that this is a relatively compact pseudo-wagon, I’d have to agree. There’s something kind of alluring about it’s wide-looking stance and dark, red-lit interior.
Qubo
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The Qubo is all about crazy, geometric angles with a softness that won’t turn off Mom from the idea driving the kids around in this thing. Somehow lovable looking, the Qubo features twin rear sliding doors and unmistakable looks.
November 22nd, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Yep definately the 500 cabrio version. I also would like to replace my Honda Element with the Qubo. Right now the only decent alternative is the Ford Transit, which remains more utilitaran in the interior than I woould like.