Auto News & New car review

Fiat has just announced prices of its new Euro 5-compliant Bravo 1.6 16v MultiJet.

With a starting price of just £13,595 OTR for the Active 1.6 16v MultiJet 105 model, the newly-extended range saves even more money, with fuel economy of up to 62.7mpg on the combined cycle, and low CO2 emissions, starting at an impressive 119g/km.
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I’m piloting a vehicle with a mid-mounted engine coupled to a close ratio transmission. The steering feel transmitted through the chunky helm is sublime, matching Bimmers of yore. Wearing a maniacal grin, I [hypothetically] pitch my whip into a corner at an [allegedly] injudicious speed, listening to the engine, passengers and tires scream. As I clip the apex, I punch the throttle. The powerplant howls as the chassis adopts hooligan-induced oversteer. I saw at the wheel, maintaining a sideways slide. Audi RS4? Chevrolet Corvette? Nope. I’m driving a tall, skinny, eight-passenger Nissan Urvan. Read the rest of this entry »

Nestled between designer-edition Bugattis, drop-dead drop-top Alfas and suped-up Maseratis, it’d have been all too easy to miss something as small as the new 500 Abarth. But that would’ve been a big mistake, because the scorpion-emblazoned, hot little retro number is one of the most compelling sports models on display at this year’s Geneva show.

This version packs a 135hp turbo four – not exactly Veyron-beating power, but promises to be plenty to shoot the turbocharged mini-fridge around every corner in Rome like a carnival ride. Plus the Fiat performance division from its new factory in Turin is working up a 160hp kit that also kicks the visuals up a notch, but as you can see in the gallery below, the scorpion’s venom is already thoroughly laced with grappa. Press release after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »