RobiNZ Personal Blog

Did Saab design compromise the Alfa 159?

Autoblog reckon Alfa Romeo are working on a new 159 and it's Saab's fault... 

Poor sales mean Alfa 159 replacement coming soon with U.S. in sight - Autoblog

"The main reason attributed to the 159's poor market performance has been its dynamic performance, inhibited by an overweight chassis designed by Saab during Fiat's partnership with GM."

Fiat 500 Abarth, the peoples supercar!

The Telegraph review is good, I wonder how long before we get these in New Zealand? 

Fiat 500 Abarth: supercar for the people - Telegraph

The Abarth is a lot of stylish fun and, for most folk, an attainable dream, even with a recession looming. A democratised supercar, then - an idea you've just got to love. Avanti Abarth!

Lancia may return to New Zealand?

 Lancia may return to Australia - theage.com.au
Quirky Italian car maker Lancia is considering a return to Australia after an absence of more than 20 years.

Since Ateco represent Fiat Auto in Aus/NZ I presume if Aussie happens we’ll also see Lancia back in NZ in 2010?

When I think of Lancia it’s 70’s classics  – like the Beta HPE, Beta & Gamma Coupe – and the 80’s Delta which come to mind. As Lancia dissolved in a pile of rust and abandoned RHD markets shortly after it’s those memories which linger. New Zealand hasn’t seen a new Lancia for decades but you do see the occasional survivor. I particularly remember following a trio of Delta Integrales near Hamilton a few years ago. To see one is rare, three at the same time just amazing!

The line from the article that floored me was:

[Lancia boss Olivier Francois] ..who has told journalists he wants Lancia to be “Italy’s answer to Lexus”  

Given the current range, warmed over Fiat platforms with odd styling, he’s got one heck of a job ahead of him. Lexus had the advantage of starting from a clean slate not the mixed Lancia legacy of classic (but lately just odd) design, motorsport credibility and appalling quality.

It’s likely to be the new Delta we see first which is, as I’ve said before, elegantly odd rather than a classic beauty. It would be nice to see Lancia return but with Fiat Auto sales counted in the hundreds (239 Fiat (the 500 will boost that in 08) , 516 Alfa Romeo, 32 Ferrari in 2007) wouldn’t the money be better invested in the current brands rather than adding another one?

UPDATE 2008–07–28: There’s a great Lancia Delta Integrale review in NZ Classic Car

Tags: lancia, ateco

Fiat [Tata] Nano?

The Nano is great but I think this would be a big mistake for Fiat.

To me Fiat = great little cars so to slap a badge on the Nano is akin to saying “We can’t do what we do best”

Tata Nano may be branded a Fiat in overseas markets - Autoblog

Tags: nano

Montezemolo's Ferrari

The Telegraph have a great profile of Ferrari (& Fiat) Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo as momentum builds for the launch of the “affordable” Ferrari California. Apart from some dubious styling, the 612, and occasionally tacky merchandising Ferrari are on form thanks to his leadership.

No stopping Ferrari - Telegraph
Ferrari's chairman has overseen a resurgence in the famous marque, and he is far from finished, reports Russell Hotten…

Tags: Ferrari

Lucire’s Car to Be Seen in for 2008 - Fiat 500

While there are many more powerful, expensive, bigger and (to be honest) better value cars out there it’s the new Fiat 500 which takes the “Lucire Car to be seen in” prize this year. I  saw a preview of this announcement a few weeks ago, thanks Jack, but it’s now on the Lucire site.

I’ve had a good look at, but not yet driven, the 500 and it’s styling is a remarkable homage to the original. It’s bigger, to fit all today’s “essential” toys and larger people!, but not grossly oversized like the new “Mini” .

It’s also an expensive, comparatively, lifestyle statement rather than the simple budget transport it’s predecessor was. I think that’s a pity but future twin cylinder editions may be closer to the original in spirit, and sound, rather than just style. There is also a possibility Fiat will do a more radical small car. Maybe that’s why they’ve saved the name Topolino.

The 500 is a neat machine and, as the price of petrol skyrockets, it’s nice to have a stylish, small, economical car with a sense of style. It’s one which I’d be happy to be seen in!

The Fiat 500 is Lucire’s Car to Be Seen in for 2008 – Lucire – The global fashion magazine
“The year’s most classless car, appealing to every segment” says Jack Yan..

Related posts:

• Finding the Car to Be Seen in 2008 - www.lucire.com
• Car to Be Seen in 2007 - www.lucire.com

500 picnic photo credit: Fiat New Zealand

Tags: lucire, Fiat+500

Top Gear - Jeremy and the Boadicea’ed Fiat Coupe

I watched the latest Top Gear, don’t ask HowTube, even though it’s months/years away from screening in New Zealand (as I write we’re just getting the 2007 series).

I must admit that Jeremy’s treatment of the Fiat Coupe made me wince. They are old cars and, given the price, it must have been tired but the Fiat Coupe still appeals to me. The brutal sequence where he “Boadicea’ed” the BMW was funny but it hurt in a way the Allegro reverse jump crash didn't!*

There aren’t many Fiat Coupes in New Zealand, not many made it here, so those that remain seem to be holding their value. I suspect it will be like the ‘70’s 124. A good one, again rare, has been about $6–9,000 for as long as I can remember.

It was a great show to kick off the new season. I hope Prime don’t stuff around for a year before this series screens here…

* Was that flying wheel as dangerous as it looked?

Tags: Top+Gear

Italdesign @ 33

Automotive.com have a great article celebrating Italdesign’s 33^rd Anniversary. They feature a range of concept and production cars, both exotic and everyday. Italdesign excelled at both, two of which you can see in my photo below!

The mighty Uno, it’s my 45s, applied the sit up high seating position to achieve more passenger space in a small car. It’s clean simple shape, aerodynamic though boxy, was little changed from it’s release in the 80’s to the mid 90’s yet has aged well. The Lotus Esprit, seen in the background, is surely every boys super car dream sketch made real. Happy Anniversary Italdesign!

Italdesign Giugiaro | European Car Magazine Article at Automotive.com
Thirty years marks a generation. For most of us, that's how long it takes just to grow up, tame our wild oats, settle down and start doing something productive. Few of us make much of a mark in so little time. Giorgio Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani, on the other hand, have made an indelible mark on our automotive generation--first separately, then together as Italdesign, all in the 33 years since the company was born in 1968…

Tags: italdesign

Sergio Marchionne, Fiat, on the Global Finance Crisis

Sergio Marchionne’s views are well worth reading. 

Truthdig - Reports - Fiat Chief on the Global Finance Crisis

Ford Ferrari, what would it have been like?

MotorTrend pose this question and speculate on how it would have changed history. I doubt Ferrari would be the jewel it is with the US Accountants in charge.

While Ford manufacturing muscle helped Jaguar the bizarre marketing and financial restrictions (in terms of product development not subsidising operating loss) show how Ford could have killed Ferrari. Fiat itself had a close escape from GM smothering and a commitment to developing good, Italian, product is paying dividends (literally).

Motor Trend speculate there may even have been a Ferrari Mustang. While Fiat have come close to that sort of brand bastardisation*, the Schumacher Stilo  or Lancia Thema 8.32, they’ve had the sense to let Ferrari be Ferrari.

What if Ford had bought Ferrari? | Car News Blog at Motor Trend

* Some of the tacky Ferrari merchandise is another matter

The Bravo HGT time warp - from the Web wayback machine

I found this, admittedly PR, description from the Fiat NZ website in 2000 thanks to the Wayback Machine Web Archive.

http://web.archive.org/web/20001204161700/http://www.fiat.co.nz/

FIAT BRAVO HGT GETS LUXURY TOUCH

The hot hatch scene is about to get a luxury shock. While most hot hatches are merely standard hatches with larger engines, the Fiat Bravo HGT features all the bells and whistles you would expect in a luxury car.

Full leather interior, air conditioning, dual and side airbags, power windows, and remote central locking with alarm are all standard on the HGT. But don't make the mistake that the Bravo HGT has gone soft, for between the wider than standard front wheel arches lies the naturally aspirated 2.0 litre 20 valve engine from the Fiat Coupe 20V, introduced in New Zealand in 1997.

Also standard on the Bravo HGT are unique front and rear bumpers, side skirts, 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 tyres, up-rated chassis, and sports suspension.

The engine develops a healthy 113kW of power, but it's the five-cylinder layout that gives the Bravo HGT such impressive mid range torque. The run from 0 to 100km/h takes just 8.5 seconds, and - well away from public roads - top speed is 210km/h.

The advantages of the five-cylinder engine include six-cylinder power and response, with 2.0 litre fuel economy. The flexible character of the engine makes the Bravo HGT a comfortable companion trickling through heavy traffic as well as an enthusiastic partner when tacking challenging open road corners.

The engine features variable valve timing on the intake camshaft for a smoother torque curve and counter rotating balancer shaft for extra smooth running.

In line with the extra power available, the uprated brake system includes discs measuring 284mm (ventilated) at the front end, with 240mm (solid) at the rear. Standard ABS is a four-sensor ITT-Teves type, with in-built electronics.

Steering has also received attention, with an increase in servo ratio from 4.2Nm to 5.2Nm, and the Bravo's usual three turns lock to lock has been reduced to 2.9 turns.

In terms of safety, the Bravo HGT is impressively equipped. ABS brakes, dual and side airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, side impact beams, anti-submarining seats, controlled deformation cell surrounding a passenger survival cell, and Fiat's fire prevention system (which shuts of fuel supply in the event of an accident) are all standard.

Safety against theft has not been forgotten. In common with all current Fiat models, the HGT is fitted as standard with the Fiat CODE immobiliser, which goes into operation the second the key is removed from the ignition. A code electronically stored in both key and ignition barrel is checked for compatibility. Without the key it is impossible to start the car.

Hotwiring is impossible, unless the thief has the correct electronic combination selected from such a huge number of such combinations that the thief would have better luck winning Lotto and buying a new car instead...

The price of the new Fiat Bravo HGT will be $39,990 plus on road costs. Options will include a CD stacker. The HGT goes on sale towards the end of July.

Note: The photos are mine from 2008!

Fiat Design, Thanks to Pulse...

While I have many CAD/BIM/Design RSS feeds in my reader it’s always good to find new ones. In this case I found Car Body Design.com via Franco’s “Novedge Pulse” aggregator.

It has some brilliant “behind the scenes” stories on Auto design, including the tiny Fiat Phylla concept

 Car Body Design.com - Fiat Phylla Concept

The HGT vs Ferrari F1...

Fiat Bravo vs. Ferrari 550 Maranello vs. Ferrari F1 (96)

Finally...

My Niece’s response to me getting a new(er), than a 1992 Uno, car:

FINALLY!

I've started a "My Cars" collection on Flickr for images which, in any way, feature the Fiats of my life. I’ve never owned any other brand!

Will have to dig out some old pre-digital images for the mighty 127 & 128!

The Lancia Delta 2008, elegantly odd?

When I think of Lancia it’s 70’s classics  – like the HPE, Beta & Gamma Coupe – and the 80’s Delta which come to mind. As Lancia dissolved in a pile of rust and abandoned RHD markets shortly after it’s those memories which linger. Since then they’ve done niche,by world standards, and frankly odd looking cars which didn’t get to New Zealand.

Now they are coming back with a new Delta which, sadly, seems to be elegantly odd rather than a classic beauty.

Lancia Delta: all new details officially revealed - www.eurocarblog.com

Lancia Delta 2008 Wallpaper - www.eurocarblog.com

A Queens Birthday present for me

Fiat Bravo HGT 2.0
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

It's a long weekend to celebrate the Queens Birthday but I got myself a present.

In these days of peak oil, downsizing and economy driving I get a car with TWICE the capacity and more than THREE times the HP of it's predecessor....

Mind you since that had only 1.0 litre/45hp it's not so bad. The 1 Litre Ferrari has been replaced by a 2 Litre one... a Fiat Bravo HGT.

There's more photos here

 

 

Fiat Grande Punto Art

Fiat Grande Punto TV Boy
Originally uploaded by FIAT Auto

The mighty Uno could do with a paint job, maybe I could just go mad with masking tape & a spray gun!

It would end up far less artistic, and a bit boxier looking, than this cool Punto.

The Fiat Street Art Photo Set shows how they did it.

250,001 km in a Fiat Uno 45S

250,001km in an Uno
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

I thought I'd blogged this back in January but it seems not.

On January 15, 2008 I stopped in the usual park at work only to notice the odometer had ticked over to 250,001 km.

Maybe I'll make 300,000 km?

 

John Elkann to become czar of Fiat dynasty

The Vice-Chairman gets a promotion: 

John Elkann to become czar of Fiat dynasty - The Peninsula
The Agnelli dynasty will crown the new czar of the Fiat automotive empire tomorrow when John Elkann, scion of the family known as “Italy’s Kennedys,” takes over at the tender age of 32…

David Linklater drives the Fiat 500 in New Zealand

It’s here, well for those that pre-ordered… 

Fiat 500's cheeky looks belie ropey ride - New Zealand Herald
Good news: the early morning cycle crowd, seated at a cafe in one of Auckland's more fashionable suburbs, is abuzz talking about the Fiat 500 that's parked at the kerb…

Tags: 500

Back from the brink, can the US Big Three learn from Fiat?

While Fiat still have some big challenges it’s hard to believe how far they’ve come. Four years ago it was such a basket case GM paid good money to extract itself from a takeover deal. Now Fiat are riding a boom based on little cars that Fiat do so well.

Their main challenges are getting Alfa Romeo profitable, sorting out Lancia and getting back to the US market – if that’s needed – but they now have the money to do it.

This article is a good overview of how Sergio Marchione led a remarkable turnaround.

Strong leader proves Fiat was not beyond repair :: News :: PIONEER PRESS :: Lake Forester
What can Alan Mulally, Bob Nardelli, and Rick Wagoner learn from Sergio Marchione?

The Uno lives, another six months...

 It’s the six monthly Warrant Of Fitness, road worthiness inspection, time again. Seems like just last month when I got the last one! Where did the last six months go?

It was quite busy, and a nice day, so I sat outside near where the verdict is delivered. I was actually expecting them to find something and noted other car faults while I waited;

• ABS light on – Well that won’t happen to a non ABS’ed Uno


• Tyre problems – Plenty on the mighty Yokohamas so no worries there


• Jammed or wonky electric window and central locking? – No electric windows, no central locking


• Steering joint – The bushes are a bit creaky but alignment etc seems OK so maybe…


• Rust – H’mmm thats apparent is the bottom of the passenger door but…

Then out it comes, the inspector jumps out checklist in hand… oh dear… then turns and starts scraping off the old WOF sticker!

The Mighty Uno got through with no problems. Barring accidents (or Lotto wins), seems I’ll be pedalling it for another six months…

Try out the Grande Punto Abarth 'esseesse' in Rimini

An email arrived: “Try out the Grande Punto Abarth 'esseesse' in Rimini”

Finally, I thought, Fiat have found about this little Kiwi Fiat blog and invited me to test drive an Abarth… maybe even in Italy!

But no it was just, a list mail-out, referring to this post on on the Fiat Abarth “Scorpion Blog”

Sale in cattedra un prof d'eccezione: Sandro Munari e la Abarth Driving School

Tags: abarth, esseesse

Fiat 500 2008 for sale in New Zealand already? (on TradeMe)

With the new Fiat 500 still weeks away in New Zealand someone has put theirs on TradeMe.co.nz. On Monday I passed by Ateco (Fiat NZ), while on a cycle ride, to see if they had a 500. It was a public holiday so they were closed but there was no sign of the 500 in the showroom. The reality that you can get a 5 door 1.4 T-JET Bravo for about the same money ($36,990 list) or a 1.9 Grande Punto Sport for less ($33,990 list) makes me wonder about the “relative value” of the 500. Less is more, or style costs?

Fiat 500 2008 for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand
Well the first ones are nearly here so i am offering mine for sale as there are no new ones available for a few months...

Fiat buys former Chrysler (before that Daimler Chrysler/BMW) powertrain plant

Fiat add to their South American capacity. Not really surprising when Brazil is their second largest market!

Fiat buys Chrysler powertrain plant in Brazil - AutoWeek Magazine
Chrysler LLC said on Wednesday that it sold its Brazil-based engine plant, Tritec Motors Ltda., to Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

Fiat wows them, and floors them, in London

Fiat arrive in London with a flagship store, and people fall over at the sight of a 500!

Fiat's new flagship store in London had a reason to party - AutoblogGreen
Fiat, maker of the cutesiest bit of neo-retro ever (the 500, pictured above) threw a party to mark the opening of their new flagship store in London's West End

Fiat 500 1.3 MJ Lounge - Top Gear
Ouch. I'm driving through central London in the evening rush hour, and a man in a smart suit has just tripped over a kerb and landed on his face. That's what happens if you stare at the Fiat 500 instead of looking where you're going, sir.

Alfa Romeo Mito, no it's Mi.To, why not Alfasud?

 It’s the Mito, no it’s actually the Mi.To!, supposedly from Milano + Torino, but I reckon this little Alfa should have revived the Alfasud name. It’s not from the South but it’s the name I associate with little Alfa hatches and surely we are past the “I can hear it rusting” jokes of the late ‘70’s.

Alfa Romeo Mito: ci siamo quasi ? - AutoBlog.it

Fiat's little 500 grows up - Is this the real 500 Abarth?

Fiat’s new baby, gets teeth!

I suspect this re-invention of a classic is going to cost more than nz$37,000 but will be a hoot it will be to drive. For a proper look click through to CarScoop

2009 Fiat 500 Abarth – Official Images!

UPDATE 20-02-2008: It is the real thing!

Fiat sale to GM shock!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Was the reaction when I saw this headline in my feedreader, then I saw the date. Phew, but why did it just show up today?

Fiat set to axe 8000 as sale to GM looms - Edinburgh Evening News
Published Date: 07 October 2002
FIAT Auto, the Italian car maker, is preparing to axe up to 8000 jobs amid growing fears the firm will be sold to US giant General Motors.

Spend $37k, Create your own Fiat 500!

Having spec’ed a 500 I got to $36,990.Quite a lot of money for a little Fiat! 

Create your own Fiat 500! - Fiat NZ
As you build your Fiat 500 your choices will be displayed along with the cost of the car….

1.4 16v 75kW Lounge

Manual

Pasodoble Red

Red leather, black interior

16" Hot Alloy Wheel

Sky Dome opening sunroof

Luxury pack is standard with Lounge

Chrome kit is standard with Lounge

Price so far: $36,990

Return of the Scorpion - The Abarth Grande Punto in the UK

The Abarth Grande Punto arrives in Britain, soon to be seen in New Zealand, and seems to be making a good impression.

Fiat Grande Punto Abarth: Return of the Scorpion - Telegraph
Tony Dron drives the sporty new Abarth versions of Fiat's Grande Punto

Fiat Grande Punto Abarth - Car Magazine UK
Abarth?
Am I right in thinking the last time I saw that name it was on a Fiat Stilo?
Wash your mouth out! We don’t talk about that. Abarth has now been launched as a new brand in the Fiat stable, alongside the likes of Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Fiat…

FIAT to buy GM RWD Platforms?

There was talk of Fiat doing deals with Jaguar, Tata Jaguar or buying Jaguar to get a RWD platform for Alfa Romeo. If you can believe Autobild they may be turning to GM’s Sigma platform. An independent Fiat buying GM hardware with money made from a GM financed revival, who’d have thought a few years ago! 

FIAT Buys Cadillac’s Sigma Platform | The Truth About Cars
According to Autobild (print edition, Jan 25), Alfa Romeo will re-engineer almost all of its models from front wheel to rear wheel-drive (RWD). Since the FIAT conglomerate has practically no usable RWD platforms…

New Zealand, the Fiat 500 model range & pricing is out!

Fiat New Zealand have released the model range and price details for the Fiat 500 three months ahead of it’s release.

Prices start at a recommended retail price of $26,990 for the Fiat 500 Pop 1.2 and range through nine versions to the range topping Fiat 500 Lounge 1.4 Dualogic at an RRP of $33,990.

While it’s about what I was expecting it seems a little bit expensive compared to the Grande Punto. For comparison a Grande Punto 3 dr 1.4L Dynamic (Manual) is $22,990, a Grande Punto 5 dr 1.9L Sport Diesel is $31,990. Does that mean the Abarth 500, when it arrives, will be up around $35–40,000?

So, what is the trade in value of a ‘93 Fiat Uno 45s with just over 250,000km on the clock? Best not think about that 

Order now if you want the cutest car in 2008! | Fiat 500 News 2008

Fiat issues pricing and specifications for the new Fiat 500 three months ahead of first cars to meet unprecedented demand and so owners can tailor their cars to their own specifications.

"There can be little doubt, given the demand we are already facing, that the new Fiat 500 will be the most sought-after car in 2008," says Lawrie Malatios.

"Demand in Europe means that there will be little opportunity to expand our allocation, so anyone wanting a 500 in 2008 needs to visit our website or their local Fiat dealer as soon as possible!"

Tags: Fiiat+500

Felipe Massa joins Schumacher, Alesi in the Ferrari Fiat 500 Club

Felipe Massa has a been presented with very special Fiat 500 Turbo. I remember remember reading Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi also owned 500’s but theirs were the, slower, 1950’s Nuova 500. I wonder if this is really an upcoming Fiat Abarth 500 in plain clothes?

Fastest Fiat 500 for Felipe Massa | Fiat 500 News 2008

Should you come across Ferrari Formula One Driver, Felipe Massa, driving his new Fiat 500 don’t be tempted to take him on because not only is the talented Brazilian one of the fastest drivers around but also because his 500 is rather special – it’s the most powerful 500 that Fiat have ever made..

Image source Fiat NZ

Five Star Verdict for the Fiat 500

Verdict on Cars rate the new Fiat 500 

Fiat 500 road test, specification - Verdict On Cars
Fiat's got the basics of its modern Cinquecento absolutely right - it earns a rare five stars.

The Truth About; the Fiat Grande Punto and the USA

Do Americans need a Fiat Grande Punto? The Truth About Cars think they might.

2008 Fiat Grande Punto Review | The Truth About Cars
Despite the word “Grande,” the Punto is 158 inches long– a little longer than the ten foot pole with which most American Camry drivers wouldn’t touch an Italian car.

Tata Nano, it doesn't need power steering or electric windows!

Tata seemed to pulled off a remarkable feat creating a small, efficient, relatively safe (certainly compared to a moped) and cheap ($2500) car - the Tata Nano.

So why did New Zealand TV news seem obsessed with the need to report that didn’t have electric windows or power steering? Maybe lazy reporters can’t comprehend winding up a window with muscle power (it’s really possible) or realise that a small light rear engined car does not need power steering.

As much as I like the 2007 Fiat 500 I think Tata’s Nano is a more honest modern realisation of Dante Giacosa's diminutive 1957 Nuova 500.

Tata’s goal, like Giacosa, is to mobilise a nation as efficiently as possible. Mobility gives choice, choice gives freedom. You might argue that but I’d first suggest reading  Drive On! : A Social History of the Motor Car by LJK. Setright.

Extract from “A Preamble”, Drive On!  LJK. Setright
"We need a book to show us - especially those of us too young to remember - what good and evil things have been done to, with, for, and by, the motor car. I would like this to be a book that the enthusiast for motoring can read with pleasure, the critic with growing understanding, the historian with some surprise, and the scholar with satisfaction."

If the Nano succeeds Tata will change economies and societies. The call to deny people that opportunity is usually made by those who already benefit from it. How can I deny someone personal mobility, when I own a car.

Tata launch YouTube found via www.autoblog.it, price comparison image viaTata

Tags: Tata+Nano, Fiat+500, Nuova+500, Dante+Giacosa

Fiat and Alfa at CES?

Fiat take their little 500 and it’s Blue&Me, Microsoft based, software to Vegas for CES! 

Fiat and Alfa on display in the USA | Fiat New Zealand
The new Fiat 500 and the Alfa Romeo Spider make their USA debut this week (7-10 January 2008) at one of the world’s largest and most important exhibitions, but its not the Detroit International Motor Show, rather the Italians have gone to Las Vegas to take part in the 31st Consumer Electronics Show, the world’s largest electronics show with 2,700 exhibitors and 140,000 visitors walking through 1.8 million square metres of the newest and most advanced technology.

Bertone Sold, Bertone Saved?

I’ve long had a fondness for Bertone: the Italian Design Studio & Coachbuilder. I’m not sure when I discovered who designed those brilliant cars from the 70’s like the Lamborghini Urraco, Lancia Stratos and Fiat X1/9 but thats only a few from their legendary past. Not all Bertone cars were great, look at the Volvo 262, but there were more hits than misses and often a Bertone concept set the theme for an era, the Lamborghini Countach, or brand. Consider the 1970 Bertone BMW Garmisch 2002Ti concept which was the inspiration for the 70’s “E-12” BMW 5 Series. It established style elements which survived at BMW until the arrival of Chris Bangle. 

I recently found this old photo* snapped, when I was 11, on a family holiday in the Coromandel. A Ferrari [Dino] 308GT4 appeared in the driveway of the place next door and I was inspired by the styling and rare occasion of seeing a Ferrari “in the flesh” to capture it on film.

Many thought the 308GT4 an ugly duckling and it’s angular lines were certainly a radical departure from the curvy 60’s Pininfarina Dino 246GT  which preceded it. I think Marcello Gandini’s response to the challenge of enveloping a mid-engine four seater layout has aged well and regard it is a classic. The later Ferrari Mondial showed Pininfarina could do no better when faced with a similar task. What I didn’t realise, until researching this post, that our “family car” of the time, a Fiat 132, was also another Bertone/Gandini design.

I’m sure the 132, essentially Fiat’s Morris Marina, was a “pay the bills job” but thats something Bertone have been struggling with of late. They have been losing money, existing for several years with government support, and it appeared the end was nigh. Then, a few days ago, Gruppo Prototipo arrived like a knight in shining armour with a buy-out offer:

 Autocar - Gruppo Prototipo buys Bertone
Struggling Italian coachbuilder Bertone has found a buyer with days to spare before a bankruptcy court hearing that could have closed the iconic company after 95 years…

An icon saved? I hope thats how this story ends.

* The tint is the last remains of correcting a Viko print which had faded to a very 70’s bright orange!

Tags: Bertone, 308GT4, Ferrarii, Fiat+132, Fiat+x1/9

Lucire - Finding "The Car to Be Seen in" 2008...

Lucire waste their time considering other entries for “The car to be seen in” for 2008 when the answer is simple arithmetic:

499 + 1 = “The car to be seen in 2008” 

Lucire Living - Finding the Car to Be Seen in 2008 - The global fashion magazine
It’s that time of year again: Lucire announces its nominees for the eighth annual Car to Be Seen in

EARLY IN 2008, Lucire will choose its Car to Be Seen in for the year—a car that expresses the mood of the times for the woman who wants to be stylish and a step ahead of the rest. As with tradition, we run through our nominees for 2008 at the close of the year…

The Formula 1 "Spy Scandal" over? Yeah Right!

F1–Live quote Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari and Fiat President:

Ferrari remain bitter towards McLaren - F1-Live.com
"I'm convinced that at least the colours (of the Ferrari and McLaren 2008 cars) will be different. I don't expect a red McLaren"

Bravo, is "good" enough?

I saw a new Bravo in the flesh, metal?, first time while sitting at the lights outside Precision Automobiles the other night. It was wet so I didn’t stop for a closer look but, in the showroom lights, it certainly proved to have the looks. In a competitive market is that enough?

Daily Express: The World's Greatest Newspaper :: Motoring :: Brave try, shame about the boot
The Fiat Bravo T-Jet aims to bring the best of both worlds to the crowded hatchback market
There’s no doubt about it, Fiat has got an uphill task ahead with the new Bravo…

Fiat 500 - 2008 European Car of the Year

Fiat’s brilliant little ‘un takes the Euro COTY. It’s no guarantee that it’s a great car when you consider some of the previous title holders. It must have been a lean year that saw the Renault 9, 86 Granada, Opel Astra, even a Fiat Tipo win?

However beating the Mondeo, C-Class and Mazda 2 shows it’s a worthy title holder. 

Fiat 500 named 2008 European Car of the Year - Autoblog
Hot on the heels of the announced winner of EVO's Car of the Year award comes the revelation from the bigger European Car of the Year, which bestowed the citation for 2008 to the impossibly charming Fiat 500. While EVO's, like Motor Trend here, is awarded by one magazine

Fiat’s previous ECOTY winners include the 124, 128, 127, Uno, Tipo, Punto (1995), Bravo/Brava, Panda (2004),

Fiat's new 500 in Germany

  DER SPIEGEL on Fiat’s 500 arriving in Germany and it’s marketing line: “You are. We car." 

Fiat's Bambina Comes of Age: Carmakers Cash in on Nostalgia with Molto Retro - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News
“The Germans' famous love of all things Italian is partly due to the fact that the two nations have never really understood each other.”

“The shape of the new car closely mimics that of the original Fiat 500, which was first built in 1957. As the epitome of Mediterranean minimalist mobility, the Fiat 500 attained the status of automotive sainthood long ago.”

Kimi does it, or does he?

Brilliant race result and deserved title for “The Iceman”. He may be boring as hell in press conferences but the last half of the season shows Ferrari are getting their (Malboro’s?) money worth on the track. Let’s hope it’s not undone by the Williams/BMW/Sauber investigation.

It was a tough end to a tough year for McLaren and sad that a mechanical glitch, beyond his control, was the ultimate downfall for Louis Hamilton’s “rookie” year title. Will be fascinating to see what he achieves next year, and who he’s driving alongside…

Tassie Saab Blogger on the way to Detroit

Cool to see Tasmanian Saab Blogger Swade being invited to Detroit. With 2500+ posts and thousands of comments from Saab fans around the world it’s great to see him get corporate recognition and access usually reserved for “The Press”!

Thinks, must write some more Fiat posts 

(I think) the 9-4x is coming to Detroit - and so am I!!! - Trollhattan Saab
It’s been written in a few publications recently that the all-new Saab 9-4x SUV will be making it’s first public appearance at the NAIAS in Detroit, in January 2008.
I know that Saab will definitely have something new to show there, because they’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse - to come over to Detroit in January and cover it!!
Yes, it looks like I’ll be boarding a plane again in the pursuit of Saabiness…

Top Gear love the Fiat Punto Abarth

Punto + Abarth = Love?

Fiat Punto Abarth - Top Gear Blog
There are few things in motoring more appealing than a small, fast Italian car, and this new Grande Punto Abarth is one of the best ever…

Tags: Fiat+Punto+Abarth

Fiat Bravo, now available in New Zealand

David Linklater backgrounds the Fiat Bravo, which is now available in New Zealand

Forcefed Fiat gets family flavour - 15 Oct 2007 - Motoring News - New Zealand Herald
By David Linklater

“The Bravo seems like a lot of car for the money compared with the likes of the Toyota Corolla and the VW Golf. But will it sell?”

Tags: Fiat+Bravo, Fiat+New+Zealand

The Uno lives, will it make 250,000 km? - Progress Report

It’s the six monthly Warrant Of Fitness, road worthiness inspection, time again. Seems like just last month when I got the last one!

Where did the last six months go?

The Mighty Uno, now at 246,508 km, got through with no problems. Barring accidents (or Lotto wins), seems I’ll be pedalling it for another six months…

5th Gear on the Fiat 500

Via www.autoblog.it

Tags: 500