Test drive Fiat 500 since 2007 hatchback

Fiat 500

The main question that arises at the sight of Fiat 500: how is it, so small and funny, managed to become a 2007 car?
First of all, let's resolutely discard the sentimental ahi and ohi, which are sealing the two -faced West about the appearance of this car. Yes, the machine is pretty, but to name Fiat 500 irresistible, as one authoritative British edition has done, to be honest, the language does not turn. The chrome pen on the back door, similar to the lamp for the numbers of the old Fiat 500, which, in turn, resembled the saddle of the bicycle, all this, of course, is very cute, but let the Italians drop the mean male tear in the glass of Chianty at the sight of a new chinkuecheno. Their eyes will be covered with a memory of the past youth. But we see that we are just in front of us, an updated Italian Cossack with a funny muzzle and kurguis forms.
By the way, when in the mid-50s of Dante Jacosus (another immortal Dante?) He painted the same, the original Chinkuecheno, he was forced to deliberately cut the stern so that the 500th would not compete with volumes with a more expensive fiat 600. So random solutions become historical . And how many problems the authors of the new Fiat 500 created these branded roundness!
In the original model, a 2-cylinder air cooling engine with power (scary to think!) 13 hp. It was placed in a small ass. Modern engineers had to deal with much larger units, and they had to place them in the usual place in front of the driver. Despite the fact that the new five hundred is significantly surpassed in the size of the old (length 3.54 m against 2.97 m), the designers had to sweat a lot in order to maintain historical proportions. In addition, rounded shapes create lifting force. And if for the old Fiat 500 this did not matter much, then the new accelerates well for 150 km/h. So I had to break my head over aerodynamics. And why all these torment? Is it really in the name of written beauty? One famous German magazine recognized Fiat 500 the most beautiful car of the year. Perhaps in the opinion of the Germans this is so. Dr. Freud is a judge. Something subconscious is clearly hiding behind all this.
Let's analyze this
Liberation reviews and awards rained down on Fiat 500 from all sides. And in the end, the jury of 58 masters of world automobile journalism recognized him the best. What to take from them except psychoanalysis?
I must admit that from an engineering point of view, the new Fiat 500 is really an outstanding achievement. This is indicated, for example, five stars according to the results of the EURONCAP Crash test. A strong design, seven airbags in the database and a complete set of electronic assistants is a new standard in its class. But, perhaps, the clue for this laureanism is that our baby is really somehow amazingly rides?
The car is offered with three engines: a 1.3-liter Multijet diesel with a capacity of 75 hp. and two gasoline engines with a 69-horsepower volume of 1.2 liters and a 100-horsepower 1.4-liter. It is clear that we are primarily interested in the gasoline versions that will appear in Russia in the spring.
In combination with low weight and modest dimensions from Fiat 500, a small city racer was supposed to be obtained. So he became, although, to be honest, the equipped mass of 930 kg and the 100-horsepower engine of the top version subconsciously tuned us to get to know almost with a pocket hurricane like Lotus. But Chinkuecheno did not stun with a riot. (Lovers should think about a tuned version of Abarth with a turbocharged engine). There are several reasons for this. One of them is compliance not only with the current, but also the future Euro 5 standards. The electronic gas pedal reacts to the bend, only thoroughly thinking about the consequences of each next environment for the environment. Secondly, this engine is really aggressive only behind the mark of 4,500 rpm. By the way, against this background, a 1.2-liter motor will not seem inferior. Yes, with him the five -hundredth less cut, but pleases with zeal at lower speeds.
As a result, Chinkuecheno made an almost more pleasant impression on the suburban highway, where it was possible to put pressure on the gas. True, in the cabin it becomes quite noisy, but the stability of behavior on the road pleasantly surprised. The speeds in the region of 150 km/h do not cause the slightest voltage. At five hundred, it is quite possible to go on a long journey.
The electric power, as always, is somewhat dulling the living feeling of the steering wheel, but not its responsiveness. Fiat 500 is controlled clearly and pleasant. The power of the steering wheel increases when the Sport button is pressed. The rolls in corners, of course, are noticeable. Fiat 500 was created on the basis of Panda. Mcphereson rack suspension in front and a semi -dependent torsion beam behind. It is worth noting excellent adhesion of the wheels placed at the corners of the body. But most importantly, you quickly forget that you are in a minibus. There is no feeling of prematureness, which often occurs in the cabin of classmates. And then, having mastered and feeling that there are no problems, in fact, you notice that your lips begin to creep into a stupid smile.
Smile, you are not an American!
As you know, an automatic transmission is more suitable for the city. And it will appear for gasoline versions in the form of a 5-speed robotic gearbox. The robot will be with many smart beliefs like the ability to automatically switch to neutral with an open door or the ability to determine the slope of the road and change, depending on this, the moment of switching.
In the meantime, we have at our disposal only the manual transmission: 5-speed for a 1.2-liter motor and 6-speed for a 1.4-liter. The clarity of switching can be noted. The convenience of the lever is also pleased: it is right at hand, almost on the central console. In general, it is the interior of the Fiat 500 that looks like its main advantage. For the driver and the front passenger in comfort and space, there is no difference between Fiat 500 and the usual family sedan. For the rear passengers, there are not so many places, but two adults will fit without much inconvenience. Folding rear seats increase the volume of the trunk from 185 to 550 liters.
The presentation of the new Fiat 500 took place exactly 50 years after the debut of the authentic chinkuecheno, on the same day, July 4, in the same place in Turin. This ceremony, according to many, overshadowed the opening of the XX Winter Olympiad, which took place in this city in 2006. It was impressive. But a large -scale presentation is only part of the grandiose plan.
More than 3 million people through the Internet introduced their proposals to this project. Everything is provided to satisfy the most demanding tastes. Three engines, four sets of configuration, 12 colors (including six historical and three -layer white), 15 types of upholstery of the passenger compartment (including the skin), nine types of wheels, an electric dealer of spirits with three aromas, aluminum pedals, iPod, USB connector, wireless connection of the phone , removable navigation system from Magneti Marelli, a new type of audio system, specially designed for this model, panoramic roof, climate control, various stickers for sides, roof and hood (for example, Italian tricolor or checkered flag), a set of chrome elements of the exterior, funny cover With the old Fiat 500 painted on it, multi -colored keychairs for keys and many other 549946 design options!
Really outstanding this car does not make its appearance and ergonomics, but the emotions that the stay in it. Even lost on the streets of Milan, we experienced only bouts of fun. It’s not clear where, but the mood is still good. Have we come to the point? Take your time. How many cars are a smile causing their appearance?
Do not save on feelings
In 1999, economists Joseph Payne and James Gilmore published a book Economics of impressions, where they proved that three stages of development of the world economy of raw materials, commodity and services of services are currently coming to the fourth phase of impressions economics. It became difficult for marketers to explain to people why they should buy the one, and not another product. Especially if it is more expensive than another. Hence the conclusion: the product should become your friend. It is necessary to produce emotions, not products. Fiat 500 is precisely such a product-dump.
And you do not need to think that this is only a cheap trick of soulless managers playing human feelings. The economy should develop. We all remember how the era of stagnation for Russia ended. Breaking. It will end the same for the whole world. If it comes. The new Fiat 500 evidence that the economy is looking for and finding new, modern development paths. Do you want a global economic crisis, total impoverishment and, as a result, war? We are not. Therefore, we applaud Fiat 500 not so much as a car, but as a modern economic project. Bravo, Italy! God grant that the attempt to succeed. It will turn out with them, it will turn out with us. Someday. Of the world industries, there are probably no problems, only Indian cinema has the ideal of the economy of feelings that are not spoiled by glimpse of thought. Everything else is small and large business, religious movements and scientific schools, large and small states are in continuous development, therefore in a continuous crisis. Each new president for the country, every new model for a car company is not just another news, but an attempt to survive. Fiat 500 proves that this can be done beautifully. Dot? Oh no. This project is too interesting in terms of psychoanalysis.
Nostalgia is Italian
Obviously, all the centers around the pretty chinkuechen is clearly traced the calculation for a good young lady. But the economy is just a real fabric of culture. That it is not for sale not art! It is very important what culture is made of. It is made of an old car.
Remember Tarkovsky Nostalgia? The film takes place in Italy, a bright and sunny country, but the film is gloomy. Because he is not about Italy, but about us, forever suffering about the country that we have lost. And we continue to lose. Each new generation abandons its fathers. This happens everywhere. The world is growing, and old clothes crack at the seams. But in Russia, the seams are stronger than fabric. A small and funny fiat 500 is a nostalgia in Italian, funny and bright, like this country itself. This is a culture that we lack. And this is not funny.
Parameter/car Fiat 500 1.2 fiat 500 1.4
Max. Power, L.S. 65/5500 100/6000
Max. Moment, NM 102/3000 131/4250
Max. Speed, km/h 160 182
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with 12.9 10.5
Dimensions, mm 3546x1627x1488 3546x1627x1488
Benzine engine L4 gasoline engine L4
Base, mm 2300 2300
Trunk volume, l 185 185
Diameter of the turn, m 9.2 10.6
Equipped mass, kg 865 930
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 1242 1368
Mechanical transmission 5-speed mechanical 6-speed
Front front drive
Yan Segal, Leonid Sitnik
Photo by Yana Segal
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine