I've just got back from a quick trip to Italy, where my Lancia Epsilon Hertz hire car was upgraded to a 1.3 Multijet 5-door. I didn't get much use out of it, but as a Tipo owner I was interested to see what you get for 17 years of progress.
Looks very nice, but is a victim of the current, stupid "let's make the front of the car as long as possible" design craze. The "bumper" (i.e. fragile expensive painted plastic object) must be 5 feet in front of the steering wheel, the base of the screen 2 feet in front. Very bad visibility for parking etc. And if you reach into the car to get something of the front seat or between the seats you bang your head on the ridiculously low roofline. Really annoying, just like the first time I drove a Focus and banged my elbow on the door handle - completely spoiled the car for me.
Runs very nicely on the road, very economical and quiet. But no pull whatsoever going up hills in low gear unless you rev it! Nevertheless a very good little power unit.
Very hard plastics in the interior, good design and comfort. Seatbelt alarm also annoying, ditto handbrake alarm.
Didn't really like the lack of external boot opener, pressing the internal button gives a very tinny clunk as it opens.
Basically, as with most modern cars, I was not very impressed, it has no character or soul and my fairly quick impression was "well I wouldn't pay money for one". I can't imagine anyone getting attached to one, except maybe an Orange Sporting! Still I hope it's a success for Fiat, I'm sure the competition these days are equally as mixed in quality and appeal.
Looks very nice, but is a victim of the current, stupid "let's make the front of the car as long as possible" design craze. The "bumper" (i.e. fragile expensive painted plastic object) must be 5 feet in front of the steering wheel, the base of the screen 2 feet in front. Very bad visibility for parking etc. And if you reach into the car to get something of the front seat or between the seats you bang your head on the ridiculously low roofline. Really annoying, just like the first time I drove a Focus and banged my elbow on the door handle - completely spoiled the car for me.
Runs very nicely on the road, very economical and quiet. But no pull whatsoever going up hills in low gear unless you rev it! Nevertheless a very good little power unit.
Very hard plastics in the interior, good design and comfort. Seatbelt alarm also annoying, ditto handbrake alarm.
Didn't really like the lack of external boot opener, pressing the internal button gives a very tinny clunk as it opens.
Basically, as with most modern cars, I was not very impressed, it has no character or soul and my fairly quick impression was "well I wouldn't pay money for one". I can't imagine anyone getting attached to one, except maybe an Orange Sporting! Still I hope it's a success for Fiat, I'm sure the competition these days are equally as mixed in quality and appeal.
