When my HGT went home

[Roberto]

Hi guys,
In case u guys hadn't noticed, we've returned from our trip 2 Italy and i'm more than pleased 2 say that the drive there & back was safe, smooth and totally uneventful in terms of the HGT's performance.
Not a single hiccup or blip. It performed faultlessly.

Call me sentimental, or just plain daft, but I swear she performed better once we crossed the border in2 Italy ! And her performance on those snake like mountain passes was exquisite. The Abarth lowered springs really made it stick 2 the tarmac and corner beautifully.

With a Thule rack system and roof box full of luggage on 4 the journey there & back and 3 adults and a teenager on board, she still managed 2 hit 130mph on the Autostrada's and Autobahn's. Many a time I found myself cruising at 110-130 mph and it felt so smooth and quiet I was shocked 2 c my speed. The temp gauge never went above half way, even when driving round Rome with outside temperatures hitting 36 degrees. Even the fuel consumption seemed better.

So all in all, a successful trip, and a wonderful holiday. Good 2 b back and look 4ward 2 c'ing any of u who r coming 2 Donnington.

Laters,

Rob.

 

[Big Al]

Glad u had a gud hol mate. Seya at Donni

 

[patrick]

Curious

Wondered where you were, I thought the standard on this forum had improved..lol
Got a tan?

 

[Chris B]

Italy

Yeah, Patrick is still trying to loose his cherry.

Are there a load of Bravo's over in Italy? What about the new Stilo? Is that in numbers too? Or, do they all drive the old tin buckets like we say in the old James Bond movies?

 

[Roberto]

FIAT's and a tan

Yup Pat, got a nice tan....marla's is an all over 1 and I have pix 2 prove it (and b4 u even think about it, they're not 4 ur eyes !)

Chris...
I'd say about 9 out of 10 cars on the road r FIAT's in Italy. Loads of "500 Nuovo" (old style) and 126's, 127's etc. In terms of new models, loads of Punto's, Bravo's and Brava's, Marea's and shed loads of Multipla's (Marea's & Multipla's form a large bulk of taxi fleets out there) and quite a few Stilo's 2, albeit more 5 door than 3 (can't c why). I'm really coming round 2 the 3 door now, especially after I test drove the Abarth. There were also good numbers of Barchetta's and Coupe's.

1 thing I did c was the new Ulysse. Now I'm not an MPV person, but this looked really nice. A big improvement on the old style. It actually looks like a large 3 door Stilo from the front and has a nice rear on it 2.

Apart from FIAT's, there were loads of Alfa's (including 1 particular 147 that I saw that had been modded and looked stunning) and loads of Lancia's 2. I have recently heard that Lancia will b making a UK comeback in the next year or 2.
Most popular engine choice out there now seems 2 b the JTD, both in FIAT's & Alfa's. Not much of a surprise there as any JTD driver would tell u.

Cheers,

Rob.