2012 Fiat 500C: Spiffy top makes a truly smart car

Surprisingly few people noticed the flock of Fiat 500 Cabriolets buzzing through Manhattan's SoHo district during the car's media introduction this month. Blame it on the car-averse, seen-it-all nature of most New Yorkers. But take the cute 500 to any other American town and it'll stick out like a fire hydrant in the middle of the Antarctic. It's way out of its element, but you might end up wanting one.


Fiat thinks the 500 can lure a new generation of singles and young couples who lapped up Volkswagen New Beetles and Mini Coopers. After a 27-year absence, Fiat has barely carved a name here — the first of four Massachusetts dealers opened in March — but this stubby car has a good chance. While mammoth crossovers and SUVs pack our roads, Americans have always found a soft spot for European hatchbacks with mildly zany personalities, no matter the price of gas.

And before anyone gets smart on me, know that Fiat isn't repeating the American failure of the ForTwo microcar. Despite being less than 12 feet long and as wide as my arm span, the 500 sports another cylinder, two more seatbelts, and the actual semblance of an automobile.

Click photo for larger version.

The 500 Cabriolet is identical to the new hardtop, save for a spiffy, folding curtain that slides along the side rails like the original 1957 "Cinquecento." This design keeps the pillars and roof structure intact so the body doesn't flex and rattle. With the top back and the windows lowered, the Fiat looks like a slim handbag with big grab handles. So it's a safe idea not to bring the 500C within 500 feet of Fenway Park, or else you'll find a bunch of drunks pitching it off the curb.

The electric top has preset stop points; two easy buttons above the rear view mirror let the driver open the roof as much or as little as desired. Where Porsche Boxster drivers panic and pull over for dark clouds, Fiat owners can seal the roof in seconds at up to 60 mph. Through the foggy, rain-soaked Taconic Parkway north of the city — and the patchy, unpredictable storms hitting the Northeast all May — this proved to be an incredible advantage no other convertible can match.

Click photo for larger version.

A folding deflector screen on the edge of the windshield — like the fancy metal flap on the Mercedes E Cabriolet — minimizes buffeting at higher speeds, and the thick, lined fabric quiets the interior without exposing any of the top's bars and hinges. The only hard time you'll have is seeing out back with the roof fully retracted, since the glass rear window has to fold accordion-style behind the seats.

That Fiat has nearly perfected this power top speaks volumes about the car's value for its $20,000 base price. Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, trip computer, power windows, heated mirrors, and locks come standard. My Pop trim was fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, red checkered body graphics, and a Bose audio system with satellite radio for $22,149 with destination. Sure, it's a big price for a small car, but if that's your game, I've got an ugly Nissan Versa hatch with your name on it.

While one of the lightest new vehicles on sale, the 500 packs the weight where it counts. Pillars are thick and doors slam with a reassuring "thump." A driver's knee airbag, as well as side curtain airbags, come standard. All the switchgear — and the five-speed manual shifter — feels substantial. Unfortunately, the fuel-efficient manual (rated at 30 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) isn't available on the more expensive Lounge trim, which comes with a six-speed automatic and a draining 27/32 EPA rating.

Click photo for larger version.

The two-tone seats, with their circular headrests, are less fun to sit in than to look at. Even with a height adjustment for the driver, the seating position is too tall, and there is little side bolstering and no lumbar support. Hard plastics and the placement of window switches on the dash mar the attractive interior, and while some drivers may get confused with the concentric gauges (the tach is placed within the speedometer), it's a far more livable style than the Mini's Salvador Dali-inspired cockpit.

But the 500 is also unlike the Mini where it really counts: performance. There's only 101 horsepower and 98 lb.-ft. under the Fiat's belt, and while this is acceptable around the city, it's a gear-changing prayer on the highway and on winding back roads. Any incline, no matter how slight, strains this 1.4-liter motor, so quite often it's best to run in fourth gear and forget fuel economy. The skinny tires and slow steering don't match the Fiat's dart-like profile, either. A sportier Abarth version with about 170 horsepower is due next year. But all the 500 needs to feel safer on faster roads is about 30 more ponies.

Look for the 500 Cabriolet — and more Fiat dealers — to arrive in June.

Audi R8 GT Spyder Unleashed

Last May, Audi unveiled what became the fastest Audi ever, the R8 GT. With power increased up to 552 hp and around 220 pounds dropped, the amazing sports car managed to do the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.6 seconds and reached a top speed of 199 mph.
A year later, the German company unveiled the convertible version of this car, the Audi R8 GT Spyder, a car that takes open-top driving to another level. The high-performance cabriolet is powered by Audi’s 5.2-liter V-10 FSI engine which, mated to a six-speed R tronic transmission delivers 560 hp (412 kW) and peak torque of 540 Nm, enough to take the car from stand to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 197 mph.
Of course, the power output increase would not be good enough for the extra performance, so the German engineers managed to make the model 188 lb lighter than the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. Ultra-light magnesium was used for the engine frame, while CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced polymer) was used for the soft top’s cover and the side panels.
Compared to the other convertible R8, the GT version features several styling elements to differentiate it, such as the front splitter with a dual flip, red GT badges, dark LED tail lights and several parts painted in contrasting titanium gray paint. The soft top brings nothing new, which means it opens or closes in 19 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph.
While efforts were made to keep the chassis’ weight down, almost nothing was touched at the interior, the Audi R8 GT Spyder featuring all the goodies the German carmaker has to offer: Fine Nappa leather, premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, automatic air conditioning or navigation. And of course, for the more picky customers there are also some even more exclusive options, like carbon-fiber chassis bucket seats or CFRP inserts.
The German manufacturer announced that the Audi R8 GT Spyder will be produced at the company’s Neckarsulm plant, with only 333 units scheduled to be sold at a starting price of a little more than 200,000 Euros (around $300,000).

2011 Range Rover Sport: A Commanding View From the Inside

Today we'll climb aboard the new 2011 Range Rover Sport and look at all the luxury interior features.
Make no mistake, the Range Rover Sport Supercharged is aimed at well-heeled urbanites. It is designed for those who want a vehicle that has the ability to get them to their destination safely through the worst weather and do it while traveling in luxury. It will take the family from Denver to Aspen in the dead of winter and get them there comfortably and safely.
On the inside, the dashboard, instrument panel, seats and door panels were all redesigned and upgraded in 2010. Most of the switches on the old model have been transferred to the 5-inch touch screen interface so there are fewer switches overall and the center stack is cleaner and easy to read and use.
The interior is what you would expect from the British carmaker, beautifully crafted with excellent fit and finish. Quality materials wrap every surface, including the fine leather on all the seats. The Anigre wood trim looks like something out of a British state room. Seats are heated both front and back as is the front windshield, outside mirrors, and windshield washer nozzles. All make for a quick thaw after spending a day on the slopes. The one thing missing is a heated steering wheel.

On the way home, the driver and passengers are greeted with a commanding view of the scenery and the road. It may be one of the best features on the Range Rover Sport. Rear passengers feel like they are riding in a luxury coach with elevated stadium-style seating. The view gives the driver a sense of having complete control over any driving situation that could arise.
Its a little surprising that the Range Rover Sport doesn't come with cooled seats and a power liftgate in the back. Although there is a center console cooled box to keep drinks cold on a long trip. It can be a bit of a stretch and a tug to get the liftgate down. The rear hatch window does open separately though allowing smaller items to be loaded into the rear without lifting the whole tailgate.
Rear seat passengers get plenty of leg room with easy ingress and egress thanks to the four corner electronic air suspension. The slab-sided body offers extra cargo space behind the second row but for a vehicle that leads its class on several counts, the Range Rover Sport rates only average in cargo capacity with 71 cubic feet. Its sloping rear window can also hamper the loading of bulky items into the rear.
Overall the 2011 Range Rover Sport is a veritable house of luxury, and offers about as much pampered refinement as you will find in any luxury SUV. It is truly an exceedingly comfortable place to while away the miles.
Tomorrow we'll come back and take a look at all the options and features on the Range Rover Sport.

2011 Volvo S60 T6: Quick Drive

Life behind the wheel of a 2011 Volvo S60 T6 is good, so good in fact it's hard to find any major issues with it.  Recently, Volvo was kind enough to toss me the key fob to their latest mid-sized offering for a week and let me put it though the paces of typical everyday life.  From rush hour commutes and quick sprints for Chinese take-out, to a three hour countryside drive; the S60 passed each test with high marks.  My initial expectation was a predictable blend of comfort and safety, but to my surprise Volvo has added an extra dash of performance.
The graceful contoured lines of the current generation S60 continues the design progression past the trademarked boxy profile of Volvos past.  Though an inch longer than the previous model, the latest S60 appears more compact giving the impression of a more manageable sized car in tighter situations.  A distinct forward pitch in the car's profile gives the S60 a slightly aggressive stance, however the car feels very level, well balanced and exhibits minimal body roll. Volvo succeeds in delivering a sporty ride without sacrificing comfort, a character trait most likely attributed to the Dynamic chassis setup which comes standard.


Interior detail of the four door coupe doesn't disappoint, another example of the exceptional build quality we've come to expect from the Swedish car maker.  The combination of high grade materials and precise construction convey a comfortable and refined feel.  Seating appointments are well trimmed in exotic grained leather and make time sitting in traffic much more bearable - dare I say enjoyable.  The front driver and passenger seats are equipped with Volvo's trademarked Whiplash Protection System and include three levels of heated comfort for colder months.  Communication, entertainment and navigation interfaces are all displayed on well-placed dash mounted LCD screen located at the top of the center stack.  I found the dual view feature backup camera very useful when backing into tighter than normal parking spots.  Thoughtful controls for clever features, like the retractable rear passenger headrests, are all kept within a short reach.  Overall, the S60 is a very driver friendly car with intuitive controls and multiple modes of feedback.



Under the hood, the transverse-mounted turbocharged 3.0 liter mill provides a healthy amount of power.  As tested, the S60 tipped the scales at just over 3800 pounds but with 300 hp and a relatively short 109-inch wheelbase, the stout little four door squirts through traffic with ease.  Power delivery is crisp and steering feedback is sharp and free from any noticeable torque steer, a perfect pairing in a very predictable and capable all-wheel drive chassis.  The turbocharged in-line six pushes the car from a dead stop to 60 mph in brief five and a half seconds and tops triple digit speeds in a just over thirteen. Performance numbers like these not only puts the S60 T6 on par with comparable BMW, Audi, and Mercedes models, but also serves as a shot over the bow of the German automakers, illustrating how the 2011 Volvo brings more to the game than just safety.


My Vibrant Copper Metallic test mule was equipped with every safety option possible including Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Pedestrian Detection.  Continuing with their track record of ground breaking innovations, Volvo's Pedestrian Detection is a feature that combines a radar sensor and windshield mounted camera to detect foot traffic in the vehicle's path.  An audible alarm paired with a flashing red heads up indicator alerts the driver of a possible pedestrian collision.  If the driver doesn't respond, the Full Auto Brake feature kicks in applying the brakes with full force.  Although I wasn't able to find any volunteers to test the detection system, I trust it works as well as countless other revolutionary safety devices born from Volvo test labs.

Volvo S60 T5 R-Design

Volvo war in den letzten Jahren ein wenig auf Imagesuche. Lange Zeit nannte selbst jedes Kind „Volvo“, wenn es um die sicherste Automarke ging.

Durch das Gleichziehen der Konkurrenz – untermauert noch durch den Euro-NCAP-Crashtest - musste Volvo sein Image um andere Qualitäten erweitern.

Dies gelang mit der Hinwendung zu dynamischeren Formen plus einem sportlichen Touch in Sachen Motoren und Fahrwerke. Aktuellstes und wohl auch gelungenstes Beispiel: Der smarte Mittelklassler S60 samt seinem Kombi-Derivat V60.

Nun setzt Volvo mit dem „R-Design“ noch eins drauf, gewissermaßen ein „rollendes R“ (Volvo heißt ja: „Ich rolle“). Die Sport-Variante basiert dabei auf dem „Kinetic“, also der ersten der drei gehobenen Ausstattungsstufen – darüber folgen noch „Momentum“ und „Summum“.

Markante R-Designmerkmale

Außen erkennt man das „R-Design“ an der tiefergezogenen Front- und Heckschürze, einer Heckspoilerlippe, Außenspiegeln in mattem Chromdesign und einem Doppel-Auspuffrohr. Ebenfalls Erkennungsmerkmale: Der mit Klavierlack überzogene Kühlergrill und die 18-Zoll-Leichtmetallfelgen mit jeweils fünf Speichen.

Innen findet man Sportsitze sowie zweifarbige Leder- und Textilpolster mit Kontrastnähten. Lenkrad, Schalthebel, Pedale und Fußmatten besitzen ihr eigenes „R-Design“, die Instrumente sind blau unterlegt.

Zum Optik-Pep gibt es auch handfeste Ware: Etwa ein um 15 Millimeter tiefergelegtes Sportfahrwerk mit um 15 Prozent strafferen Federn, adaptierte Stoßdämpfer, dickere Stabilisatoren sowie eine direktere Lenkung.

Bei allen S60-Modellen serienmäßig: ESP, „City Safety System“ (leitet, wenn der Fahrer nicht aufpasst, bei Geschwindigkeiten bis 30 km/h eine Notbremsung ein), sämtliche E-Helfer und sechs Airbags.

Nach wie vor voll da in Sachen Sicherheit

Ganz wollte man die Sicherheits-Tradition somit nicht abschütteln, gegen Aufpreis gibt es dazu noch fast alle derzeit am Markt befindlichen Assistenzsysteme – vom aktiven Abstandsregelsystem über Spurhalte- und „Toter-Winkel“-Assistent bis hin zu Fußgänger-Kollisions- und Müdigkeitswarner.

Standardmäßig kommt der S60 „R-Design“ in einem schön knalligen Rot daher, er kann jedoch auch in sieben weiteren Farben bestellt werden. Sämtliche Motorvarianten stehen zur Auswahl. Sprich: Benziner zwischen 150 und 304 PS sowie Dieselmotoren von 115 bis 215 PS.

Wir wählten mit dem 240 PS starken S60 T5 (entgegen dem Namen kein Fünf-, sondern ein Vierzylinder) nicht gerade die goldene Mitte, aber ein Aggregat, das dem sportlichen Design voll gerecht wird.