Page 62 & 63 - The Motoring Review_Double Page Editorial 29/06/2021 13:15 Page 1
Just
Drive..
The Basics
Model: Fiat 500 Lounge 1.0 Hybrid 70 bhp Price: £14, 750 Engine: 1.0 Hybrid 70 bhp Pictures: Stellantis
Looked out of the window today? By the distressed denim of Jeremiah, 'tis a grim sight! When the weather's not behaving the spirits droop. And then there's the little matter of the post-covid 'economy', rolling on downhill ever faster and looming like an empty oil drum. But what's this? What can I see parked outside on the mansion drive? Just the car that's needed to bring a little ruddy glow of jollity into our post-pandemic pit of despair, that's what. A car that's as bright as a daisy meadow, but rather quicker to respond to the throttle. A car that says hello to the young at heart of all ages. A car that's lively, quirky, cute and charismatic. Say hello to the £14, 750 Fiat 500 Lounge 1.0 litre Hybrid - a three door hatch powered by a 70 bhp 999cc 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine lightly assisted by a tiny battery that offers an extra push for starting off or accelerating. You don't drive on electric alone. It's just there for when the need arises. Then it releases recovered energy from braking etc.. There's a manual gearbox with well chosen ratios including an 'overdrive' sixth gear to let you get the best from the lively petrol engine for nippiness and then for cruising in sixth - which it does well even on a motorway. It's capable of near 105 mph and really does return more than the claimed 53.3 mpg. Near 60 mpg was easily achieved by your lead booted correspondent. With light and nimble handling, it's a car to zip about in that's as much fun as a Mini or Fiesta. The engine is fabulous and the turbo boost gives a linear surge as you floor the throttle. Not since I stampeded the farmers cattle whilst escaping from Borstal and running for my life have I enjoyed nippiness so much.
62 Motoring Review
