Author: carcoutureblog

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Fiat 500C – Power Aid

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How much power does a little car like the Fiat 500 need? Well, the barnstorming, 135bhp  Abarth version is crazy fun but probably too much of a handful for many people, while the range starts with the 1.2-litre version we are testing. Our car kicks out 69bhp and for anything outside of the city, is way too slow.

The problem is that there is no acceleration from a standstill, to the point where it feels like you have to time your exit from a junction with extra thought and care. It takes an age to get going and with four people on board, would be bordering on the dangerous.

Which brings me to the excellent 0.9 Twin Air. This version produces 85bhp from a two-cylinder engine and has plenty of torque for accelerating too. Another safe option would be the 1.3 Multijet diesel that produces 95bhp – more than enough grunt for the little 500.

So, if you are buying a 500C, just make sure you test all the engines before making a choice. Our 1.2 probably isn’t the best, unless you want to dawdle at Morris Minor speeds…

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Fiat 500C – Get Your Top Off

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Is your steering wheel black and boring? Just check out the gorgeous 500C! If you’re worried that the white leather might get dirty then please buy a Ford Fiesta.

I spent yesterday scooting around the Cotswolds in this crazy cool car and I think I was grinning inanely for most of it. It’s miles better than the class-leading Mini and dares to be deliciously different.

It’s been about a year since I have tested a 500 and I’m realising just how much I’ve missed it. If I lived in London and needed a city car – there’s no doubt that this would be it.

The roof on the 500C rolls back like a sardine can and Friday’s sunshine just made the whole experience more enjoyable. It’s going to lash down today but somehow, I think I will still be smiling…

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Fiat 500C – Peel Back Here

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People buy a Fiat 500C because it offers wind in your hair pleasures at a modest price. It’s all about zipping around town, squeezing through the narrowest of gaps and enjoying every last minute of sunshine behind the wheel.

The 500C is as visually engaging now as it was at launch in 2009. It’s has one of the best interiors of any supermini, if not the best. A cunning mix of retro chic and style with excellent build quality.

If you want real performance there is an Abarth model, or you can go tax-free with the brilliant Twin Air engines.

So peering at the 500C parked on my driveway this morning, my first thought is what a cute and fun car. The next is how the heck does it justify the £16,375 price tag?

Hopefully, by tomorrow I should have a few answers…

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Citroen C5 Tourer – On The Level

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The Citroen range isn’t blessed with stylish cars. DS apart, the C6 and this C5 Tourer are the pick of the bunch.

And it’s a credit to the Citroen design team that our Tourer has remained pretty much the same since it was launched six years ago.

While it boasts 1500 litres of boot space, the low roof line means it isn’t the largest estate in this class. However, in the passenger cabin, there is plenty of room front and rear.

When the C5 is fully loaded, the hydropneumatic, self-levelling suspension, available on cars higher up the range, helps keeps everything on the straight and narrow.

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Citroen C5 Tourer – Undone By Buttons

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Today Volvo revealed that their new XC90 will feature a dashboard that is virtually devoid of buttons.The new model is launched later this year and has a tablet-like touch screen, a head-up display and only a couple of thumb buttons on the steering wheel.

The idea is brilliant and SUV owners everywhere will look on with envy. However, such ground-breaking technology is bound to send a shiver down the spine of the design team at Citroen because I’m not sure I have ever seen a car with as many buttons as the C5.

Just take a look at that steering wheel – it has more buttons to press than the entire dashboard of the new XC90! It’s actually rather intimidating when you sit int he Citroen for the first time.

These two cars are polar opposites in terms of driver controls. Personally, I’d choose something in-between because driving any car, you should always pick function over form.

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Citroen C5 Tourer – The Large Lap of Luxury

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Is there something about the French I don’t know? I lived in the Tarn for two years and I thought I had a pretty good idea of their driving habits – so why the heck doesn’t the C5 have a cupholder?

You only discover these things at the last moment, usually when you have just bought a takeaway coffee and suddenly realise there is nowhere to slot it in safely. Hmm, risk holding it between the knees, or will it stay upright in the centre console bin? Probably not…

Hang on, here it is! The cupholder for the C5 is situation inside the console bin, and even then you have to search to find it. A pop up arm is folded down inside and holds my cup beautifully. Just an odd place to put it, don’t you think?

Driving the big Citroen is like taking an armchair for a ride. It’s super comfortable, refined and rather chic. I just wish the French didn’t have to be quite so quirky with their product…

 

 

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Citroen C5 Tourer – Room To Roam

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If your car budget doesn’t stretch to a German estate then the C5 offers an interesting alternative to the everyday Ford Mondeo, VW Passat and Vauxhall Insignia.

While it may not be as much of an all-rounder as those three favourites, the Citroen is a load-lugger that at least looks different and gets kudos points for sleek styling.

Th problem with the top of the range Executive we have on test right now is that costing £30,000, it comes very close to costing as much as premium brand offerings from Mercedes, BMW and Audi.

However, the C5 Tourer is much more roomy inside than any of those rivals, with better leaf and headroom front and rear.

So, you pay your money and make your choice. Personally, I’m loving the C5 Tourer because it is just that little bit different. Would I rather have a Ford Mondeo on the driveway? What do you think!

 

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Citroen C5 Tourer – Driving With Frank Sinatra

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Citroen calls it Hydractive 3+ suspension. It’s not standard in every C5 Tourer but on our Exclusive estate it makes for the most comfortable ride of any car I’ve driven this year.

That’s on a smooth, fast duel carriageway. On winding A-roads, the suspension doesn’t quite live up to expectation. It feels fidgety and doesn’t cope with a rough surface in the same impeccable manner.

The Exclusive is exceptionally well equipped inside the cabin though, with part-leather trim and electric front seats. I still can’t get on with electronic park brakes and I’m not entirely sure interior mood lighting is required. Does it flash red for road rage?

And further extending the unnecessary names for features, the sat nav system is called eMyWay. Or Mancunian for a northern pub singer doing Frank Sinatra…

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Citroen C5 Tourer – An Estate By Any Other Name

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I can’t help it – I like estate cars. They carry stuff around and I like practical, sometimes. Except these days they call them Tourers and Avants, which seems to make no sense at all.

The latest C5 is no exception but at least it now looks the part, with sleek lines and a huge interior that swallows up people and luggage.

It’s true that Citroen secondhand values may not be as good as German marques but you are getting a whole lot of car for your money in the first place.

The C5 is fully equipped, with air suspension, excellent seats and every gizmo going on the Exclusive model.

Are you going to choose a £30,000 French estate over a BMW or an Audi? Let’s see how we get on in the week ahead…

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Lotus Elise S Club Racer – No Helmet Required

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Last day with the Elise and I’m almost ashamed to say the roof hasn’t been off once. Blame the Bank Holiday weather and the fact I don’t have an instruction manual.

That apart I’ve thrashed the Club Racer to the best of my abilities. It’s difficult not too with a car this responsive. It handles like a go-kart and is equally exhilarating. You don’t need to wear a helmet either.

I’m not entirely sure how Lotus gets away with not fitting airbags – I thought all cars had to have them? I imagine many owners would want to spec the Elise with safety harnesses too.

The Club Racer isn’t an everyday car, although there will be a few die-hards who insist it is. I’m certain that on a racetrack it would be a delight, with razor sharp steering, reassuring brakes and that responsive accelerator pedal.

Ultimately, the S Club Racer is a weekend car only. As brilliant as any Lotus has ever been, you just can’t help but love it.