Fresh & Hot : Fiat 500

It's been a long time since a car has put a smile on my face. Yeah, we're familiar with all the modern re-issues of automotive classics, like the MINI, Beetle and now, the cherubic Fiat Cinquecento or 500. Of course, like the new MINI and Beetle, the 500 has its share of foibles that see it wander away from the original 500's DNA, but open your eyes wide and it's easy enough so spot the similarities.

Maybe it's easier if you look upon the modern 500 as a 'tribute' and 'evolved' model that is the modern interpretation of that classic rather than nit-pick and belly-ache about how it's such a pale shadow of the original.





With old and new alongside one another, one quickly appreciates the similarities in silhouette. Dimensions-wise, the new car is far bigger than before, but don't forget, this is the era of upsized burger meals and ever-increasing girths.

The original 500 would find it tough to accommodate a full complement of upsized adult passengers, but as it stands the 2300mm wheelbase of the new car translates to a decent amount of leg-room with four big buffaloes on board. This certainly isn't as cramped as the new MINI for instance.




The cabin is nicely appointed with all the cool styling aesthetics that stand out. it never comes across as a half-baked attempted to try to be cool; the 500 really is tres chic and never comes across as trying too hard either.



The 1.2L engine at the heart of the car really likes to be abuse. Spank it hard and keep the revs high for the engine to remain on boil. the 5-speed stick-shift serve up sublime shifts that are short-throw and precise. driven hard, the 500 is a riot to hurl around.

it's so easy to drive the car practically flat out everywhere since there's always a steady stream of communication coming in from different channels like road surface to tyre grip and steering.




Fast Facts : Fiat 500
Engine: 1242cc, 8-valves, 4-cylinder
Maximum power: 60bhp at 5500rpm
Maximum torque: 102Nm at 3000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
0-100km/h: 12.9 seconds
Top speed: approx. 160km/h
LxBxH: 3546x1627x1488
Wheelbase: 2300mm
Kerb-weight: 865kg
Agent: TTS

Funky Flares : Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5L

We first spotted the Subaru Impreza WRX STI at last year's tokyo motor show and were terribly smitten by its purposeful musculature and imposing good looks, especially in gun-metal and multi-spoke alloy rims... and those phat, fat flared fenders, a feature the regular S-GT or WRX is noticeably and sorely lacking when we drove it a month ago.


Finally in the flesh, the STI is every bit as charismatic as we'd remembered, right down to the quad pipes peeking out from under the rear apron. The Lexus-style rear clusters are really naff, but the rest of the car's styling is really spot-on and makes a pleasant change from the usual sedan brigade.

critics who feel the wrx (or STI) for that matter, can only be experienced in its traditional sedan form have missed the boat. as with so many things, there are the early adopters, trend-setters ,bandwagon followers and everybody else.


(* Shot at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show)

Unfortunately, we've just entered the stage of the 'early adopters' in the new Impreza's life cycle, but there's plenty of life yet in the Subie's renaissance! change is always difficult, but take a walk off the beaten path with the new STI and you might be pleasantly surprised.


(*Cabin photo courtesy of Subaru Media)

Despite the many unkind comments about the cabin, it's come a looooonnnnggg way since the earlier Imps. There's better cohesion and slightly better quality of materials used and there's even a decent attempt at cladding strategic bits in faux aluminium, while leather/alcantara always scores big points in my books.


On the move, there's no denying the strong mid-range pull of the turbocharged 2.5L motor, but that's all there is. One would have expected more fanfare towards red-line, but there's precious little punch above 5500rpm and even less as you approach the 6+k rpm redline.

now, we've got our eyes cast on the JDM 2L, which should prove more entertaining in this regard, but the export 2.5L is adequate enough as a stomping tool around our roads since one never really has to work the engine hard to generate maximum forward propulsion. brakes too, are stupendously strong and the gear-shifts surprisingly precise despite the wand-like construction of the gear-lever.

imho, this is the best mode for all-round performance and the sti really keens to be a nimble and keen performer, especially on winding roads. The whole SI-drive feature is carried over from the legacy gt, but our preference was to leave it in S#.


in addition, the export spec STI also features dccd or driver's controlled centre differential (automatic AND manual control).


ride and chassis are spot-on and there's no shame in admitting we're eagerly await the arrival of the S205.



Fast Facts : Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5L
Engine: 2457cc, 16-valves, flat-4 cylinder, turbocharged
Maximum power: 300bhp at 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 407Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Top speed: 248km/h
0-100km/h: approx. 5 seconds
LxBxH: 4415 x 1795 x 1475 mm
Wheelbase: 2625mm
Kerbweight: 1505kg
Agent: Motor Image Enterprises
Price: S$116,000