Fiat 500C Reviews

Why did the Freemont cross the road? To drop the MPV tag for one that better resonates with buyers: SUV How do you boost market share for a niche vehicle like a seven-seat people-mover? For the Fiat Freemont Crossroad, the solution is to label it an SUV and pitch it at outdoor types who'll appreciate the space even if

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2014 Fiat 500.

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the new Fiat 500, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

New trim, colours and instruments, along with drive-away pricing for Fiat’s baby 500.

We turn the spotlight on the Fiat Panda Trekking and answer the crucial questions, including the biggest -- would you buy one?

The site of a former Bunnings store in Hoppers Crossing is being redeveloped into a multi-franchise car dealership. The facility, at 163-179 Old Geelong Rd, will become the new home of Werribee Hyundai and Werribee Chrysler Jeep Dodge Alfa Fiat.Bunnings relocated to a bigger site last year. Wilmac Properties is developing the 26,000sq m site which is expected to be completed between June and September. Hopper Motor Group chief executive Paul Hopper said the existing building would be converted into an automotive service, car storage and car washing facilities over two levels.Two new showrooms will be built in front of it with 250 new and used cars on display, he said. Once completed it will generate about 200 ongoing jobs. 'The project represents one of the most substantial private investments in the area in recent years," he said. 

Holden has named the boss who will oversee the factory shutdowns in 2017 and transform the company into a vehicle importer -- and it will be another foreigner because General Motors believes no Australian is up to the job.Greek-born Gerry Dorizas, formerly of Volkswagen in India, is believed to be the first person in memory to be hired from outside General Motors to run Holden.Mr Dorizas has been posted around the world in his former roles in the computer and car industries. He has worked for Volkswagen in India since 2007, and Mercedes-Benz, Fiat and Hyundai prior to that appointment.The last eight Holden bosses have come from General Motors’ operations in North America, Britain and Germany and, in most cases, were being groomed for bigger roles within the GM world.The last Australian to run Holden (from 1987 to 1990) was the late John Bagshaw, the son of a Holden dealership sales manager.The boss of General Motors’ international operations, Stefan Jacoby, also a former high-ranking Volkswagen executive, said in a statement: “Gerry has the right industry-leading experience and credentials to lead GM Holden through a significant program of change, as it transitions to a national sales company."Mr Dorizas said he was “energised by the opportunity to lead a talented and passionate team and to guide one of Australia’s strongest, most iconic brands into its next phase.”Former Holden boss Mike Devereux, the British-born, Canadian-raised executive who came up through the General Motors ranks in Detroit, announced three months ago he had been promoted to an international GM role based in Singapore.Mr Devereux was looking after Holden in a caretaker capacity until Mr Dorizas starts work on Monday (March 3, 2014).News Corp understands General Motors interviewed several Australian-based automotive executives last year -- several months before Mr Devereux announced his departure -- but none were deemed suitable.Mr Jacoby is understood to have cast the net wide in the search for the next Holden boss because the company needs “new blood”.News Corp understands three executives eventually made the shortlist late last year to “handle the transition of Holden to a sales and marketing operation”, a source said.The most senior Australian currently at Holden is Philip Brook, the executive director of sales, service and marketing.Mr Brook was promoted to the role after his predecessor, John Elsworth, left Holden in October 2012 after 22 years to become the Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Australia.Mr Devereux announced his departure from Holden late last year, just as the company was in the early stages of negotiations with the then-new Coalition Federal Government.At the time, when Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane was trying to save the car maker, he told News Corp Australia: “I’m not happy about the decision by GM (to reassign Mike Devereux away from Holden).I’m not going to speculate as to why GM and Detroit have done this but obviously it’s made my job harder.“I asked Mike Devereux when I did the walk through the Holden factory … how long the terms of the position typically were and he said three to five years. And I said I hope it’s closer to five than three.”In the end, Mr Devereux will have served about three-and-a-half years of his planned five-year term.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

Italian style makes the Fiat Panda stand out from the many conservative vehicles competing in the small car market in Australia.

Toyota-owned badge Daihatsu retired from our market in 2005, but a void in Toyota’s line-up could see some of the Daihatsu product return in the form of the small Terios SUV rebadged as a Toyota Rush.Toyota is keen to capitalise on a growing sub $25,000 compact SUV market segment. Sales are thriving, with a new Nissan Juke, Suzuki SX4, Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport and Fiat Panda all joining the Mitsubishi ASX in the search for a slice of the market. Toyota doesn’t currently have a competitor in this segment, with the bigger RAV4 starting at $28,490.But Toyota has an advantage in this rivalry: It owns Daihatsu – Japan’s oldest car manufacturer and small car specialist. The first generation Daihatsu Terios sold in Australia between 1997 and 2005, creating the same compact 5-door SUV segment that is now thriving. But the current model never made it to our shores due to Daihatsu’s local retirement.Toyota has successfully sold the Rush in overseas markets for over a decade, and the current model since its introduction in 2006. It is powered by an 80kW, 141Nm 1.5-litre VVT-I engine, featuring a five speed manual and four speed automatic. But unlike other cars in this segment, it has permanent four-wheel drive and a central differential lock, which combined with short overhangs, gives the Rush more offroad credibility than most of its competitors.However, a two wheel drive version is also on offer, for buyers who prefer the extra height and space but not the extra capability of a small SUV. With a kerb weight of just 1180kg for the four wheel drive model, the Rush is a relative lightweight, which should help keep running costs low.If Toyota Australia decides to tackle the compact SUV market with the Rush, it will be the first time a car manufactured by Daihatsu is sold in Australia since 2005. However, a new Rush is expected sometime next year, featuring improvements to power, safety and refinement. This means it’s likely Toyota Australia will wait until then to introduce the Rush into Australian showrooms. 

Based on the all-wheel drive vehicle sold overseas (we get only front-drive versions here), the Cross is essentially a Panda on stilts with added ruggedness and off road capability. And  this means it is one of the few mini SUVs that claim to offer true off road ability and 'attitude'.Along with the extra body cladding and front and rear skid plates, the Cross introduces a new Terrain Control selector, similar in concept to the Terrain Response system fitted to the latest Range Rovers. Fiat’s Terrain Control system features three different settings which include ‘Automatic’ – which alters torque distribution between the front and rear axles automatically depending on the conditions – ‘Lock’ – for off road use at speeds of up to 48km/h – and ‘Hill Descent’ – which offers optimised handling for steep descents. The Cross also rides on 15-inch wheels wrapped in ‘oversized’ all-season tyres to improve offroad traction and on road stability. An independent MacPherson type suspension layout is used at the front of the car, while a torsion beam has been developed for the rear to accommodate the added differential. This is said to improve ride comfort over the previous generation Panda Cross. Ground clearance is listed as 15cm for the petrol model and 16cm for the diesel.The new car is powered by a range of engines with power boosted over the standard 4X4 Panda. The 0.9-litre three-cylinder option now produces 67kW – up 4kW – and 145Nm of torque while capable of sipping just 4.1-litres per 100km. The 1.3-litre turbo diesel option produces 60kW and 190Nm of torque, and offers a thirst of just 3.9-litres per 100km.Inside the Cross features seats upholstered in a combination of fabric and ‘eco leather’ – which we suspect means it has no animal content – while the dash panel features unique copper trim. With Australia not currently getting the all-paw Pandas, Fiat has confirmed there’s little chance we are in line for the new Panda Cross. “There are no plans to bring Fiat Panda Cross to Australia,” Fiat Australia spokesman Nick Raman told Carsguide.