Fiat News

More than 25,000 admirers, tyre kickers and buyers packed the Convention Centre at South Bank on the second day of the show last Saturday, smashing all previous records.The 8000 increase on the previous single-day best crowd was helped by the official season launch of the V8 Supercar championship which featured all the stars and cars of the Holden versus Ford series in nearby Little Stanley St.While most come to dream there are those who use the opportunity to compare notes between rival brands at close range and under the one roof.With fuel prices remaining high, the cost of running a vehicle remains a key buying consideration among many buyers.For those wanting to stretch their dollar further at the pump there are fresh injections of turbo diesel variants in the passenger car line-up including Volkswagen's Polo oil burner for $22,990.Lexus provided the Queensland public with its first look at the GS450H saloon, a luxury petrol/electric hybrid which is scheduled to do business in local showrooms from May.BMW, which is showing off a new range of V8 engines in the 5, 6 and 7-series at the show, says it will have a hydrogen-powered 7-series on Australian roads in two years but there is a need for government intervention to possibly sort through filling station infrastructure.While the future is firmly set on alternative power sources, there remains an unwavering passion for hot blooded exotic sports machines.In performance alley at the show there is the stunning Pagani Zonda Roadster, priced at $1.3 million or the equivalent of four median-priced Brisbane homes.While Holden is flooring the fans with the hot rod Efigy, it also previewed its next four-wheel-drive wagon, the Capitva.VW took the covers off the new Passat sedan and wagon while Fiat had a range of Puntos which will signal the Italian maker's return to the passenger car ranks in Australia this year. The show continues until Sunday.

Get hold of a motorhome, go camping and find out how easy relaxing can be.After a weekend in the new seven metre Trakka Veneto four berth "C- class motorcamper" relaxation swept over us as soon as we had packed the large vehicle, driven out the drive and ventured forth on a weekend surfing safari to coastal national parks.There is absolutely no point in driving hard in a vehicle such as this because you can't. It is more of a waft rather than a drive as the big Veneto glides over rough roads and off into the sunset."How good is this" issues from everyone's lips as a holiday feeling sweeps across the touring party.The Veneto is Trakka's latest medium size motorcamper and is built on a Fiat Ducato cab/ chassis unlike other Ducato-based motorcampers which are van based.It means the Veneto has a robust truck-like ladder chassis underneath, a high load capacity and a low centre of gravity.The cab is neatly joined to the accommodation unit and it drives well for a large weighty vehicle.Power comes from a turbo diesel 2.8-litre four cylinder driving the front wheels through a five speed manual transmission. A four-speed auto is also available.The engine is relatively economical and gives good performance considering the weight it's hauling. Cruising on the freeway at 110kmh is a breeze with the occasional downshift on steep hills.Fuel consumption allows about 500km touring range.The test vehicle had air rear suspension which is superb, smoothing rough roads, allowing the vehicle to be levelled at campsites and holding it comfortably on the road. The veneto has single rear wheels with heavy duty Michelin tyres. Brakes are Brembo and make light work of slowing the Veneto which can weigh up to around four tonnes fully wet with four people aboard.The vehicle is quite luxurious offering a swag of goodies for the $130,000 pricetag. It has two double beds on over cab the other down the back, an oven/grille, three burner cook top, gas/electric and battery fridge, shower/bathroom/toilet, TV, microwave oven, twin gas bottles, large fresh water storage, hot water system, grey water storage, integral 240V power cord, dual auxiliary batteries, oodles of cupboard and wardrobe space and air conditioning in the cabin and an electric system in the living area and numerous perspex side windows complete with screens and blinds and a number of skylights. The panoramic rear windscreen is a major attraction at campsites, especially if there is a view. It is also handy when driving the Veneto giving wide vision to the rear A large rear boot has two access doors where we stowed surfboards, fishing gear and folding seats.The side awning is a roll out type and a real asset in the warm weather for alfresco eating."Camping" in this vehicle is hardly what you'd call roughing it but still gives a quintessential outdoor experience with a touch of luxury and the practicality of a motorhome.

Fiat will offer the Grande Punto for sale mid-year, joining the Fiat Ducato commercial vehicles and its Alfa Romeo cousins in the market. The Grande Punto is a brand new model, setting a trend for all Australian-market Fiats to be all-new models from the Italian maker. As with Alfa Romeo, Fiat will launch its models in Australia as they are launched in Europe, and the initial dealer network will largely comprise established Alfa Romeo dealers. There will be a full range of Grande Punto versions, including a diesel, and all will be uniquely specified for the Australian market and priced to match their Japanese and European rivals in the premium small car sector. Grande Punto is aimed at buyers moving into smaller cars, but not willing to give up the style, equipment and performance they are used to in larger cars. Judging by the enthusiastic reception received by Alfa Romeo when it returned to Australia just over seven years ago, Fiat can expect to be one of the top show attractions for Italian car enthusiasts. Along with Italian supercars from Ferrari and Maserati - corporate relatives within the Fiat family - the Grande Punto delivers a distinctive Italian flavour that sets it apart from its rivals. Melbourne International Motor Show runs from Thursday 9 February to Sunday 19 February at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, and is organised and promoted by the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce through its dealer division the Australian Automobile Dealers Association (Vic).

However, the Italian motoring giant is making its Australian comeback through its excellent commercial van range.The Ducato comes in mid-roof and high-roof versions and the big-cube model is riding on the wave of popularity of these bigger vans, which include the Ford Transit and the Mercedes Sprinter.Fiat sold 343 Ducato vans last year and has set a target of 600 this year. However, a slowing van market has stunted this ambitious mark. After four months, just 158 Ducatos were sold — but the sales are still better than 2004.But it's only a fraction of the Fiat Ducato's European popularity. There were more than 20,000 Ducatos sold in Europe in April alone.The first quarter of 2005 was the best-ever Ducato sales figure.Fiat says the Italian, German,French and Spanish business operators are particularly attracted to the Ducato's engine."The good performances have been driven by the customer appeal of the models powered by Fiat's advanced JTD diesel range, that are appreciated by customers for the great performances and low fuel consumption," a spokesman says.The Ducato offers a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine that features common rail and has better fuel economy than petrol.The front-wheel drive provides extra space at the back and there's 12 cubic metres of it.With a GVM of 3510kg, this big boy crosses into the light-truck category, which, according to VFACTS, starts at 3500kg.The Ducato can fit two pallets and be loaded either from the sliding side door or the back doors, which open 270 degrees.The engine has 94Kw of power 300Nm of torque at 1800rpm.The dashboard-mounted gear stick is placed for fast gear changing and it's interesting to see the new Fuso Canter has also adopted this driver-friendly design.The cabin is very upmarket and the van comes with ABS brakes, dual airbags, airconditioning, power windows and mirrors and remote central locking.This keyless entry is a bonus for busy delivery people who don't want to waste time fumbling around for keys 50 times a day.The driver's window is brought up and down with just one touch.What gives this bigger van the edge is the high seating, which offers excellent vision.But forget about trying to find a park in Westfield — unless you want to turn your 2.4m-high van into a convertible.Parking this big vehicle is easy in normal car parks as the 3700mm wheelbase fits neatly in a normal car parking spot. However, the high roof is attracting interest from camper manufacturers.