105 MOTORING ROAD TESTS BY NICK FLETCHER
OUR MOTORING COLUMN, BY THE EXPERIENCED AND AWARD WINNING LOCAL MOTORING JOURNALIST NICK FLETCHER HELPS OUR READERS CHOOSE THE BEST OF THE LATEST CARS.
screen DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB and AUX, remote lock- ing, folding rear seats, alloy wheels and chrome detailing. You also get LED daytime running lights, powered
FIAT 500C
THE TINY FIAT 500 HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR THE PAST 60 YEARS AND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TRUE CITY CARS, A PIONEERING MODEL WHICH HAS SOLD MORE THAN SIX MILLION WORLDWIDE. Even in its early days there was a soft-
top version available, and the current 500 also comes with a sliding fabric roof to provide open top motoring. It is marketed as the 500C. Prices start at £14,460 though versions with addition- al equipment of course cost more. My test model was a 1.2 litre 69 hp
petrol version with a 5-speed manual gearbox, in Lounge trim with standard kit including air-conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, touch-
front windows, stablility control and seven airbags. This model costs £15,890. Top speed is 99 mph, the 0-60 mph time is 12.9 seconds and fuel economy is 60.1 mpg combined. Emissions are 110 g/km. The cute styling of the 500C is enhanced when it’s
powered fabric roof is open and it helps gives the car eye-catching presence. The car will seat four adults with reasonable comfort and the 185 litre boot is adequate for most shopping requirements. The two-tone dashboard is very attractive and gives the interior of the 500C a real wow factor. On the road, the car is nippy and very
THE FIAT 500C IS A SMALL CAR YET IT HAS A BIG PERSONALITY
nimble, easy to drive and handle, and easy to park. Visibility is good and the seating position of the driver has plenty of adjustment and the steering wheel also has height adjustment. The Fiat 500C is a small car yet it has a big personality and is particularly appealing to urban users who will find its cool styling, agile handling and out- standing fuel economy a very attractive package.
CITROEN C4 SPACE TOURER
FRENCH MANUFACTURER CITROEN HAS LONG BEEN NOTED FOR PROVIDING VEHICLES WITH OUTSTANDING RIDE COMFORT, A QUALITY THAT IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF PEOPLE-CARRIERS. AND ITS LATEST C4 SPACE TOURER PERFECTLY ILLUSTRATES THE POINT. Available in five and seven-seat form, the
Space Tourer is among the most spacious and best-equipped MPVs in the sector and its ultra- comfortable ride is its ace card in a very competitive sector. The Space Tourer also has an edge over rivals because its styling - particularly its interior - has a more unconventional and arguably more elegant appearance.
Space Tourer prices start at £21,670 and the entry
version is well-kitted but for features such sat-nav, sunroof and enhanced infotainment you need to move up the range. My five-seat test model was
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