Italian Production Car of the Year 2007

The Fiat 500 has taken the automotive world by storm this year, it is simply the only car that anyone is taking about at the moment and it has already collected a welter of important awards since its 4th July launch. Now the 500 adds Italiaspeed Production Car of the Year 2007 to the collection; and with 8,407 votes it was a runaway winner of the prize. Second place went to the Grande Punto Abarth (2,824) a performance car which heralded the rebirth of the famous sports brand; while third place went to the Alfa 159 TI (2,373), the latest Alfa Romeo to proudly wear the famous ‘TI’ acronym.

Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is an icon. The original Nuova 500 motorised Italy and predated Sir Alec Issigonis’ Mini by 4 years. It is the car which best represents Italy as an automotive nation, it is the most common car amongst Formula 1 drivers and was voted the World’s Sexiest Car by Top Gear. Fiat successfully reintroduced their bestseller to great acclaim, following an innovative development and marketing campaign driven by the consumer. Offered from only €10.500, the new 500 offers new heights in customisation, economy, style and safety for an entry-level hatchback. It is the first car in its category to acquire a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating. It is also the undisputed winner of European Car of the Year 2008 and countless other awards across Europe.

Abarth Grande Punto
The Abarth Grande Punto is the first in a new range of affordable sporty cars which are marketed by Fiat Group Automobiles under the seperate Abarth brand. The Grande Punto is fitted with a 1.4-litre engine with an IHI fixed geometry turbocharger boosting power to 155 bhp at 5500 rpm. This power is mated to a six-speed gearbox, with the Grande Punto reaching a top speed of 208 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.2 seconds. The engine has a maximum torque of 206 Nm at 5000 rpm, which can be boosted to 230 Nm at 3000 rpm in ‘sport’ mode. Externally the Abarth Grande Punto has a wider track by 6 mm, 17” alloy wheels, bespoke styling and Abarth graphics. Internally the car also offers rally trim and sports seats.

Alfa Romeo 159 TI
The TI (Turismo Internazionale) sports equipment pack from the Alfa Unica customisation programme makes its welcome debut on the Alfa 159. The TI pack is clearly designed for those most specific of Alfa Romeo customers, seeking performance, dynamic behaviour and sporty personality. The sports pack includes large red-painted Brembo brake callipers, 20 mm lowered sports suspension, VDC, sports exhaust, 19” alloy wheels with 235/40 R19 high performance tyres, aluminium mirror housings and aerodynamic styling. Inside the TI provides a sporty ambiance with distinctive trim and luxury features. The Alfa Unica programme also introduces new paint schemes, including the beautiful 3-layer ‘8C Red’.

Alfa Romeo Spider 2.4 JTDm 20v
The powerful 200 bhp 2.4 JTDM 20v diesel engine is offered in the Alfa Spider, representing the world's first diesel-powered 2-seat roadster. The engine guarantees excellent power and torque delivery and low fuel consumption in all driving conditions. In fact, the performance of the 200 bhp Alfa Spider 2.4 JTDM is superb, with a top speed of 228 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.4 seconds, yet fuel consumption is limited: in the mixed cycle the Spider consumes 6.8 l/100 km. The 5-cylinder diesel engine already meets the limits currently envisaged for the future Euro 5 legislation.

 

Fiat Linea
Fiat Linea is an all-new C-segment three-box saloon. Produced in collaboration with Tofaş, the Turkish joint venture between Fiat Auto and Koç Holding, the Linea is currently manufactured at the joint venture's Bursa plant in Northern Turkey and has been marketed in a number of European and non-European countries from the second half of 2007. The Linea will later be produced in other countries by Fiat. Styled by Centro Stile Fiat, the Linea promises svelte lines and superior interior space, comfort and luggage capacity.

Fiat Bravo
The Bravo was developed in a record time of only 18 months from design ‘freeze’ to production. To achieve this, Fiat employed groundbreaking CAD and CAE systems, allowing the development to be undertaken almost entirely through virtual analysis and engineering. The result is consistently high build quality, class-leading passenger space, superior driving dynamics and an outstanding 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating. The Bravo is the first car to be fitted with the 1.4 T-Jet 148 bhp turbocharged petrol engine, offering responsive performance equal or better than a conventionally aspirated 1.8/2.0 petrol engine, but with a reduction of between 10-20% in fuel consumption and emissions.

Fiat Nuova Croma
A restyling for this relatively new Station Wagon applies the family styling seen on the Bravo hatchback. The Croma is one of the roomiest cars in its class; 478 cm long, 177 wide, 160 tall and a wheelbase of 270 cm. The model’s distinguishing features are the generous amount of headroom for passengers, and class-leading rear legroom. The raised driving position guarantess excellent control over the road and better exterior visibility. The engine lineup remains unchanged, still offering the powerful 200 bhp 2.4 Multijet engine (combined with a 6-speed automatic sequential gearbox), which tops its class for specific power: 83 bhp/litre. The Croma has been awarded the prestigious 5 star NCAP rating.

Fiat Palio 2008
The third and final version of Fiat Palio is better equipped than its predecessor with a fresh exterior design. Eleven years after the launch of the first version of the hatchback, the Palio has received its third and final facelift. The headlights, grille, bumpers and rear light clusters are all new, and the revised range comprises of five models including the sporty R version. Engines include the well-known ‘dual fuel’ 1.0 and 1.4 Fire FLEX engines, as well as the 1.8 Flex.

Fiat Siena 2008
The Brazilian-built Fiat Siena has just recieved a comphrensive makevover. The front and rear end styling have been significantly revised, a wide engine range now features, close attention has been paid in the areas of occupant safety and to improving interior luxury, while the equipment and options list has been expanded. In a testimony to the continuing success of the Siena, which has seen its sales growing in Brazil all year, a second production line has been set, at Córdoba in Argentina, which is just getting on stream. The new Siena is offered in four versions: ELX 1.0 Flex, ELX 1.4 Flex, ELX 1.4 Tetrafuel and HLX 1.8 Flex. New technologies include CD player with MP3, WMA, Bluetooth and USB port, alongside more powerful and economical engines.

Fiat Punto (Brazil)
The Brazilian-built version of the Grande Punto is aimed at the Latin American markets, and introduces new technology to the region. The model features Flex Fuel specific 1.4- and 1.8-litre engines. The car, which has proved so popular in Europe, forms a key part of Fiat Autómoveis' future marketing strategy. The Punto aims to push Fiat Autómoveis more upmarket, and as a result incorporates features such as the cutting-edge Blue&Me infotelematic package which was co-developed with Microsoft. This technology is a market first for Brazil. The ranging-topping model is the 1.8 Sporting, offering good performance and a more upmarket trim.

Lancia Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign
The Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign includes newly designed front and rear bumpers, 16” alloy wheels and a sports interior. The most assertive engine in the range is the 1.3 Multijet 16V which delivers 105 bhp at 4000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm. With this engine and a 5-speed gearbox the Ypsilon has a top speed of 177 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10.5 seconds. Alongside this sparkling performance is the low consumption and CO2 emissions, as with the entire Multijet range: 4.7 l/100 km in the combined cycle and 123 g/km. With this engine, the Lancia Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign offers the most powerful diesel engine in its class.

Lancia Nuova Musa
Far more than just a facelift, the Nuova Musa’s luggage capacity has been increased by 70 litres to 390 litres (460 litres when the sliding seats are fully forward, a record for this class). The loading floor has been lowered by 4 cm to enable easier stowage. The new styling, inspired by the Delta HPE concept, provides a more upmarket appearance. The rear also features LED lighting, a technological first in the compact MPV category. Further improvements include the best sound-proofing equipment available, with a new sound-absorbant ceiling attenuating the sound inside the passenger compartment by approximately 2 dB. There are also over 80 possible combinations with 5 different trim levels, 14 bodywork colours and 4 new two-tone ‘b-colore’ liveries.

Italian Production Car of the Year 2006
The array of desirable new production models from Alfa Romeo was further rewarded by voters: the Alfa Spider (2,605) won the contest for Production Car of the Year just ahead of another potent Alfa Romeo, this time the Alfa GT Q2 (2,219), demonstrating that this gorgeous coupé is still as fresh as ever. Third place went to the sporty new Panda 100HP (1,124).