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Advertising From http://www.creativitymotivation.com Describes motivation process for creativity with emphasis on intrinsic motivation by Corey K Katir Test Drive: The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth
From popsci.com
Fiat says its catchphrase “small but wicked,” applied frequently to the new 500 Abarth, was coined for the Abarths of the 1960s, and while we think that may be apocrypha, it definitely holds true for the 2012 model. This car is very fast, very fun to drive, and won’t break the bank–even if it isn’t for everyone.
A history lesson: The name–and scorpion symbol–of the new Fiat 500 come from Karl Abarth, a champion motorcycle racer, mechanic extraordinaire, and founder, in 1949, of “Abarth & C,” the original Fiat tuner shop. Re-introduced in 2007 by Fiat, the Abarth name connotes the tuning arm of the make, akin to Subaru’s STI, Mazda’s MazdaSpeed, and Mini Cooper’s John Cooper Works. All of these lines have commonalities–they are all small, lithe, nimble, and quick cars with a relatively humble pricetag. Affordable yet exotic, that’s the idea. Let’s start with the engine, a sweet little 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder. Built in the US at Chrysler’s engine plant in Dundee, Michigan, the tricked-out 160-horsepower, 170-pound-feet of torque engine are then shipped to the Fiat 500 plant in Toluca, Mexico for installation into the Abarth, which is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.
The Abarth’s engine system has 60% more power than the naturally aspirated model, thanks to an added turbocharger and FIAT’s MultiAir fuel delivery technology. Says Fiat: “unlike engines that rely on direct action from fixed lobes on the camshaft to control intake valve opening and closing, MultiAir is an electro-hydraulic system that can control intake air, cylinder by cylinder and stroke by stroke depending on the demands from the standard electronic throttle control system [...] Fuel delivery is sequential, multi-port, electronic, with injectors located to direct the fuel spray at the intake valves in a wide spray pattern that increases fuel atomization and enhances complete combustion for a smooth driving experience.”
Fiat also tuned the Powertrain Control Module, or PCM, with a sport mode for more power. That’s in addition to a re-jiggered ride and handling with a new suspension design, boasting a 40 percent stiffer spring rate and a 0.6-inch lower ride height. The ride is helped along by Abarth-designed cast iron front-lower control arms to provide improved lateral stiffness as well as dual-valve Koni front shock absorbers for a sportier ride.
Fiat added a slew of body and interior changes–they stretched the front end and added a larger front fascia to accommodate the larger engine, decked out the 500 with optional Abarth-designed 17-inch wheels, added a new exhaust, and changed up the interior with sportier attributes and Abarth-badged gauges. It’s a lot like your regular Fiat 500, just now in leaner, tougher fighting form. The Abarth is really fast and quite nimble and, thankfully, it sounds like a sports car, thanks to the new engine and the twin-exhaust pipes. In terms of your basic “how fun is this thing to drive,” the Abarth is right up there with the too-weird-to-own Mini John Cooper Works Coupe. While 160 horsepower may not sound like a lot in this day and age of 650-plus horsepower Mustangs and Camaros, the Abarth is the right mix of size and stealth speed. Road noise inside the cabin is obtrusive at anything resembling highway speeds–it sounds like you’re sitting next to the engine on an old 707 during a transcontinental flight. The Tom Tom Navigation system that mounts on top of the dashboard cuts viability and detracts from the drive, and the stereo controls are maddening, with more levels than a first generation BMW iDrive system. Honestly, we think the whole Fiat center stack needs a redesign. While its barebones aesthetic may play in other parts of the world, I prefer ease of use and thought-out product design, even in the smallest of cars. Also, the price, close to $27,000 for a nicely equipped Abarth, seems a tad bit high. We know there is a lot of bang for the buck, but for that much coin, we want more–perhaps a 6-speed manual transmission, which the Abarth needs to quiet its ride at freeway speeds.
The Drive: On our test drive, we were able to throw the vehicle into tight corners at, ahem, above posted speeds, and the Abarth held a steady line without much front torque spin, a rarity for a turbo-powered front-wheel-drive car. At freeway speeds, the Abarth feels firmer than the base model 500 due to its lowered stance and the extra weight up front from the new engine. The additional power also comes in handy when you pass a big rig on a windswept stretch of highway–there’s no longer the feeling of dread like you have in the base 500 during a pass like that.
We had a chance to test the Abarth on the track, too, where the grippy nature of the car had a chance to show. Fiat says the Abarth is “track ready”–we’re not sure about that, but lap after lap at the Spring Mountain Motorsport Ranch outside of Las Vegas was a hoot, if not something owners will want to do every weekend.
For an everyday city car, it’s a pretty good option, as it doesn’t have the same teeth chattering, bone splintering ride as some of its competitors. (We’re looking at you, John Cooper Works.) The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth has a base price of $22,700, including destination fees. By the time you add some options, say those lovely black 17-inch forged aluminum wheels, the nice leather seats, perhaps a power sunroof, that weird TomTom navigation unit and the Safety and Convenience package, you’re close to $27,000. That’s a lot of money for the Abarth, and bumps the car into a different territory that competes with the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works, the MazdaSpeed 3, the Subaru WRX and Volkswagen GTI. It’s still not a pricey car, but there’s some tough competition in that weight class. The Fiat 500 Abarth is a fun little car in a crowded and ever-changing segment, and does a fine job of standing out thanks to clever packaging, a good power-to-size ratio, and a neat ad campaign. Do we see the Abarth as a volume leader for Fiat? Not at all. But as the halo car for the whole Fiat brand in America, it does a fine job of conveying the Abarth ethos. Come to think of it, “small but wicked” isn’t really too far off the mark.
Detroit auto show: Think small
From rss.businessweek
Think small. Think fuel efficient. That is the theme at this year’s Detroit auto show, also known by the official name North American International Auto Show. This year’s expo does not have the kind of heart-pounding displays of horsepower and luxury of past years. But there are some very significant models that tell us where higher fuel prices and tougher emissions regulations are pushing the cars of tomorrow.
2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks
From luxist.com While they may just be catching on here in America, across the ocean premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 and Mini Cooper represent the way things are done. They offer the luxury of a larger sedan or SUV, but in a smaller, more economical and more urban-friendly form. And at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, there was no shortage of automakers unveiling their new visions for the segment. Mini came back with an even smaller concept, Infiniti and Saab threw their proverbial hats in the ring, Fiat showcase two new variants of its popular 500 model and its sister company Lancia joined with a new entry of its own. Follow the jump to see what they had to offer. Continue reading 2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos 2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink|Email this|Comments
BMW M3 Matte Editon for China
From luxist.com
Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos
While some automakers roll out special editions around the entire globe, the BMW Group has of late opted to create individual specials for specific markets. Witness, as examples, the Trusardi edition 5GT (exclusive to Italy), the Z4 Silver Top edition (Japan), the M3 Pure edition (Australia) and the M3 Frozen Gray edition (United States). BMW’s subsidiaries Mini and Rolls-Royce have followed the same formula with the Mini Cooper Mat Edition (France) and Yas Eagle edition Phantom (Abu Dhabi), and now BMW has announced a new special edition M3 exclusive to China. The M3 Matte Edition packs the same V8 engine and everything else as the standard model, but is distinguished by its special matte black paint scheme, offset by black chrome trim and high-gloss 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside there’s carbon fiber and red trim, but you’ll have to live in China and act fast to get your hands on one.
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Most significant: Honda showed off a new concept car that is, more or less, going to be the new 2012 Civic when it goes on sale this spring. You can tell by the aggressive curves in the car that Honda is trying to get its mojo back. Honda’s market share fell to 10.6% in 2010 from 11% the year before. The Civic is a perennial winner for the company and vital to its success. Styling has never been the Civic’s calling card. This one takes a bold step with a fast backward-sloping roofline and some curves in the side panels that reminded me a bit of a Hyundai Tiburon. More important for Hondaphiles, the car has the company’s vaunted i-VTEC engine and a hybrid option will be available. We’ll see if its bold new look will get any love from outside Honda’s loyal followers.
Biggest turnabout: You’ve heard the clichA(c) “as big as a Buick.” It comes from a description of a spider in Woody Allen’s film “annie Hall.” I doubt anyone will say “as small as a Buick” when the compact Verano goes on sale late this year, but the 2012 Verano compact tells us where carmakers think the market is headed. General Motors figures fuel will only get more expensive and that luxury buyers will want creature comforts without shelling out a fortune for gasoline. The car’s 177-horsepower engine will get 31 miles per gallon on the highway with the 2.4-liter engine. A 2-liter turbo model comes later. The Verano will be an interesting test. Can Buick, which grew 52% last year, sell small cars to younger luxury buyers? On the surface it’s a tough sell. But who would have thought a year ago that the Lacrosse sedan would be one of the hottest cars on the market?
Pick of the show: The Mini Paceman is my pick for the best design at the show. It’s Mini’s future crossover SUV and it probably it is dead one for the brand. It’s stylish, sporty, has a bit more space than a Mini Cooper but can go off-road. Stylistically, the two-door Paceman is an athletic version of the Countryman, Mini’s existing crossover suv. The two-door Paceman doesn’t look as upright as its more practical forebear. In the rear, it has haunches like it’s going to pounce. The concept had Mini’s 1.6-liter turbo engine used in the John Cooper Works performance cars and the ALL4 all-wheel drive system. That’s a strong hint that the Paceman will offer both as options. That will make it an off-roader with tire-burning potential. One bonus: They will probably ditch the Paceman name. Mini USA President Jim McDowell said in an interview that, onfortunately, consumers associate it with ’80s video-game sensation Pac Man.
The comeback kid: Beating up on Toyota is a favorite pastime these days, what with their quality woes, lost market share and fallen image. I’ll give the company some accolades. The Prius c concept takes a hybrid franchise known for its egg-shaped fuel sippers and takes it out on the edge. The car leans forward like it’s in motion. The headlights are pushed up the hood and closer to the windshield as if the car is barreling down the highway. The car has shoulders, which makes it look more muscular. This car will come to market in the first half of 2012. One word of caution: There is no telling how much of the concept car’s edgy design will make it to the showroom.
Ford gets in the game: Nissan and GM have a jump on Ford in the green-car game. Next year, Ford will make a big statement with the C-Max Energi, a five-passenger plug-in hybrid small SUV that the automaker says will get better fuel economy that the Chevy Volt. Untested fuel economy ratings are always suspect; the Volt gets 37 mpg if it runs the gas tank dry. GM may even upgrade the Volt before the C-Max Energi goes to market. But it still looks like a good package. It’s more spacious that the other EVs and hybrids on the market and can go 500 miles using a full battery charge and tank of gas.
Hyundai makes a bold statement: The Hyundai Veloster will go on sale in 2012 as a boldly-styled three-door coupe that promises to be a fun ride that gets 40 mpg on the highway. It doesn’t need a hybrid-electric system to do it, either. It mates a dual-clutch transmission with a direct-injection 1.6-liter engine to maximize fuel economy. The interior is inspired by sporty motorcycles. This could be a hit with younger buyers given the curvy styling and fuel economy. Hyundai has moved well beyond selling just on price.
Biggest snoozer: And last, the new Volkswagen Passat is the German carmaker’s attempt to offer more value and become a big-volume seller in the U.S. market. The company only has 2.2% of the market, so it is dropping the price of the Passat by some $7,000 to get close to $20,000. The cabin looks like a VW, with well-crafted appointments and a certain German precision to the construction. On the outside? There isn’t much to it. The sides of the car are pretty flat. The back end reminds me of a Saab. Overall, the Passat is undistinctive. The selling point is affordable German engineering with options like a 2-liter diesel engine that is expected to get 43 mpg on the highway. That will have to win buyers because the design won’t turn many heads.
BMW M3 Matte Editon for China originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Advertisement
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