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Written by www.channel4.com/4car/
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Cheap and chic new ways to get around town and beyond.
Tokyo 2007: Subaru G4eThe Subaru G4e is a triangular-bodied electric car concept with an aluminium chassis, powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries stored under the floor.
Subaru claims the car would have a 125-mile range per charge, thanks to its light weight, aerodynamic shape and high-performance batteries. That's double the range of the R1e electric car jointly developed by Subaru and the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
A full recharge at home takes eight hours, but it's designed to also accept a 15-minute quick charge if you're running low.
Although it's small enough to fit into Japan's compact car class along with the Nissan Cube, Subaru claims there's room for five in the G4e.
Ford Fiesta: October 2007The Verve concept (Frankfurt Motor Show, September 2007) gave more than a few clues, but here's the real thing: the new-generation Fiesta, on sale next summer.
It should be sportier and more attractive than the deadly-dull current
model, anyway, and we already know that it'll be a decent drive: it
will share its underpinnings, and powertrains, with the
already-launched Mazda2.
Ford's plans for the Fiesta include attempting to attract younger
buyers back to the range (though some may be more tempted by the
upcoming new Ka): we'd predict full iPod connectivity and all the
latest in in-car entertainment and communications technology, for a
start.
In the meantime, Ford is working on the Fiesta's handling
characteristics (we wouldn't rule out a hotted-up ST version, though a
full-on RS is very unlikely in the near- to medium-term) and also its
global potential: a version for the increasingly economy-conscious US
market will be unveiled shortly, at the Detroit Motor Show next
January, if not at the Los Angeles event in November.
Tokyo 2007: Honda JazzThe Fit on the Honda stand at Tokyo is about to go on sale in Japan, but in Europe we have to wait another year before it evolves into the MkII Jazz.
It's slightly longer and wider than the current big-selling mini-MPV and has only marginally revised looks. As well as freshening up the appearance, the new nose should also help secure another Euro NCAP star by improving the car's pedestrian protection.
The petrol tank retains its forward location, leaving space for the
versatile 'Magic' rear seats. Expect a diesel engine to be available
for the first time.
Fiat 500The world has waited for this car like few others. And now, 50 years to the day after the launch of the diminutive, rear-engined infra-mini that mobilised Italy, the new 500 is launched. This one is based on a modified Fiat Panda platform which will also underpin the next Ford Ka, yet it keeps the same shape as its antecedent, just Xeroxed-up by 25% or so.
It is, of course, a front-wheel-drive hatchback this time around, with front-mounted engines broadly as used in the Panda: a 69bhp 1.2, the 100bhp 1.4 already seen in the Panda 100HP, and the usual Fiat 1.3-litre turbodiesel, here giving 75bhp. Future engines will be a 135bhp 1.4-litre turbo for the hot Abarth version and a 900cc turbocharged vertical twin with a balancer shaft. That version should even sound a bit like the original, whose 499cc, air-cooled engine was also a vertical twin.
The UK will get three trim levels, Pop, Sport and Lounge, to which you can add from a hefty catalogue of accessories and extras. You can make your 500 an ice-cool modern interpretation of the original or a temple to retro design; Fiat has calculated there to be 549,936 possible variations in total. Either way, you'll be unable to drive it or even see it without smiling to yourself. An estate-car version is in the future plan, likely to be called Giardinetta ('little garden') like its forbear. There'll be a convertible, too.
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