The new look (Fiat Seicento Sporting 3dr)

Member Name: northernalex

Product:	Fiat Seicento Sporting 3dr
Date:	27/07/01 (1312 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice looking

Disadvantages: Peformance not too great

I recently took a W reg one of these babies for a test drive and to be honest I was plesently suprised. I have always liked the look of these little cars but, as they only have a 1.1litre engine I have never really considered one.

The sporting model definatly looks the best. The new look is fantastic, even sportier than the W reg that we tried. The outside trim has been adjusted to give it an even more sportier look. The front grill now has a wider mesh on the front skirt and to give the front end of the car a much meaner look (grrrrr!!).

The stripes down the side of the car have been updated too. No longer do you have something that looks like a ZOOM ice lolly. You now have a nice, slim black stripe with the logo "Sporting" on it. Looks better I think.

The back skirt of the car is also changed too. There is no longer a little blue stripe. I liked this and dont like the way that its been remmoved. However the new skirt on the back of the car does, once again, give the car a meaner look.

The internal trim has changed too. The central console now has a chrome type finish, which looks very nice new. I dont know how well it will stand up to the test of time. Still it looks better than the black trim in the old car. The dials are improved too, the fonts have been changed and the background is a new white. Looks nice and sportier.

This car comes with all the features you could want out of a car. It has central locking, power steering, electric windows, manual sunroof and CD player with 4 speakers as standard.

The engine is a nippy 1.1 injection which is very very quiet. Its the same engine that was in the old cinchechento (or however you spell it???) but its been tuned up a bit for better acceleration and top speed. The car will do 0-62mph in 13.5s and combined fuel consumption is about 43mpg. The exra-urban mpg is good at about 55-60mpg.

Driving position is ok, but would be a little bit crampe
d for the taller of us. I had no problems. It felt roomy enough. I am 5ft8.

The seats are comfortable bucket seats to prevent roll on cornering (not that there seems to be any, the ride was very nice with none-little corner roll).

Safety seems to have been a big isue in the design of the sporting. It has a driver airbag (you can get others and ABS for a little extra cash). There is polypropalene impact absorbers. A metal cage surrounding the driver and side impact bars. Safe. Yes

Now to the downsides. The boot is little more than a shelf and you will have difficulty getting even your shopping in there. However the back seats do fold 1/3 2/3
so you do have a bit of choise....

Cheer all
Alex "Eat more pies" Cole

Summary: