RACE track electronic technology has been brought to the high street in the new Fiat Qubo midi-mpv.
It is fitted with eco:Drive, which works using Fiat’s widely acclaimed Blue&Me entertainment and communications system.
F1 and Sports Racing car drivers have on-board computers logging driving data, but the eco:Drive records it onto a USB stick for downloading at work or home afterwards.
Plugging a USB key into an appropriately enabled Blue&Me port allows eco:Drive to record information about your driving style. Inserting the USB into a computer then shows how you performed and how you can become a more efficient driver.
This is the first time that drivers of standard road cars have been able to receive detailed information about how they are operating their car by exporting it to their computer.
The system analyses driving techniques and awards marks out of 100, providing a score on an ecoIndex. This shows how efficiently you have driven based on your acceleration, deceleration, gear changes and speed. Step-by-step tutorials then help you improve the score, showing you how to perfect your driving using information from your own journeys.
Based on the Grande Punto, four versions of the Qubo will be available when it goes on sale this month with prices ranging from £9,750 to £12,350.
Safety features are a priority, with all models offering driver, passenger and side airbags as well as head restraints and three-point seatbelts for all five seats. ABS anti-lock brakes and EBD Electronic Brake Distribution are also standard fit.
The more highly specified Dynamic model comes with air conditioning, body-coloured and heated electric door mirrors, anodised aluminium interior door handles and dash inlays, height adjustable driver’s seat, roof bars and 16-inch alloy wheels replacing the regular 15-inch items.
The MultiJet engine can be specified with Fiat’s Dualogic six-speed automatic transmission. This can be used as a clutchless manual as well as a full automatic and there’s an economy button to help maximise fuel consumption.
The Fiat Qubo holds the promise of low running costs, offers excellent versatility and plenty of room and is at a price that makes it highly attractive and competitive.
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