FIAT SEDICI

Eleganza 1900TD

This is a compact SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), and is easy to park, and yet has a TARDIS like effect, because once you are inside you think that you are sitting in a saloon. There is plenty of leg room in the rear, I know because I am six feet and I tried it out. That's because it has a generous 2500 mm wheelbase. Sedici is 1755 mm wide, 1620 mm high and 4115 mm long – 100 mm lower and 110 mm shorter than average for SUVs in this segment. These dimensions combine to create a car with a compact and urban-friendly footprint, (I loved parking this in the West End), yet a spacious and generously proportioned cabin. It has a number of practical storage facilities, a full-width, top-hinged tailgate, and 60:40 split/folding and reclining rear seats which may be stowed compactly to increase the flat-floor luggage compartment volume from 270 to 670 litres. The hatch space is smaller than some, but there is still plenty of space for the weekly supermarket run, or indeed a fold up buggy.See Pic below.

Apparently Sedici is Italian for sixteen, in reference to its innovative 4x4 drivetrain, and this represents an intelligent evolution of the all-wheel drive genre, combining genuine off-road ability with all the versatility and practicality demanded by the modern family on the move. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in conjunction with Fiat Centro Stile, the new Sedici is the end-product of a recent collaboration between Fiat Auto and Suzuki, and is built at Suzuki’s advanced new Hungarian production facility.

“I wanted to create a compact shape that is sturdy as a whole, with side windows that are low at the front of the windscreen pillar,” says Giugiaro of his work. “This gives the car a distinctive look and is also more practical as far as visibility is concerned.”

As you can see from these pictures it has a very sporty look to it, with a bold and distinctive face and a plunging bonnet line, muscular wings and generous, flared wheel arches. Its large grille, which instantly identifies the Sedici as the latest addition to the Fiat range, is flanked by a pair of powerful, curved headlamps that flow up and outward beneath the bonnet line. They are complemented by twin circular front fog lamps, housed low in the deep front airdam.

From the side, the Sedici features a bold, sloping waistline that accommodates large front quarterlights and generous door mirrors to further enhance all-round visibility. The waistline rises dramatically from the steeply raked, divided A pillar through to the rear lights. The blacked-out B pillar enhances this striking dynamic line and emphasises the Sedici’s generous side glazing, whilst the broad, body-coloured C pillar rises to the roofline above the rear wheel arch rather than at the absolute rear corner of the car.

At the rear, bright, high-visibility tail lamp clusters flank a full width, top hinged tailgate. The Sedici’s all-wheel drive capabilities are visually underscored by its protective, metallic grey front and rear undertrays, sweeping, integral roof rails and robust, black polyurethane side cladding that flows from both front and rear bumpers to offer additional wheel arch protection. This gives it an air of ruggedness, and it isn't a sheep in wolves clothing.

Successfully combining SUV off-road performance with the dynamic agility of a front-wheel drive hatchback, the Fiat Sedici is fitted with a new, on-demand 4x4 system which features an electrically controlled centre differential and three driver-selected operating modes – 2WD, AUTO and LOCK – activated by a three-way transmission control rocker-switch housed in the centre console.

Via a central, electromagnetically controlled multi-plate clutch that transfers engine torque to the wheels with the most grip, you can easily and quickly select a transmission configuration best suited to the most diverse of driving conditions; conventional front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive with torque automatically modulated between front and rear axles, and, at speeds up to 37 mph, full-time four-wheel drive with an ideal, 50:50 torque split between front and rear wheels.

This simple, intuitive, electronic solution does away with the need for any cumbersome and intrusive transfer box gearlevers, (I can still remember wrestling with an old Land rover one) whilst providing optimal traction and driving safety whatever the conditions. Maybe this contributed to a harsher ride. You could certainly feel every bump and manhole cover that was driven over.

The Sedici hasn't been stinted on equipment wise, with ABS anti-lock brakes and EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, four airbags, remote central locking, electric front windows, air conditioning and an eight speaker radio/CD player fitted as standard across the range.

This generous standard equipment package is boosted by a range of innovative, safety and comfort enhancing options such as tinted rear windows, leather upholstery, a Safety Pack incorporating full-length curtain airbags and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), an MP3 player, a 5-disc, centre console mounted CD changer and Fiat’s unique Connect NAV+ satellite navigation system.

Yet the cockpit wasn't cluttered (see pic below) and this was home to one of the best and most effective heating units I have come across. Fogged windows are a bane in my life, and this dealt with them increadily speedily. I also liked the controls on the steering wheel.

There is a 1.9 litre 8v 120 bhp MultiJet turbodiesel (with a six-speed manual gearbox) as the power unit here. It is fitted, as standard, with a particulate trap (DPF) that lowers fine particle pollution, and it easily meet stringent Euro 4 emission levels. A four in line fron ttransvers arrangement it delivers a top spped of 116mph and there are acceleration figures of 34.9, 49.6 and 42.8mpg for the urban, extra urban and combined cycles.

In these environmentally conscious times the CO emmissions are rated at 174.

I found it had speed for acceleration and overtaking when required and in the various drives afforded fine roadholding and cornering. This means that it acts like it looks. I didn't take the Sedici off road to fully test out it's abilities, and there are no mountains in the South East of England, but it rose to every test with determination. Whether you are using this for the school run, supermarket jaunt or holiday, there is plenty that the Seidici has to offer. Oh yes, ant it looks good too.

Expect to pay £15,495 for a total on the road price. (The range starts at £12,495).